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Schedule Changes

Courses can only be dropped and added until the drop/add deadline. Deadlines are listed on the Academic Calendar. After the deadline, you can only withdraw from a course for a W grade. The course will remain on your record and your billing will not change. It is your responsibility to know the deadlines.

WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE

Withdrawing from a course is different than dropping a course, and it is different than withdrawing completely from Hope. Withdrawing from a course means you no longer attend the course, but you made the decision after the drop/add deadline.

There are times when withdrawing from a course is an appropriate option. For example, sometimes when you’re doing poorly in a course or not able to keep up with the workload, withdrawing is your best option. This can prevent a low grade from affecting your academic record and can allow you to focus on your other courses.

IMPLICATIONS

ACADEMIC RECORD

Withdrawing from a course is different than dropping. When you withdraw, the  course remains on your record with a W grade. This is a non-penalty grade; it does not affect your GPA. Even if you retake the course, the W remains for that semester. One or two W grades are not cause for alarm. However, repeatedly withdrawing from courses may affect graduate school and career opportunities. Talk to your academic advisor and/or potential graduate school.

TIME

You do not earn credit for the course from which you withdraw. This may extend the time and cost to finish your degree.

MONEY

You are still charged for the course from which you withdraw; there is no refund. Your attempted credits for the semester will remain the same, although your earned hours at the end of the semester will be reduced.

FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

Federal regulations require that students make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards the completion of their degree. Withdrawing will affect SAP and possibly jeopardize financial aid in future terms. Students who fall behind in their coursework, fail to achieve minimum GPA standards and/or fail the completion of classes risk losing their eligibility for federal and state financial aid. It may also affect external and Hope College scholarships, grants and/or loans. Talk to Financial Aid about how withdrawing from a course affects your personal financial aid package.

BEFORE FINALIZING YOUR DECISION

• Check with your course instructor and/or advisor about alternatives to withdrawing.
• Visit the Academic Success Center to learn about:
  • Tutoring
  • Academic advising and coaching
  • Supplemental instruction
  • General study skills
  • Study skills tutoring
• Check with Financial Aid about aid in future terms.
• If you are an athlete, talk to  about how withdrawing may affect your athletic eligibility.

HOW TO WITHDRAW FROM A COURSE

1. Get email permission to withdraw from the course from the course instructor.
2. Get email permission to withdraw from your academic advisor.
3. Fill out the . Upload screenshots of your permissions to the form. Once we receive your request and all required permissions, we will process it and email you a confirmation.
4. Be sure to submit the form and all required permissions by the withdrawal deadline listed on the Academic Calendar.

PASS/FAIL OPTION

The grading policy page has more information about changing a course to pass/fail.