Late Change in Academic Schedule

You should know:

• Enrollments recorded by the end of the Late Registration/Schedule Adjustment Period, defined for each academic term in the Late Change of Schedule Charts, are considered official.
• Students are solely responsible for taking the correct actions described in the text, charts and forms at Late Schedule Changes to adjust their schedules before, during and after the Late Registration/Schedule Adjustment Period.
• Failure to follow formal withdrawal procedures may result in the assignment of failing grades, an obligation to pay tuition and other fees, and the need to apply for readmission to the University. See also Withdrawals, Student Initiated.

Weeks 1-4:

In the fall and spring semesters, partial and complete withdrawals (i.e., dropping one, some or all classes) should be completed online in the first four weeks of classes. Students may add classes without permission in the first week of classes unless the class is restricted. In the second through the twelfth week of classes, students may add only with instructor permission.

After Week 4:

Withdrawals after the fourth week and prior to the final three weeks (Last 20%) of instruction may be assigned only for serious and compelling reasons. Permission to withdraw during this time shall be granted only with the approval of the appropriate academic administrator as described by campus policy. All requests to withdraw under these circumstances and all approvals shall be documented as prescribed by the campus. The requests and approvals shall state the reasons for the withdrawal. Records of such approvals shall be maintained in accordance with the campus record retention policy.

Last 3 Weeks of Instruction and Retroactive:

In the final three weeks (Last 20%) of instruction, all schedule changes require formal approval. Students should request the change using the appropriate late schedule change form(s).

Withdrawals shall not be permitted during or after the final three weeks (Last 20%) of instruction 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 a grade of Incomplete is not practicable. Withdrawals of this sort may involve total withdrawal from the campus or may involve only one course, except that course grade and credit or an Incomplete may be assigned for courses in which sufficient work has been completed to permit an evaluation to be made. Requests for permission to withdraw under these circumstances shall be handled and filed as indicated in the preceding paragraph, except that such requests must be approved by the faculty and the Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Studies or Assistant Vice President of Graduate Studies; the academic administrators appointed by the president to act in such matters. To ask your instructor for an Incomplete, please review the routing instructions at Student Forms and complete the Request for a Grade of Incomplete (.pdf) form.

Procedures:

Students whose situation is serious and compelling for which there is no viable alternative can file the appropriate form(s) for their student group.

Undergraduate and Second Bachelor's Students

Choose the appropriate form for the term and week at Late Change in Academic Schedule for Undergraduate and Second Bachelor’s Students.

Medical Withdrawal, Undergraduate

Weeks 1-4:Formal approval is not required to drop classes during online registration, but students may wish to have a medical withdrawal notated on their record. To request the notation, complete two forms: the "Medical Withdrawal Verification in Weeks 1-4" form and the "Student Consent and Health Care Provider Guidelines" form.

After Week 4: Submit two forms: the appropriate late change form and the "Student Consent for Health Care Provider Guidelines" form.

Please review Medical Withdrawals for guidance.

Graduate: Masters, Doctoral and Credential Students

Graduate students use only one late schedule change form after the start of classes regardless of the time frame or purpose (e.g., nonmedical and medical withdrawals). Complete the form below and obtain the required signatures as instructed on the form.

Late Change in Academic Schedule for Graduate Students Only (.pdf)

A medical withdrawal usually constitutes complete withdrawal from the University for the academic period in question. Medical withdrawals may be granted solely for established medical purposes and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Medical withdrawals due to illness in the family will be granted only if the attending physician stipulates that the student is needed to care for the family member. To request a medical withdrawal to care for a family member, follow the procedures described below for your student group—undergraduate or graduate—and submit the appropriate forms as required as noted below.

In cases where medical evidence and the specific physical demands and environment of the classes overwhelmingly support withdrawal from only a portion of a student's program of study, a partial medical withdrawal may be permitted. Requests solely seeking a reduced course load without specific and focused medical justification do not demonstrate the required link.

Medical withdrawals will not be granted if the student has taken final exams. Petitions requesting retroactive withdrawals beyond one year after the conclusion of the semester for which the withdrawal is requested will not be considered. In cases of severe illness, students are advised to provide written permission for a representative or, if mentally incapacitated, a student’s legal representative to request a withdrawal on their behalf.

Students seeking a complete or partial medical withdrawal for themselves, or to care for a family member, must take the following steps:

Undergraduate & Second Bachelor’s Students

1. If during Weeks 1-4 and online registration, file two forms to request a medical withdrawal notation on your student record. These forms are optional:

• the “Medical Withdrawal Verification in Weeks 1-4” form and
• the “Student Consent for Health Care Provider Guidelines” form

2. If after Week 4 and the end of online registration:

• File the appropriate Late Change in Academic Schedule form(s).
• For medical withdrawals, also complete the “Student Consent and Health Care Provider Guidelines” form.

3. Prepare required supporting documents and obtain all required signatures following instructions on form(s).
4. Your request must describe a direct correlation between the medical condition and the particular course(s) being petitioned.
5. Submit the completed, signed withdrawal and consent forms along with attachments to the appropriate University administrator as directed on the withdrawal form.

Graduate: Masters, Doctoral, & Credential Students

1. Request any type of medical withdrawal by applying directly to the Office of Graduate Studies.
2. Complete the Late Change in Academic Schedule for Graduate Students Only (.pdf).

1. How will I be notified of the decision?

A decision will normally be made within five (5) business days of receiving the request form and supporting documents. Students will be informed of the decision by email to their CSUN account.

2. What should I do while waiting for the decision?

You should continue to attend class(es) while waiting for decisions.

3. What will happen if my request is granted?

Once you submit your late schedule change request form(s), the approver of your request will send his/her decision directly to Admissions and Records. Please note:

• Any courses for which withdrawals are approved will result in a grade of “W” on student transcripts (a “W” has no academic penalty).
• Dropping classes may result in a prorated refund before the 60% point of the fall or spring semesters. However, reducing the number of enrolled units may affect a student's eligibility for financial aid, campus housing, international student status, and more. Before dropping, review Precautions for Reducing Units.
• Adding units may result in increased tuition and other fees. Dropping classes may result in a prorated refund before the 60% point of the fall or spring semesters. However, adding units after the 20th day of fall or spring instruction will not increase a student's financial aid reward. See What Affects My Aid—Enrollment Requirements.
• Check for charges, fee payment deadlines, and/or refunds in your Student Financial Account in myNorthridge Portal.

Helpful Links:

• Info for regularly enrolled CSUN students
• Info for Open University students enrolled through the Tseng College
• View My Student Financial Account How-To Guide
• What Affects My Aid—Enrollment Requirements