Student Forms-Dropping Classes

Information on Dropping a Course and Remaining a Full-time Student

Information on Dropping a Course and Becoming a Part-Time Student

Frequently Asked Questions: Dropping Courses

Do I need to contact any offices prior to dropping to part or full time status?

Please read the form Dropping Courses and Remaining a Full-time Student or Dropping Courses to Part-time Status for more detailed contact information.

Below are some potential contacts for students dropping to Part-Time status. Student dropping courses but remaining Full-time only need to contact the first two offices. See forms above for more detailed contact information.

  1. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid (TOPS) | 1-800-259-5626
  2. LSU Financial Aid & Scholarships  Pleasant Hall | 225-578-3103 | financialaid@lsu.edu | scholarships@lsu.edu
  3. International Services Office 101 Hatcher Hall | 225-578-3191 | isograd@lsu.edu
  4. Office of Veterans Affairs Pleasant Hall | 225-578-3103 | va@lsu.edu
  5. Academic Common Market at LSU, Registrar’s Office | 112 Thomas Boyd Hall | 225-578-1686 | registrar@lsu.edu
  6. Army ROTC 106 Military Science Building | 225-578-2371 | lsu.edu/hss/milsci/
  7. Athletic Tickets 106 Athletic Administration Building | 225-578-2184 | tickets@lsu.edu
  8. Greek Life  472 Student Union | 225-578-2171 | greeks@lsu.edu \
  9. Student Health Center Infirmary Road | 225-578-6271 | studenthealth@lsu.edu 
  10. UREC 102 Student Recreation Complex / 225-578-8601 | urec@lsu.edu   

What does it mean to drop a course?

  • At LSU, students have the option to withdraw from or drop a course by certain pre-established deadlines each semester or term.
  • Students can drop courses without a “W” grade being recorded on their record through approximately the 7th class day of a full fall or spring semester and the third day of class of a summer term. Specific deadlines are listed in the LSU Academic Calendar. 
  • After the last day to drop without a “W” through the last day to drop or resign of the semester, students can elect to drop courses, but will receive a “W” grade or withdrawal recorded on their transcript. Specific deadlines are listed in the LSU Academic Calendar. 
  • Learn more about important semester deadlines:
  • University College Video: Using the Academic Calendar
  • Office of the University Registrar Website: Academic Calendar

Are there consequences to dropping courses?

What are “W” grades?

  • After the last day to drop without a “W” through the last day to drop or resign of the semester, students can elect to drop courses, but will receive a “W” grade or withdrawal recorded on their transcript. Specific deadlines are listed in the LSU Academic Calendar. 
  • A “W” grade or withdrawal is a reflection on your transcript that shows you were enrolled in a course, but did not complete the course. 

If I drop a class, will a “W” grade affect my GPA? 

  • “W” grades or withdrawals, do not affect a student’s GPA.
  • However, the “W” grade will appear on the student’s transcript and students are limited in the number based on the LSU “W” Policy. See below for more information on the LSU “W” Policy.
  • An excessive number of “W” grades may reflect negatively on a student’s record and can delay graduation.

How can I drop a course?

Can I drop all of my courses?

  • In certain situations, it may be in the student’s best interest to drop all of their courses in a semester. This is called a resignation.
  • Refer to the section of our website resigning for additional information on this process. 

What is the LSU “W” Policy?

  • Students are allowed a maximum of 10 course withdrawals during their academic career. 
  • Learn more about the LSU “W” Policy:

What can I do if I need to drop a course, but have used all “W” Grades allowed? 

  • Students can contact their college to determine if they are eligible to appeal to exceed the “W” limit.
  • “W” grades earned via the following methods do not count in the number of drops permitted:
    • Resignation from the university.
    • Courses dropped during the summer term or wintersession.
    • Courses offered through the Division of Continuing Education that students drop.
  • Learn more about the LSU W Policy:

If I drop a class, can it impact being able to continue in my major?

If I drop a class, do I have to retake the class next semester?

If I have an “F” in a course should I drop the class?

  • Students are encouraged to carefully review their course status and consult with their course instructor as needed to determine if their target grade in the course can realistically be accomplished based on their current status.
  • Students earning an “F” in a class will not earn hours for the course and the grade earned will result in a negative GPA impact.
  • Earning an “F” in a class may negatively impact TOPS, scholarships, loans, grants, major, minor, overall, and LSU GPAs.
  • If dropping a course will result in the student becoming part-time, they should consult with appropriate campus offices before dropping a course.
  • Learn more about impacts of dropping courses:

If I have a “D” in a course should I drop my class?

