Withdrawal and Refund Policy

If a student chooses to discontinue courses in a particular term, one of two classifications will be used to describe the action:

1. Withdrawal - discontinuing all courses; or

2. Reduction of Class Schedule - dropping selected courses rather than all courses for the term

Students who find it necessary to withdraw or reduce class loads must IMMEDIATELY notify the Office of Extension and Distance Education by one of the following means:

1. Writing a letter indicating which courses will be discontinued
   (Mail to: Office of Extension and Distance Education, ASU Box 32054, Boone, NC 28608-2054)

2. Faxing the letter to the Office of Extension and Distance Education (828/265-8673)

3. E-mailing the Coordinator of Registration in the Office of Extension and Distance Education, Sara Speed at: speedse@appstate.edu

Refunds for withdrawals and reductions of class loads are handled differently. Please note the refund policy for each action as noted (underlined) below.

Withdrawal from the University

Students who find it necessary to withdraw (i.e., discontinue all classes) during the term should IMMEDIATELY notify the Office of Extension and Distance Education. Students must notify the Office of Extension and Distance Education by the respective term's "last day to withdraw without academic penalty" (as posted in the academic calendar) in order to avoid an academic penalty (withdrawal/failing).

A refund for a withdrawal from all courses in the term is offered on a pro-rated basis according to the date the request for withdrawal is received from the student. (Specifically, the postmark date on postal mail is used, or the posted date on the fax or e-mail.) The University refund table is maintained in the Registrar's Office.

Reduction of Class Load

Students who wish to reduce their class loads (i.e., drop courses) must IMMEDIATELY notify the Office of Extension and Distance Education. A student can, without limit or penalty, reduce the class load (i.e., drop courses) though the published "Drop-Add" period, which is typically within the first five days of the academic term.

University policy cites that if students reduce their class schedules (i.e., drop courses) during the Drop-Add period, 100% of the difference in tuition and fees between the original and revised schedules will be automatically credited to their accounts and available for refund.

Students who reduce their class loads following the Drop-Add period must do so by the end of the ninth week of the semester in order to avoid academic penalty (i.e., a notation of a failing grade on the transcript). Effective Spring Semester 2002 students who reduce their class schedules (i.e., drop selected courses but do not withdraw from all courses) after the first five days of the academic year term will not be eligible for a refund.