Withdrawals and Forfeitures
Withdrawals
Students who withdraw may be entitled to a refund of all or a portion of the tuition for a given quarter depending on the time of the quarter the withdrawal is completed. Please note: Calendar days include weekends and holidays.
- by the 7th calendar day of the quarter – pay no tuition
- between the 8th & 30th calendar day* of the quarter are required to pay half tuition
- after the 30th calendar day* of the quarter are required to pay full tuition
*21st calendar day in Summer Quarter
Forfeitures
If you make a change to your schedule that results in a lower tuition charge after the 7th calendar day of the quarter, you are charged a tuition forfeiture fee. This also applies if you withdraw completely from all of your courses.
You are charged one-half of the tuition reduction (50% forfeiture) for classes dropped from the 8th through the 30th calendar day of the quarter during Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters or from the 8th to the 21st calendar day of Summer quarter. If you drop from one tuition rate to another such as dropping below full-time or dropping from over 18 credits to below the 18 credit surcharge threshold, you will be charged the tuition rate for the number of credits that you are now taking, plus one-half of the difference between full-time tuition and your new rate.
Forfeiture may be cancelled for specific reasons (see chart below). If your circumstance falls within the stated guidelines, and you fill out a petition and provide the required supporting materials, you may have the forfeiture cancelled. If you include a letter with your supporting materials, it must be dated and have a handwritten signature. Letters with typed signatures are not acceptable. Photographs are not considered acceptable supporting materials.
Tuition Forfeiture Petition Eligibility
- You were unable to drop your course(s) without forfeiture (during or before the first week of the quarter) because of an extenuating circumstance beyond your control.
- The Tuition Forfeiture Petition is submitted within one year of the quarter being petitioned.
- Tuition Forfeiture Petitions will not be processed once a degree has been conferred.
Tuition Forfeiture Petitions will be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar within 2-3 weeks of the petition’s initial submission date.
Please be aware: The Petitions Committee’s decision is final – appeals will not be accepted.
For more information, please read the full UW Guide to Forfeitures and Withdrawals policy on-line.