Withdrawal Process

Before submitting a withdrawal form, students should carefully review the information below regarding academic and financial implications of withdrawing. Students withdrawing from all classes after they have confirmed or paid their bill must initiate a withdrawal through the Office of the Registrar or the Graduate School.

Undergraduate & post-bacc students: Semester Withdrawal Form

Graduate students: Graduate Semester Withdrawal Form

Grading Implications

The grading impact of a withdrawal depends on both the date the student withdraws and the applicable Add/Drop Schedule for the semester. The official withdrawal date is the date the student submits the withdrawal request form, unless otherwise determined by the Registrar’s Office.

Students experiencing extraordinary circumstances should contact the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss a potential Leave of Absence.

  • Students who withdraw on or before the 15th day of classes will not receive grades for any courses. Withdrawals completed between the 16th and 60th day of classes result in a grade of W for all courses. Students are not permitted to withdraw after the 60th day of classes.

  • Each summer course follows the add/drop deadlines associated with its specific part of term.
  • Students who withdrawal on or before the last day to drop without a W will not recieve a grade for that course. Withdrawals completed between the last day to drop without a W and the last day to drop with a W result in a grade of W for that course. Students are not permitted to withdraw after the last day to drop with a W.
  • Part of term details can be found in the Schedule of Classes in MyMSU. To access the Schedule of Classes, log in to MyMSU, select the Campus Apps & Resources tab, and click the Schedule of Classes tile.

Financial Implications

There can be significant financial consequences of withdrawing, depending on how a student funds their semester. An outstanding balance with MSU may be generated even if the withdrawal occurs on or before the last day to drop classes without a W.

  • Using the date of first contact, the Office of Financial Aid determines how much federal financial aid a student has earned and how much must be returned, in accordance with federal regulations. This policy applies to students who withdraw prior to completing 60% of the semester.
  • Any federal funds that were not earned will be returned to the Federal Department of Education. Students are responsible for paying any resulting outstanding balance through Student Accounts.
  • A similar evaluation is completed for state and institutional aid.

  • Private loans are not subject to federal financial aid regulations and instead follow lender-specific policies regarding withdrawal impacts. In most cases, private loans do not get returned and remain as loan debt to be repaid. Students are responsible for checking with their lender to confirm their specific repayment requirements.

  • Institutional scholarships and waivers may be canceled or returned based on the timing and conditions of the award. For example, if a scholarship is designated for tuition and tuition charges are removed, the scholarship will be removed. Other adjustments may be made to offset charges to the student account after charges are revised. Students are responsible for paying the remaining balance through Student Accounts.
  • Externally funded scholarships are subject to individual requirements regarding withdrawal impacts. Students should contact their scholarship provider to confirm the impacts of withdrawing.

  • Veteran Benefits: Students may be required to repay veteran benefits regardless of withdrawal timeframe. Students should contact the Veteran Services Office to discuss the impacts of withdrawing.
  • Voc Rehab: Students’ future funding may be impacted if they withdraw. Cases are handled on an individual basis, and students should contact their Voc Rehab Counselor to discuss their situation.

  • Students who elect MSU health insurance will lose coverage upon withdrawal. The Wellness Center Basic Needs Navigator can assist students with identifying alternative health insurance options.
  • Students who have not used their MSU health insurance during the semester will receive a full refund.

  • Students with an approved Contract Release Form will be issued a refund according to the Room and Board Refund Schedule. The refund period is determined by the date the student checks out of their residence hall.
  • Students should contact the Community Director of their residence hall to discuss the Contract Release Form.
  • Students who cancel their housing contract before the end of the contract period (end of spring semester) will be assessed a $300 cancelation fee.

  • The registration fee, tuition payment plan processing fee, orientation fee, ID fee, late fees, social fee, foreign student fee, bookstore fees, and dorm deposit are non-refundable.

Fall 2026 Semester Withdrawal - Reduction of Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees are reduced according to the following timeline. The reduction does not guarantee a refund, and students should review the financial implications of withdrawing outlined above.

Part of Term

Term

Date

100%

Reduction

90%

Reduction

75%

Reduction

50%

Reduction

0%

Reduction
Full Semester Session Aug 26 - Dec 17 Aug 25 Aug 26 - Sept 1 Sept 2 - Sept 9  Sept 10 - Sept 16 Sept 17 
First Session  Aug 26 - Oct 16 Aug 25 Aug 26 - Aug 28 Aug 29 - Sept 2 Sept 3 - Sept 8 Sept 9 
Late Start Sept 8 - Dec 17 Sept 7  Sept 8 - Sept 14 Sept 15 - Sept 21 Sept 22 - Sept 28 Sept 29 
Second Session  Oct 19 - Dec 17 Oct 18 Oct 19 - Oct 21 Oct 22 - Oct 26 Oct 27 - Oct 29 Oct 30
Non-Standard Term Dates* Aug 26 - Dec 17 Aug 25 Aug 26 - Sept 1 Sept 2 - Sept 9  Sept 10 - Sept 16 Sept 17 
Multiple Terms Combined**  Aug 26 - Dec 17 Aug 25 Aug 26 - Sept 1 Sept 2 - Sept 9  Sept 10 - Sept 16 Sept 17 

*Non-Standard Term Dates refers to courses that do not conform to any other part of term. These are usually highly specialized courses. 

**Multiple Terms Combined refers to a class schedule that combines two or more parts of term.