Withdrawal from BSU

Withdrawing from the University

Students attending Bowie State University are expected to make regular and consistent progress towards their degree completion. However, sometimes students must interrupt their studies for various reasons. A student may withdraw from a current term anytime between the first and last day of classes of the semester. Students that do not wish to return to the University or students that plan to return to the University in a future term, must fill out/submit the University Withdrawal form (pdf). Please be advised of the following considerations:

  • University withdrawal will result in dropping/withdrawing of all in-progress courses.
  • If withdrawing prior to the end of the drop/add period, students will be dropped from all courses.
  • If withdrawing after the end of the add/drop period up until the last day of classes, students will receive a W in each class.
  • A W will not be considered after the last day of classes. Students will receive the earned grade for the course.
  • If withdrawing with the intention to return, students will have up to a year to enroll in courses without having to apply for readmission. After a year, students will have to apply for readmission through the Office of Admissions. The intention to return must be indicated on the University Withdrawal form.
  • Withdrawing from the University may have financial implications. The effective date of the withdrawal for purposes of any refund is the date that the written withdrawal notice is received by the Registrar’s Office. Please check with the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Student Accounts for additional information surrounding financial implications.  

Medical Withdrawal Requests

Students that need to withdraw from a current term for extenuating circumstances (including serious illness, injury, hospitalization, and impairments to mental health or wellness) are also encouraged to complete the Medical Withdrawal form housed by the Henry Wise Wellness Center. Once submitted, the form will be reviewed by a Medical Review Committee and a recommendation will be made to the Dean of Students. If approved, students who have paid out-of-pocket (not to include grants, student loans, scholarship, tuition remission, or other third-party student support contracts) for tuition and fees may be eligible for a refund that they may not have been eligible for based on the University Withdrawal form alone.  For more information regarding refunds, please reach out to the Office of Student Accounts.

Students completing the Medical Withdrawal form for a current term must also complete the University Withdrawal form to have the withdrawal processed. The considerations listed above apply to all students withdrawing for any reason.

In exceptional cases, a retroactive withdrawal may be granted based on documented requests in which the extenuating circumstances described above significantly impaired the student's ability to complete the semester and officially withdraw by the established semester deadlines. Students requesting a retroactive withdrawal for extenuating circumstances, must fill out the Medical Withdrawal form for consideration. If approved, W grades will be assigned for courses.