Original Date of Issue: 3/20/13
Revised: 11/21/18, 2/5/20, 6/26/2026

Withdrawal from a Course

Delaware County Community College’s mission is to facilitate learning by providing quality educational programs and services that are student-focused, accessible, comprehensive, and flexible to meet the educational needs of the diverse communities it serves. Students pay tuition and fees, and in return receive the professional educational services of the College. It is our expectation that students attend all class sessions and actively participate in online courses in order to receive grades for courses in which they are enrolled. Sometimes this is not possible, and withdrawal from a course is necessary. Normally, withdrawal from a course is the responsibility of the student, but occasionally the College must withdraw the student.

Students are cautioned that withdrawal from a course could change their status as a full-time student and could affect their financial aid status or any outside benefits (i.e., Veteran’s, TIAA, etc.); however, students withdrawing themselves from a course has no impact on their GPA. Except in the cases of not attending on campus courses or actively participating in online courses during the first week of classes, students are NOT withdrawn from a class because they stop attending. Instead, these students receive a grade that best indicates their level of achievement of all the competencies of the course. Also, it should be noted that the privilege of Student Withdrawal (SW) is NOT permitted for students who violate the College’s Academic Honesty Policy.

Final Grades: If a student’s extensive absence from the class results in a failure in the course, the instructor should assign an NPA grade for Basic, Developmental, and Transitional courses and an FA grade for all other college credit courses. Last day of attendance will be required in reporting the FA and NPA grades.

Withdrawal Options

No Show Withdrawal (NS)

  • Initiated by the instructor.
  • May be issued for students who did not attend an on campus class during the first week of the Fall and Spring terms or the equivalent for accelerated parts of term.
  • May be issued for students who did not actively participate in an online course during the first week of the Fall and Spring terms or the equivalent for accelerated parts of term. (Active participation is defined as completing course-related work [i.e., submitting a class assignment, or participating in online discussion] in the College’s learning management system [i.e., Canvas] or related educational software [i.e., MyLabsPlus, Wiley etc.]).
  • Reported during the second week of Fall and Spring terms or the equivalent for accelerated parts of term.
  • Processed through the Registrar.
  • Course not reflected on final transcripts.
  • No effect on the student’s GPA.
  • Students may be reinstated in the course at the discretion of the faculty member.
  • Student refunds considered in accordance with the College’s Refund Policy

Dropped Course (DC)

  • Initiated by the Student
  • Through the end of Week 3 for Fall and Spring, through the 20% point in the Accelerated, and Summer I & II, and Winter Terms.
  • For any reason.
  • Course not reflected on final transcripts.
  • No effect on the student’s GPA.
  • Student refunds considered in accordance with the College’s Refund Policy

Student Withdrawal (SW)

  • Initiated by the student.
  • From the beginning of Week 4 through Week 10 (through the 60% point for terms less than a full semester).
  • For any reason.
  • Course is reflected on final transcripts with a W.
  • No effect on the student’s GPA.
  • No refunds will be issued.

Administrative Withdrawal (AW)

  • A potential outcome of the Student Grievance process or as a supportive measure through Title IX or Student Conduct.
  • Utilized to address College related incidents that impacted a student’s educational experience.
  • Students are encouraged to meet with the offices of Financial Aid (financial aid recipients), Student Accounts, and the School Certifying Official (VA benefit recipients) to determine the financial implications based on their change in enrollment.
  • If an Administrative Withdrawal is granted, the student will:
    • have the appropriate tuition and fees (but not books and other materials) charges removed from their accounts.
    • Have the appropriate courses removed from their College transcripts.
  • Students may appeal the decision to the individual outlined in the relevant student grievance, Title IX, or Student Conduct process

Approved Emergency Withdrawal (AEW)

  • Initiated in writing by completing an Approved Emergency Withdrawal Request form and appropriate, professional third-party documentation.
  • Must be due to an emergent and extenuating circumstance that occurred during the term and prohibited continued enrollment in one or more courses.
    • Students must be disengaged from all course activity, including accessing the course contents in Canvas, for the semester. Attending in-person courses or accessing courses in Canvas, but not actively participating or submitting assignments, is considered continued enrollment in that course.
    • Extenuating circumstances are limited to:
      • Medical: Serious medical situation (including mental health) that renders a student unable to complete required coursework;
        • Appropriate documentation may include a signed and dated letter from healthcare provider on company letterhead;
      • Military: Unplanned/Urgent military deployment that renders a student unable to complete required coursework;
        • Appropriate documentation may include deployment orders signed and dated by the student’s commanding officer;
      • Serious family emergency (e.g., illness or death) that renders a student unable to complete required coursework.
        • This may include adjustments caregiving responsibilities for a family member or extensive travel for funeral arrangements.
        • Appropriate documentation may include medical information from a family member’s healthcare provider, funeral notices, or other relevant information.
  • Requests may be submitted anytime during the current academic term and no later than 30 days after the end of the current academic term (30 days are counted from the end of final exams).
  • Approved Emergency Withdrawals may only be approved one time for the same event.
  • Students are encouraged to meet with the offices of Financial Aid (financial aid recipients), Student Accounts, and the School Certifying Official (VA benefit recipients) to determine the financial implications based on their change in enrollment.
  • Students are encouraged to speak with their instructor(s), their academic advisor, and/or the Office of Disability Services to determine if alternative arrangements or accommodations are possible.
  • If the request for Emergency Withdrawal is approved, the student will
    • have the appropriate tuition and fees (but not books and other materials) charges removed from their accounts.
    • receive a “W” for the appropriate courses on their transcripts.
  • Students have one appeal to the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee

College Intervention Withdrawal (IW)

  • Initiated through the Code of Conduct or for not meeting special program policies or regulations.
  • The process may be initiated anytime during or after the current term.
  • Decision may be appealed via procedures in the Student Code of Conduct or the Grade Appeal Policy for special programs.
  • No refund of tuition/fees.
  • Course is reflected on final transcripts with a W.
  • No effect on the student’s GPA.