Withdrawing from the University

Before Classes Begin

A total withdrawal from the University means that the student drops all courses for that semester. Withdrawing from the University can cost you both time and money! Only withdrawals prior to the first day of classes (beginning of term) are eligible to receive a 100% adjustment of tuition and fees. A student who preregisters for classes and decides not to attend prior to the beginning of that term may access PipelineMT to withdraw from all classes selected during preregistration.

Please refer to the Registration Guide for all deadlines associated with withdrawing from courses, and carefully review the Tuition and Fee Adjustment Information for guidance regarding calculating fee adjustments. Once you have reviewed the fee adjustment information and spoken to the MT One Stop, and you have still decided to withdraw from the University, follow the procedures below.

How to Withdraw from the University Prior the Start of the Semester:

1. Log into PipelineMT.
2. Click on the Registration and Student Records link.
3. Click on Add/Drop Classes.
4. Select ‘Drop/Delete’ from the drop down menu next to each class.
5. Click Submit.
6. View your class schedule to be sure that no classes are listed.

After Classes Begin

Have you already stopped attending? If so, you need to go to the MT One Stop to discuss how this will affect your financial aid, housing, progress toward graduation, and other issues. They can help you with the withdrawal process, if needed. Click here for instructions on how you can view your reported attendance in PipelineMT. Please refer to the Registration Guide for all deadlines associated with withdrawing from courses that you’ve been attending, and carefully review the Tuition and Fee Adjustment information for guidance regarding calculating fee adjustments.

Students can withdraw with a grade of W through the 60% mark of the semester. After that deadline, students can withdraw from all classes with a grade of W or F (depending on instructor discretion) through the last day of classes. After the final exam period for the term, you are not allowed to drop/withdraw from classes unless you can provide documentation of extenuating circumstances. Students should take all documentation to the MT One Stop to inquire about the possibility of a withdrawal. 

Students who receive the Federal Pell Grant or Federal Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal TEACH Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, or Federal Direct Loans must complete at least 60% of the semester to earn 100% of their aid. If you are officially withdrawing before completing 60% of the term, then MTSU must perform a Federal Return of Title IV Funds Calculation. The Return Calculation is based on the premise that students “earn” federal financial aid for each calendar day that they attend classes. This means that the University may be required to return all or part of your aid to the federal government if you withdraw before completing your classes. Additionally, any state aid (e.g., Tennessee Student Assistance Award or Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarships) and scholarships may be cancelled if you withdraw during the first 14 days of classes. You will also still be responsible for paying any applicable tuition and fees for the courses you attempted but did not complete. Anytime a Return Calculation is performed, the student is likely to owe a balance to the University. It is very important that you attend your courses!

In addition, if you officially or unofficially drop below half-time status, MTSU must notify your loan servicer that you are no longer enrolled and your six month grace period for loan repayment will begin on the date of your withdrawal. You will be sent an email requesting that you complete Loan Exit Counseling and make preparations to begin repayment of your loan.

Finally, withdrawing from classes has a negative impact on your eligibility to receive financial aid in the future. The federal government requires that every student must maintain a certain standard of Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. In short, this means that you are required to pass 67% of all attempted hours in order to remain eligible to receive financial aid. When you drop courses after the census date, it results in your pass rate dropping. Click here to view the financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy.

Once you have reviewed the fee adjustment information and spoken to the MT One Stop, and you have still decided to withdraw from the University, follow the procedures below.

How to Withdraw from the University After the Semester Begins Through the Withdrawal Deadline*:

1. If you withdraw during the first 14 calendar days of the semester, you will receive no grade and a 75% fee adjustment.
   1. Log into PipelineMT.
   2. Click on the Registration and Student Records link.
   3. Click on Add/Drop Classes.
   4. Select ‘Drop/Delete’ from the drop-down menu next to each class.
   5. Click Submit.
   6. View your class schedule to be sure that no classes are listed.
2. For the next fee adjustment time frame, you will receive a grade of “W” and a 25% fee adjustment. Follow steps 1-6 above to drop all courses.
3. For the following withdrawal time frame through the withdrawal deadline, you will receive a grade of “W” and no fee adjustment. Follow steps 1-6 above to drop all courses.
4. After the withdrawal deadline for each semester, you must submit a signed drop/add form to drop for individual courses. You will receive a “W” grade and no fee adjustment.
5. After the withdrawal deadline for each semester, you can drop all classes on Pipeline or by clicking here through the semester Study Day. Your instructor will have the option of assigning a grade of “W” or “F”.
6. Withdrawals after the fourteenth week of the semester will not be considered unless there are extenuating circumstances. The University will not withdraw passing grades. Please contact the MT One Stop for assistance.

*Refer to the Registration Guide for dates and deadlines. NOTE: Accelerated courses have different deadlines.