Quick Answer
Academic withdrawal is when a student officially leaves a course or the entire program, either voluntarily (by notifying the Registrar) or administratively (by university decision). Unlike a temporary leave of absence (LOA/PLOA), a withdrawal results in a "W" grade on the transcript, and returning to studies afterward requires a Reentry process.
Before You Begin
- Determine whether the withdrawal will be from a specific course or from the entire program, since the academic and financial impact differs in each case.
- Check the academic calendar to confirm you are within the period in which withdrawal is allowed for that term or semester.
- Have your student ID on hand to submit the request.
How It Works
Voluntary withdrawal occurs when the student decides to leave a course or the entire program. To do so, the student must send an official written notice of intent to withdraw to the Registrar, through the MUST Ticket System available on the Student Portal or by email to registrar@mustedu.com. The Registrar's Office records the reason for and date of the request.
Once approved, a course withdrawal results in a "W" grade on the transcript. This grade is not included in the cGPA calculation, but it is considered in the SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) review, and the course must still be repeated to meet the program's graduation requirements. When the withdrawal is from the entire program, the amount owed or refunded follows the Refund Calculation table, and the student's status changes to "Withdrawn/Cancelled."
In addition to voluntary withdrawal, the university may also initiate an administrative withdrawal for a student, a course, or the entire program in situations such as risk to the safety of others, violation of institutional policies, misconduct, plagiarism or academic dishonesty, or failure to meet financial obligations. This is different from a temporary leave of absence (LOA/PLOA), which has a planned return date established from the start of the request and does not result in a "W" grade.
Step by Step
- Decide whether the withdrawal will be from a specific course or from the entire program.
- Check the academic calendar to confirm you are within the period in which withdrawal is allowed for that term or semester.
- Send the official written notice of intent to withdraw to the Registrar, through the MUST Ticket System on the Student Portal or by email to registrar@mustedu.com.
- Wait for the "W" grade to be recorded and for the amount owed or refunded to be calculated according to the Refund Calculation table.
- If you requested a withdrawal from the entire program and want to return to your studies later, open a Reentry process.
Deadlines and Rules
- Withdrawal from a course is only allowed during the period specified in that term's or semester's academic calendar, not at any time.
- The "W" grade is not included in the cGPA calculation, but it is considered in the SAP review, and excessive withdrawals affect the course completion rate (a quantitative SAP measure).
- Even with a "W" grade, the course must still be repeated to meet the program's graduation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is academic withdrawal?
It is the official departure from a course or the entire program, done by notifying the Registrar (voluntary withdrawal) or determined by the university (administrative withdrawal).
What is the difference between withdrawal and LOA/PLOA?
Withdrawal is the final departure from a course or the program, with a "W" grade recorded on the transcript. LOA/PLOA is a temporary leave, with a planned return date established from the start of the request, and it does not result in a "W" grade. See the "Academic Leave of Absence (LOA/PLOA)" article for more details on this type of leave.
Does the "W" grade hurt my GPA (cGPA)?
No. The "W" grade is not included in the cGPA calculation, but it is considered in the SAP review, and the course must still be repeated to meet graduation requirements.
Can the university request my withdrawal without my asking for it?
Yes. In cases such as violation of institutional policies, misconduct, plagiarism or academic dishonesty, or failure to meet financial obligations, the university may determine an administrative withdrawal for the student, a course, or the entire program.
Will I owe anything when I request a withdrawal?
Possibly. The amount follows the Refund Calculation table. See the "Financial Questions About Leave of Absence, Cancellation, and Return" article for the full financial breakdown.
How do I return to my studies after withdrawing from the entire program?
You need to open a Reentry process. See the "Returning to Studies After 'Withdrawn/Cancelled' Status" article for the full step-by-step process.
Didn't Work? Do This
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| I'm not sure whether I should request a withdrawal or an LOA/PLOA | Open a ticket with the Registrar's Office explaining your situation to receive guidance on which option applies to your case. |
| I already requested a withdrawal and want to know how much I'll owe | See the "Financial Questions About Leave of Absence, Cancellation, and Return" article, or open a ticket with the Finance Office including your student ID. |
| I want to return to my studies after withdrawing from the entire program | See the "Returning to Studies After 'Withdrawn/Cancelled' Status" article and open the Reentry form. |
| Nothing worked | Open a ticket with the Registrar's Office by email at registrar@mustedu.com, describing your question about the withdrawal. |
See Also
In the Knowledge Base
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