  • Students are encouraged to carefully review their course status and consult with their course instructor as needed to determine if their target grade in the course can realistically be accomplished based on their current status.
  • Students earning a “D-“ or higher in a class will earn credit hours for the course, but depending on degree requirements a grade earned in the “D” range may not be considered degree applicable. Students can consult the LSU General Catalog, their degree audit, or meet with an academic counselor to discuss degree requirements.
  • If dropping a course will result in the student becoming part-time, they should consult with appropriate campus offices before dropping a course.
  • Learn more about impacts of dropping courses:

If I drop a course for which I already implemented grade exclusion, will my original grade still be excluded?  Will I regain my grade exclusion?

  • Withdrawing from a course with a “W” for which a grade exclusion has been implemented will not result in the original grade being excluded. That is the original grade earned (D+ or lower) will still calculate in the student’s GPA.
  • If a student withdraws from a course for which a grade exclusion has been implemented, the student can elect to implement the policy a second time for the same course pending grade exclusion availability. 

However, the utilized grade exclusion will count toward the three courses or 12 credit hour exclusion limit.

If I drop a course with a “W”, can it impact admission to dental or medical school?

  • Applicants to medical and dental schools are evaluated on a variety of factors. 
  • A strong academic record is imperative for successful medical and dental applications. This includes more than just the listed Grade Point Average (GPA).
  • Admissions personnel at medical and dental schools expect to see students demonstrate their preparation for and ability to succeed in medical/dental school by taking challenging courses and completing demanding course loads each semester. Therefore, withdrawing from courses is discouraged. 
  • While there are sometimes extenuating circumstances and each situation is unique, students are encouraged to make every effort to complete each course in which they enroll and perform to the best of their ability. 
  • While one incident of withdrawing from a course that results in a "W" grade on your transcript is not likely to be the sole reason that students are not admitted to medical/dental school, a pattern of such incidents and failure to routinely complete challenging semester course loads (15-16 per semester average) could negatively impact your application.
  • Regardless of whether the final decision results in a "W" grade or completing the course with a less than ideal grade, the focus should be on taking necessary steps to make sure that this is an isolated incident that does not occur again during your college career. 

If I drop to part-time status, can I continue to participate in my University affiliated organization (e.g., Greek life, student organization)?   

  • Eligibility to continue participation in a student organization if part-time, depends on organization requirements and could vary by organization.
  • Students should contact their organization leader to determine their eligibility prior to dropping to part-time status. 

If I drop to part-time status, can I keep my on-campus job?  

  • Students working in department funded student worker jobs should contact their department supervisor regarding continued work eligibility prior to dropping to part-time status. 

If I drop from full-time to part-time status, am I eligible for a refund of tuition and fees?

  • Refund eligibility will vary depending on the time in the semester in which the course is dropped.
  • Refer to the Office of the University Registrar website to view the specific semester Schedule Booklet to determine university refund dates.
  • Students should consult with appropriate campus offices before dropping to part-time status.

If I drop my science lecture class, do I have to drop the corresponding lab class?

  • Generally, students may remain in a lab class if the corresponding lecture course is dropped at midterm or later.

If I drop MATH 1550, 1551, or 1530 do I have to retake the ALEKS PPL Exam?

  • Students dropping MATH 1550, 1551, or 1530 retaking the course in a future semester must still meet the ALEKS PPL test score timeline.   
  • Students should consult the LSU Math Department website for the ALEKS PPL score timeline to determine if the exam needs to be retaken.
  • For more information: https://www.math.lsu.edu/ugrad/ALEKS 

Can Dropping Courses Impact Tops Eligibility?

Note: Students receiving TOPS are encouraged to consult with the LSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (scholarships@lsu.edu; 225/578-3103) or the Louisiana Office of Financial Assistance (custserv@la.gov; 225/219-1012) prior to dropping a class. 

Can I retain TOPS if I drop a class without a “W” and become a part-time student?

  • Students must be enrolled full-time on the 15th day of class each semester to receive TOPS during that semester. The last day to drop a class without a “W” is prior to the 15th class day.
  • Dropping a course without a “W” and becoming a part-time student results in cancellation of the TOPS award and it cannot be reinstated.

