HARDSHIP WITHDRAWLS
Hardship Withdrawal Process
If a student experiences significant personal hardship (e.g., medical or family emergency, prolonged illness), SCO can approve a hardship withdrawal from all courses in the term for which a student is currently registered. Please note that class rigor or poor performance in class is not considered a hardship.
In the case of an approved hardship withdrawal from all courses, the Registrar will assign grades of W for those classes. The deadline for final approval of a hardship withdrawal by SCO is the withdrawal deadline of the semester following the semester for which the hardship withdrawal is sought (e.g., withdrawal deadline of summer semester is the deadline for a spring semester hardship request). A hardship withdrawal cannot ordinarily be used to withdraw selectively from some courses while remaining enrolled in other courses. Selective withdrawal will be permitted only under exceptional circumstances, as determined by SCO.
In order to request a hardship withdrawal, students should contact SCO to discuss their circumstances. Students will be required to submit a written request for the hardship from their UGA email. SCO may also require that the student provide documentation related to their expressed hardship.
While faculty and staff can certainly suggest that a student pursue a hardship withdrawal, they can not determine whether a withdrawal will be granted.
If a student experiences significant personal hardship (e.g., medical or family emergency, prolonged illness), SCO can approve a hardship withdrawal from all courses in the term for which a student is currently registered. Please note that class rigor or poor performance in class is not considered a hardship.
In the case of an approved hardship withdrawal from all courses, the Registrar will assign grades of W for those classes. The deadline for final approval of a hardship withdrawal by SCO is the withdrawal deadline of the semester following the semester for which the hardship withdrawal is sought (e.g., withdrawal deadline of summer semester is the deadline for a spring semester hardship request). A hardship withdrawal cannot ordinarily be used to withdraw selectively from some courses while remaining enrolled in other courses. Selective withdrawal will be permitted only under exceptional circumstances, as determined by SCO.
In order to request a hardship withdrawal, students should contact SCO to discuss their circumstances. Students will be required to submit a written request for the hardship from their UGA email. SCO may also require that the student provide documentation related to their expressed hardship.
While faculty and staff can certainly suggest that a student pursue a hardship withdrawal, they can not determine whether a withdrawal will be granted.
Deadlines & Potential Impacts
If the hardship withdrawal process is not complete by the withdrawal deadline of the following semester, a student must appeal for a retroactive hardship withdrawal from the Educational Affairs Committee. More information about withdrawals can be found in the UGA Bulletin.
SCO will not process any hardship withdrawals between the last day of classes and the first day of the subsequent semester due to final exams and grades processing. Students may contact the office to discuss the process during this time, however, no decision on the request will be made until the following semester. Students should be mindful of this in regards to academic status, financial aid eligibility, or any other processes that involve an end of semester checkpoint.
Students should be aware that receiving a hardship withdrawal or a retroactive hardship withdrawal may affect their statuses with various university entities. It is the responsibility of the students to contact other university offices to determine how the decision to withdraw may affect them.
Withdrawing may affect a student’s financial aid. The impact on financial aid may include, but is not limited to, mandatory repayment of already disbursed funds. Students should contact Student Financial Aid and Bursar & Treasury Services prior to requesting the withdrawal.
Students should also contact any other appropriate offices (e.g. University Housing, Office of Global Engagement, Dining Services, Academic Advising, etc.) if there are any questions concerning the possible impact of withdrawing. Additionally, veterans and dependents of veterans who are receiving educational benefits must notify the Office of Veterans Educational Benefits of any course load reduction (Office of the Registrar 706-542-4040).
If the hardship withdrawal process is not complete by the withdrawal deadline of the following semester, a student must appeal for a retroactive hardship withdrawal from the Educational Affairs Committee. More information about withdrawals can be found in the UGA Bulletin.
SCO will not process any hardship withdrawals between the last day of classes and the first day of the subsequent semester due to final exams and grades processing. Students may contact the office to discuss the process during this time, however, no decision on the request will be made until the following semester. Students should be mindful of this in regards to academic status, financial aid eligibility, or any other processes that involve an end of semester checkpoint.
Students should be aware that receiving a hardship withdrawal or a retroactive hardship withdrawal may affect their statuses with various university entities. It is the responsibility of the students to contact other university offices to determine how the decision to withdraw may affect them.
Withdrawing may affect a student’s financial aid. The impact on financial aid may include, but is not limited to, mandatory repayment of already disbursed funds. Students should contact Student Financial Aid and Bursar & Treasury Services prior to requesting the withdrawal.
Students should also contact any other appropriate offices (e.g. University Housing, Office of Global Engagement, Dining Services, Academic Advising, etc.) if there are any questions concerning the possible impact of withdrawing. Additionally, veterans and dependents of veterans who are receiving educational benefits must notify the Office of Veterans Educational Benefits of any course load reduction (Office of the Registrar 706-542-4040).
