Many students become confused by the difference between “canceling” and “withdrawing” and how these affect tuition charges and grades.
Cancellation is the term OU uses if a student drops all classes before classes begin. Canceling enrollment removes all tuition charges and all record of enrollment. No grades are recorded.
Complete Withdrawal occurs when a student drops all classes after classes begin. When complete withdrawal occurs before tuition obligation deadline, there are no tuition charges. When the student withdraws after the deadline, the student will be charted full tuition rates.* A complete withdrawal from the University results in a "W" (withdrawal) assigned to each course enrolled for the term on the academic transcript.
*Federal regulations required the First Time Title IV Attendees (students receiving federally guaranteed financial aid for the first time at OU) will be charged on a different schedule if they withdraw from school after classes begin. Refund schedules for students in this category are available on request.
Current undergraduate students may cancel enrollment by completing an online petition, which will be sent to Graduation and Persistence Support (GPS). The student will be contacted directly to discuss the situation or gather additional information.
For summer enrollments, petitioning is not required. Students may cancel their enrollment through ONE.
If you are a prospective student admitted for an upcoming term and wish to decline admission or withdraw your application, please email admissions@ou.edu or contact your OU admissions counselor.
Graduate students may contact the Office of Enrollment Services by emailing enroll@ou.edu or by calling 405-325-4147.
A student who experiences an interruption due to unforeseen or extenuating circumstances and chooses to leave the institution must officially withdraw from the University of Oklahoma through the Complete Withdrawal Process. A complete withdrawal from the University results in a "W" (withdrawal) assigned to each course enrolled for the term on the academic transcript.
During the first three weeks of classes, undergraduate students requesting a Complete Withdrawal from the University must complete an online petition at link.ou.edu/withdraw to be processed through Graduation and Persistence Support (GPS). The student will be contacted directly to discuss the situation or gather additional information.
Beginning the fourth week, undergraduate students requesting a Complete Withdrawal must complete an Online Petition for Complete Withdrawal, which will be sent to the Academic Advising Lead of the college in which the student is enrolled for consideration. The College Academic Advising Lead will contact the student directly to discuss the implications and feasibility of withdrawing, as well as any alternative academic options that may exist. Documentation of extreme extenuating circumstances will be required. When possible, students are expected to continue attending classes until such time the Petition for Complete Withdrawal is approved. Once the petition has been approved for a complete withdrawal for the semester, students will receive a grade of “W” for all courses.
The dates to withdraw from courses for the summer semester are:
Prior to these deadlines, undergraduate students requesting a Complete Withdrawal should contact Enrollment Services at enroll@ou.edu or (405) 325-4147 to request a complete withdrawal. After the deadline, undergraduate students requesting a Complete Withdrawal must complete an Online Petition for Complete Withdrawal, which will be sent to the Academic Advising Lead of the college in which the student is enrolled for consideration. The College Academic Advising Lead will contact the student directly to discuss the implications and feasibility of withdrawing, as well as any alternative academic options that may exist.
Documentation of extreme extenuating circumstances will be required. When possible, students are expected to continue attending classes until such time the Petition for Complete Withdrawal is approved. Once the petition has been approved for a complete withdrawal for the semester, students will receive a grade of “W” for all courses.
A student is allowed only five grades of W throughout the course of their undergraduate career at The University of Oklahoma. Once a student reaches this maximum number of W grades, they will not be allowed to drop any courses after the free add and drop period. After the five-drop limit has been reached, students with extreme, extenuating circumstances may apply for an exception to the limit on W grades through the Academic Advising Resource Center. Complete withdrawals do not count in this limit.
Graduate students withdrawing from the University should contact Enrollment Services at enroll@ou.edu or (405) 325-4147 during the first two weeks of classes (Fall/Spring) and the Graduate College Office beginning the third week of classes.
Graduate students withdrawing from all courses in the first six weeks of classes (first three weeks of a summer session) receive a grade of "W" in each course of enrollment. Beginning with the seventh week (fourth week of a summer session) through the last day of classes of the semester or summer term, these students must receive a grade of W or F from the instructor in each course upon withdrawal.
To begin the graduate college withdrawal process, graduate students must complete a Request for Withdrawal — Current Term. Withdrawn students are refunded fees and tuition according to the State Regents’ refund policy.
A student will be held responsible for the cost of room and board when either or both are furnished by the University.
The refund policies listed describe the financial obligation of students who withdraw from classes after the official beginning of a semester. Students are advised to read these refund policies carefully to determine which apply to their specific circumstances.