Can I retain TOPS if I drop a class with a “W” grade and become a part-time student?

  • Students must be enrolled full-time on the 15th day of class each semester to receive TOPS during that semester.
  • If a student becomes a part-time student following the 15th day of class, they must earn 24 credit hours over the fall, winter session, spring, and summer semesters to retain the TOPS award going forward.
  • In addition, they must maintain continuous enrollment through consecutive fall and spring semesters and maintain the required GPA for specific TOPS award. 

Can I retain TOPS if I drop a class, but remain a full-time student?

  • Students who drop a class with or without a “W” and remain full-time, their TOPS eligibility could be impacted.
  • When dropping classes, students should be mindful that they must earn at least 24 Credit Hours within the TOPS Academic Year to retain their TOPS award.
  • Failure to earn 24 hours results in cancellation of award and it cannot be reinstated without an Approved Request for Exception to the Initial, Continuous, Full-Time Enrollment and/or 24 Hour Requirement.
  • The TOPS Academic Year begins with the fall term of the award year and concludes immediately before the next fall term begins. All intersessions and summer sessions are included.
  • Credit Hours earned during the Intersession between Fall and Spring Semesters will be counted toward meeting the 24 Hours Annual Requirement but not toward Full-Time Enrollment.
  • In addition, students must maintain continuous enrollment through consecutive fall and spring semesters and maintain the required GPA for specific TOPS award. 

Can Dropping Courses Impact Scholarship Eligibility?

Note: Students receiving LSU awarded scholarships are encouraged to consult with the LSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (scholarships@lsu.edu; 225/578-3103) prior to dropping a class.

Note: Students receiving scholarships awarded by entities outside of LSU are encouraged to consult with the entity awarding the scholarship prior to dropping a class.

Can I retain my LSU awarded scholarship if I drop a class and become a part-time student?

  • Dropping a course and going below full-time status could impact a student’s eligibility to retain their LSU awarded scholarship. If the scholarship can or cannot be retained will depend on the scholarship awarded and specific retention requirements.
  • Some scholarships require full-time status through the 15th class day and some through the 24th class day. 
  • Students with LSU awarded scholarships should review specific scholarship retention requirements at lsu.edu/scholarshipretention or contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (scholarships@lsu.edu; 225/578-3103) prior to dropping a course and becoming a part-time student. 

Can I retain my non-LSU awarded scholarship if I drop a class and become a part-time student?

  • Dropping a course and becoming a part-time student could impact a student’s eligibility to retain scholarships granted by entities outside of LSU.
  • Prior to dropping a course and becoming a part-time student, students should contact the entity that awarded their scholarship to discuss eligibility criteria. 

Can Dropping Courses Impact Financial Aid Eligibility? 

Note: Students receiving federal aid are encouraged to consult with the LSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (financialaid@lsu.edu; 225/578-3103) prior to dropping a class. 

I receive federal aid (grants/loans), can I retain my aid if I drop a class?

  • Students who receive federal financial aid and who are not on an academic plan, can retain federal aid if a course is dropped after the last day to add classes.
  • Students enrolled in accelerated sessions or through a program offered through LSU Online should contact the Financial Aid Office & Scholarships (financialaid@lsu.edu;  225/578-3103) to determine how dropping a course may affect their aid.
  • To remain eligible for federal financial aid, students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards at the end of each semester or term:
  • 2.00 minimum cumulative GPA
  • Earn 67% of all hours attempted (includes credits attempted at all schools before and while attending LSU)
  • If extenuating circumstances prevented a student from meeting the requirements, a SAP Appeal may be filed. The appeal must be submitted with accompanying documentation and a completed academic plan by the deadline date given. All supporting documents will be retained in the student’s financial aid file.

I receive federal aid (grants/loans) and I am on an SAP Academic Plan, can I retain my aid if I drop a class and no longer meet the conditions of my academic plan?

  • Students approved to retain their aid while on an SAP academic plan must meet individually established criteria each semester (i.e. credit hours and semester GPA earned) to continue to be eligible to receive federal aid.
  • Students who do not meet their academic plan criteria may not be eligible to receive federal aid in the next semester.
  • The federal aid for the current semester will not be affected.
  • Review the LSU Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy and contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (financialaid@lsu.edu; 225/578-3103) for additional information.

 

 

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