Semester Withdrawal

Photograph of a stop sign

It can be a challenge to juggle school, family, financial needs, work, medical challenges, and all other aspects of life.

We understand that at times it can feel very overwhelming to balance being a student with other responsibilities and life events, but withdrawing may not be your only option.

We encourage you to weigh all your options before withdrawing.

Feeling too overwhelmed to know where to begin? You're not alone. Your academic advisor can help you put together a plan for your next steps.

Impacts of Withdrawing

Visa status is affected by withdrawing, so international students must first contact a coordinator in the Global Engagement Office prior to submitting a Semester Withdrawal Form.

For more information, contact Global Engagement at (406) 243-2288.

Students who receive financial aid and withdraw from a semester may be required to repay financial aid for the current semester, depending on the enrollment requirements for the type of aid that they receive. Eligibility for financial aid in future semesters may also be affected.

To discuss potential financial aid impacts of a semester withdrawal, contact the Financial Aid Office at (406) 243-5373.

If a student stops attending classes without formally withdrawing, they too may be required to repay aid received in the current semester and may be ineligible for aid in future terms.

Students who purchase health insurance with registration will receive a refund and lose coverage if withdrawn during the first fifteen instructional days, unless a letter of medical necessity from a healthcare provider is supplied.

Students who have enrolled in the student health insurance plan and withdraw before the 15th class day will lose coverage and be refunded the entire charge. In order to remain on the student insurance plan, a letter of medical necessity from a healthcare provider must be provided to the Student Insurance Advocate in Curry Health Center at StudentInsurance@mso.umt.edu.

Students who have enrolled in the student health insurance plan and withdraw after the 15th class day will remain on the student insurance plan for the remainder of the semester if the insurance premium is paid.

Students who reside in a University residence hall, University Villages, or Lewis & Clark Villages must notify the proper officials in the UM Housing Office of that they are withdrawing from the semester. Eligibility for student housing is dependent on enrollment.

For more information, contact UM Housing at 406-243-2611. 

Students who have meal plans must contact Campus Dining at dining@umontana.edu to cancel their meal plan. 

Alternatives to Withdrawing

  • Warning: Not all courses are offered with a credit/no credit option.  Check your syllabus or contact the Registrar's Office to verify at registration@umontana.edu.
  • Warning: Major, minor and general education requirements must be taken for a traditional letter grade.  However, if you need to repeat the course anyway, this can help preserve your GPA in the meantime.
  • Great alternative to dropping a course
  • Credit/no credit grades do not impact your GPA
  • Earn credit if you receive the equivalent to a D- or higher
  • May help keep you in good academic standing 
  • May help keep you off financial aid probation/suspension.  Remaining eligible for federal financial aid can be complicated.  You can start by reviewing the Maintaining Eligibility page or contact the Financial Aid Office at (406)243-5373 with specific questions


  • If you are passing (D- or higher) at least one of your courses, it is recommended that you don't withdraw from the semester. Instead, explore dropping some courses so that you can focus on finishing the ones you are passing.
  • Course drop policies vary depending on the time of semester. Speak with your advisor or instructor to see if this is an option for you.
  • After the 15th class day, courses appear on your transcript as W, WP, or WF.  They do not impact your GPA, but they do count as attempted credits.
  • See UM Catalog for details on Academic Policies & Procedures.
  • Contact the Registrar's Office at (406) 243-5600 or registration@umontana.edu for questions about the course drop policy.


  • Consult with your instructor about the option of an incomplete. 
  • May be eligible if you have been in attendance and doing passing work up to three weeks before the end of the semester.
  • May be eligible if, for reasons beyond your control (and are acceptable to the instructor), you have been unable to complete the requirements of the course on time.  Negligence and indifference are not acceptable reasons.
  • The instructor will set the conditions for the completion of your course work.
  • In most cases you have one calendar year (or otherwise established by your instructor) to complete the requirements or an alternate grade (assigned by the instructor) will be assigned.
  • See UM Catalog for the complete policy on incompletes.