Students who find it necessary to cancel their registration or to withdraw from all classes after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the university’s official withdrawal procedures. Failure to follow formal university procedures may result in an obligation to pay fees as well as the assignment of failing grades in all courses and the need to apply for readmission before being permitted to enroll in another academic term.
Any student who is anticipating the need to withdraw from Humboldt State is encouraged to discuss this with his/her academic advisor or with staff at the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, 707-826-4101.
To start the withdrawal process, a student must go to the Office of the Registrar. A student who formally withdraws prior to the end of the fourth week of instruction will have only an appropriate date of withdrawal (no course work) appear on the academic record for that term. A student who formally withdraws after the first four weeks of the semester will have an appropriate date of withdrawal appear on the academic record and all coursework will appear with a grade of “W” (withdrawal) or a “WC” (withdrawal catastrophic) if appropriate circumstances apply. Effective Fall 2009, there is a limit of 18 units of “W” (withdrawal). A student is not allowed to withdraw during the last three weeks of instruction or later except in cases, such as accident or serious illness, where the cause of withdrawal is due to circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control AND the assignment of an incomplete grade is not practicable. Students must notify all course instructors of withdrawal. An instructor has the right to override a “W” grade with a grade of “F” or “NC.” For information regarding deadlines for partial refund upon withdrawal consult the Calendar of Activities and Deadlines and Student Financial Services.
A student who does not plan to return to Humboldt State the next semester must request a leave of absence or REAPPLY to the university upon return. For more information please contact the Office of the Registrar, 707-826-4101.
Students who receive financial aid funds must consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from the university. If a student withdraws from the university, or ceases attendance, a portion of student financial assistance received may be considered unearned and must be returned to the program. Financial aid recipients will be billed for any unearned financial aid and resulting unpaid university charges.
Students who have paid for housing on campus should contact the Office of Housing and Dining Services, 707-826-3451 or by email housing@humboldt.edu concerning refunds.
NOTE: Students must keep their HSU Preferred Email Address correct. Humboldt State University will contact students via the preferred email address with important information.
Requests for withdrawal from course(s) after the twelfth week of instruction (retroactive withdrawal) are seldom granted. Students are expected to formally withdraw from classes or the university prior to the end of the twelfth week of instruction (see Calendar of Activities and Deadlines) if work, personal or health reasons interfere with class attendance or ability to complete work or exams.
Withdrawal from classes or the university after the twelfth week of instruction will be considered only for an accident or serious illness (physical or mental), or for serious personal or family problems where the cause of withdrawal is due to circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control and the assignment of an incomplete grade is not practicable. In addition, extenuating circumstances must be shown to have prevented withdrawal in a more timely fashion. Students may not request a late withdrawal for poor academic performance. Lack of awareness of the withdrawal procedures is not an extenuating circumstance. Such withdrawals result in a WC (withdrawal catastrophic) grade and do not count toward the limit of 18 units of withdrawals.
Requests for retroactive withdrawals must be made in writing and require instructor, department chair, and college dean’s approval. For more information contact the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, 707-826-4101.
HSU students who are in the military reserves or the National Guard of the United States who are called to active duty after the beginning of a semester or summer session have two options they may consider in determining their enrollment status with the university. Normal withdrawal procedures should be followed whenever possible. However, if students are unable to complete the necessary paperwork by coming into the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, or writing a letter of withdrawal, the university shall accept notification from the student or a family member. The Office of the Registrar will verify all notifications. Students may also contact Veterans Enrollment & Transition Services, 707-826-6272, with questions or for assistance with required paperwork. Withdrawals as a result of a verified call to active duty do not count towards the 18-unit withdrawal limit.
A student may choose to do a total withdrawal from all his/her classes, and under a CSU policy, receive a full refund of tuition and fees. This option requires that the student withdraw from every course and receive no grade for any course taken during the semester.
To process this total semester withdrawal, undergraduate students must contact the Office of the Registrar, SBS 133, 707-826-4101 or email at records@humboldt.edu to complete the necessary paperwork and to start the process for refunds; in addition graduate students should notify the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Siemens Hall 213, 707-826-3949.
A student who does not plan to return to HSU the next semester must request a leave of absence. This approved leave of absence will ensure that the student will retain their catalog rights and will allow him/her to register for subsequent terms without reapplying for admission.
If a substantial part of the semester has been completed by the time the student is called for active military duty, the student may meet with each instructor to determine if the assignment of an incomplete grade is practicable. The conditions for completing course work and receiving a final grade should be agreed to between the student and the instructor by completing an Authorized Incomplete form available from any academic department. If the assignment of an incomplete grade is not practicable, then students should be offered the option of withdrawing from the course.
A student who does not plan to return to HSU the next semester must request a leave of absence. This approved leave of absence will ensure that these students will retain their catalog rights and will allow them to register for subsequent terms without reapplying for admission.