Course Add/Drop & Course Withdrawal

Course Add/Drop

ADDING OR DROPPING COURSES

By logging into the portal, myFramingham:

  • Students may add or drop a semester course or course sections without financial penalty in the Day Division if they do so before the end of the sixth academic day (see Academic Calendar calendar).
  • Students may add or drop a quarter course or course sections without financial penalty in the Day Division if they do so before the end of the third academic day (see Academic Calendar).

Please note the if the course if offered through the Department of Graduate and Continuing Education (GCE), financial penalties may occur as the course refunding rules being applied are different than those in the Day Division (see GCE Refund Policies web page).

If the course has prerequisites that are required, a student must obtain written approval from the course instructor for a prerequisite override to be sent an as email to the Office of the University Registrar before the end of the Course Add/Drop period.

Note: Non-attendance does not constitute being "dropped" from a course.  Also, attending a course without having been officially "added" to the course does not constitute enrollment in the course.

WITHDRAWING FROM COURSES

Voluntary Course Withdrawal

Students may withdraw from a course or courses during the period between the end of the Course Add/Drop period through the end of the thirteenth week of the fall and spring semesters (or for a quarter course, no later than the end of the fifth full week of the quarter) regardless of their financial status at the University. Students who withdraw during this period will incur no academic penalty as far as the grade point average is concerned but will have a notation of “W” on their permanent records. Students will be notified of the specific deadlines via email during each semester. Students wishing to withdraw from a course must log onto myFramingham and select the course to drop before the end of the Course Withdrawal period (see semester calendar).

No student may withdraw from a course during the fall and spring semesters after the course withdrawal period ends unless there are extraordinary circumstances (such as documented hospitalization or sickness or the inability to withdraw by the deadline due to technical issues). In such cases, a “W” grade may be authorized with the approval of the Academic Dean of the College in which the course is housed or a designee in consultation with the course instructor and the appropriate academic dean.
Students do not receive grade points for Withdraw (W) grades, but a notation appears on the transcript.

Students who withdraw from all of their courses will be withdrawn from the University effective on the date when the latest voluntary course withdrawal took place. Students who withdraw from the University will need to apply for readmission when they are ready to return.

Administrative Course Withdrawal

Faculty may request that a student be administratively withdrawn from courses for non-attendance or non-participation in course activities. For this purpose, non-attendance is considered 21 consecutive calendar days of failure to engage in the course. At this point, a faculty member may initiate an administrative withdrawal.
Students who are administratively withdrawn from all of their courses will be withdrawn from the University. Students who are withdrawn from the University will need to apply for readmission when they are ready to return.

No refund will be given for nonrefundable deposits, or laboratory or course fees. Tuition and fee refunds will be assessed according to the University’s various refund policies. Withdrawal from courses can impact financial aid and a students’ eligibility for housing, participation in athletics, and Veterans benefits. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the financial aid, housing, athletics department, and Veterans services office in the event of a course withdrawal (if applicable).

An administrative withdrawal will result in a grade of “WN” (withdrawal non-attendance) if classes are withdrawn in the time between the end of the drop period and prior to the end of the 13th week of the semester for the fall and spring semesters or no later than the end of the fifth week of a quarter semester course. Students do not receive grade points for Withdraw (WN) grades, but a notation appears on the transcript.


Course Withdrawal

1. Students have six (6) academic days (Course Add/Drop period) to withdraw from a course with no academic penalty and no notation on their records. Students who withdraw between the third and tenth week of a regular semester (or for a quarter course, no later than the end of the fifth full week of the quarter) will incur no academic penalty as far as the grade point average is concerned, but will have a notation of "W" on their permanent records. See Academic Calendar for exact dates. No student may withdraw from a course during a regular semester after the tenth week unless there are extraordinary circumstances (such as documented hospitalization or sickness). In such cases, with the concurrence of both the Dean of Students or designee and the course instructor, a late "W" may be authorized.

2. Students are no longer required to obtain the signature of the instructor in order to add or drop a course.  All schedule changes are to be made via myFramingham. For First-Year students, please go to the Advising Center in O'Connor Hall for assistance in Withdrawing from an individual course.

3. Students are not officially withdrawn from courses until they have done so through myFramingham. If a student just stops attending a course without officially withdrawing, they will like receive a failing grade as Non-attendance does not constitute a Withdrawal.

Please be aware of non-academic ramifications of Withdrawing (‘W’) from a Course:

  • F-1 student visa holders who are no longer completing 12 semester hours (3 course credits) in the current semester are considered Out-of-Status and therefore will have their F-1 student visa terminated through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  The student will be required to withdraw from the university and leave the country immediately in order to minimize illegal days of overstay.
  • Ineligibility to participate in a NCAA sport in the current semester if no longer completing 12 semester hours (3 course credits) as well as possible ineligibility to participate in the following academic year.
  • Possible loss of Financial Aid assistance in the current academic year if no longer completing at least half-time status (2 course credits).
  • Possible reduction of benefits in the current term if you are a Veteran receiving Chapter 33 Benefits.
  • Possible loss from on-campus housing in the current term if no longer completing 12 semester hours (3 course credits).