Withdrawal - Drop Courses

Deadline dates for withdrawing from a class may be found:

• on the student’s Schedule/Bill and
• in the online Schedule of Classes in the CRN notes – click on the CRN to view notes.

 

Withdrawing from semester-length classes

Students may withdraw from full semester-length classes through the end of the 14^th week. A grade of “W” will be posted to the academic record for withdrawals that occur between the class census date and the end of the 14^th week. Students still enrolled after the end of the 14^th week will receive a grade other than “W” on their academic record.

The census date for each class is determined by the length of the class and may vary. Consult the online Schedule of Classes or Admissions & Records for more information.

 

Withdrawing from short-term classes

Students may  withdraw from short-term classes through 75% of the total number of class meetings. A grade of “W” will be posted to the academic record for withdrawals that occur between the class census date and the 75% deadline. Students still enrolled after 75% of class meetings will receive a grade other than “W” on their academic record.

The census date for each class is determined by the length of the class and may vary. Consult the online Schedule of Classes or Admissions & Records for more information.

All course withdrawals are completed through your MyVCCCD portal under the Register/Pay tab.

• View the How to Withdraw From a Class Online guide for step by step instructions.

Assistance with completing withdrawals in your MyVCCCD portal is available through the Admissions & Records Office. 

• (805) 289-6457
• vcadmissions@vcccd.edu
• Video Chat
• Office: Student Services Center (SSC)

Students with disabilities may contact the Educational Assistance Center (EAC) for support. 

• (805) 289-6300
• Office: Administration Building (ADM) just south of the Student Services Center (SSC)

Students who do not officially withdraw by the stated deadlines will receive an evaluative grade (A-F, P or NP).

Withdrawal after the final deadline (an Excused Withdrawal) may be permitted if it is determined that extenuating circumstances prevented a student from completing and withdrawing from a course. Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accident, illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. Supporting documentation will be required.

Excused Withdrawal Petition

• Use this petition when you have not dropped the class, or you have a W in the class and you wish to withdraw due to circumstances beyond your control.
  • If approved, a notation of EW will appear on your transcript instead of a letter grade or W.

A graded course that has been used to satisfy degree, certificate or transfer requirements will not be changed to a W.

A grade of “W” is not calculated in the grade point average (GPA). Courses that receive “W” grades are counted as an enrollment attempt and will affect a student’s ability to repeat the class. Students will be blocked from repeating any course in which they have already received three W, D, F or NP grades, in any combination. “W” grades are also counted in the determination of a student’s academic standing, and excessive “W”s will be cause for placing students on progress probation. Students are encouraged to consult a counselor regarding the full impact of “W” grades.

Instructors are required to drop by the census date any student who has never attended class or who has quit attending class. They may drop students who do not attend the first class meeting. The census date for each class is determined by the length of the class and may vary. The census date for each course is listed in the online Schedule of Classes.

Instructors may but are not required to, drop students after the census date for excessive absences. Absence is generally considered excessive if a student misses 1/9 or more of the total number of classes (2 weeks of a full –semester class); however, the nature of the class may require a stricter absence policy. Consult the class syllabus or instructor for more information.

General Information

Excused Withdrawal (EW) shall not be counted in progress probation or dismissal calculations nor shall it be counted towards the permitted number of withdrawals or counted as an enrollment attempt. An EW is acceptable when a student withdraws from a course due to reasons beyond their control and must be supported by verifiable documentation. Effective on or after January 2018, grade changes may be requested by the student no more than three (3) years after the term in which the grade was awarded, per VCCCD AP 4231. Grade changes for terms prior to January 2018 cannot be considered. A change of academic grade to Excused Withdrawal (EW) will be recorded only after this petition has been completed, determined to meet the requirements of the policies of the VCCCD, and approved. We recommend you contact your Counseling Office, Financial Aid Office, Transfer Office or other programs in which you are enrolled (ex: CalWorks, EOPS, Veterans, etc.) to better understand the potential consequences for requesting an Excused Withdrawal.

Excused Withdrawal Petition

• Use this petition when you have not dropped the class, or you have a W in the class and you wish to withdraw due to circumstances beyond your control.
  • If approved, a notation of EW will appear on your transcript instead of a letter grade or W.

What does it mean to receive an Excused Withdrawal (EW)?

• An EW grade will not affect your GPA and will not count as an attempt.

• An EW grade will not affect your academic progress status.

• An EW will not be eligible for a refund.

• Students receiving Financial Aid should contact the financial aid office regarding the impact an Excused Withdrawal may have on their financial aid, depending on the circumstances, prior to submitting this request.

• An EW grade may affect other benefits such as GI Bill® benefits. (Contact requisite VA offices, etc. for more information).

• If you are a member of a special program such as CalWORKS, EOPS, Veterans, etc. Please contact your program office.