Last Modified: Thursday, October 2, 2025 11:26 am
Undergrads – What Happens if I Withdraw from My Classes in the Fall (8/29 – 12/17)?
Before the Semester Starts:
- Tuition and fees charges are canceled by Student Accounts; room and meal charges may be prorated if you were in on-campus housing.
- Financial Aid awards are canceled by The Financial Aid Office.
- Courses do not appear on academic transcripts.
Between 8/29 – 9/8:
- Tuition and fees charges are 100% cancelled.
- The Federal Calculation formula is required based on the official withdrawal date. This calculation will determine how much federal aid (Pell, SEOG, Stafford and/or PLUS loans) must be returned to the government.
- NJ state aid (TAG, EOF, NJSTARS and/or Distinguished Scholarship) not applied to billed charges must be canceled.
- If State grants were credited to the bill, they must be adjusted based on NJHESAA policy.
- Check NEST and your University email for updates.
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
Between 9/9 – 9/25:
- Tuition and fees are reduced (50%).
- Courses will have a W/D grade.
- The Federal Calculation formula is required based on the official withdrawal date. This calculation will determine how much federal aid (Pell, SEOG, Stafford and/or PLUS loans) must be returned to the government.
- NJ state aid (TAG, EOF, NJSTARS and/or Distinguished Scholarship) not applied to billed charges must be canceled.
- If State grants were credited to the bill, they must be adjusted/canceled based on NJHESAA policy
- Check NEST and your University email for updates.
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
Between 9/26 and 11/3:
- Billed charges do not change.
- The Federal Calculation formula is required based on the official withdrawal date. This calculation will determine how much federal aid (Pell, SEOG, Stafford and/or PLUS loans) must be returned to the government.
- Disbursed State grants are not changed.
- NJ state aid (TAG, EOF, NJSTARS and/or Distinguished Scholarship) not applied to billed charges must be canceled.
- Check NEST and your University email for updates.
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
On or After 11/4:
- Billed charges do not change.
- Federal Calculation formula is not required.
- If state grant funds were disbursed prior to the withdrawal date, state grants are not changed.
- NJ state aid (TAG, GSG, EOF, NJSTARS and/or Distinguished Scholarship) not already disbursed is cancelled.
Definitions
Official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence – Fall Semester Official Withdrawal: is when you withdraw from ALL of your classes via NEST and complete the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence process for the semester in question.
Official Withdrawal Date Policy: The official withdrawal date is final and cannot be changed under any circumstances*. If a student officially withdraws from the university, the Financial Aid Office must use this date to complete the required Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations.
Please Note: Any academic withdrawal or institutional refund granted by the University through an appeal is a separate process and does not affect the federal R2T4 calculation.
*If a student can prove they never attended the University, they must notify the Financial Aid Office immediately.
Unofficial Withdrawals: is when a student leaves without notice or ends the semester with “0” credits through any combination of “F’s” and/or “WD’s” for all courses.
- The Federal calculation will apply for federal financial aid (Pell, FSEOG, Stafford Loans and/or PLUS Loans). The University may use any of the following dates that best represents the last documentable date of attendance:
- Last date of attendance of an academic-related activity
- Date provided by an instructor
- Midpoint of the semester
- NJ State aid (TAG, EOF, NJSTARS, GSG and/or Distinguished Scholarship) not disbursed must be canceled based on NJHESAA policy.
- If the University is unable to document a student’s last date of attendance in an academically related activity, 50% of the total State aid will be returned in accordance with NJHESAA policy.
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
What counts as academically related activity?
Examples of Academic Engagement:·
- Attending a live (in-person or online) class, lab, or lecture with instructor-student interaction
- Submitting assignments
- Taking exams or assessments
- Participating in interactive tutorials, webinars, or group work assigned by the school
- Communicating with an instructor about academic topics
- Not considered academic engagement:
- Withdrawing from some courses (not all courses)
- Living in campus housing
- Using a meal plan
- Logging into a class without participating
- Attending academic advising without academic discussion
Partial Withdrawals
If you are a full-time student (12 credits or more) with disbursed State Grant funds who withdraws from some of your classes during the tuition pro-ration period, you will lose a portion of your State Grants and, in most cases, you will owe money to the University.
Impact of Withdrawals on Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) – Withdrawals and F grades impact your continued eligibility for financial aid due to federal requirements. Review the SAP policies.
Modular Courses
Withdrawal Policy for Modular Courses
Be aware that the withdrawal dates vary for any courses or programs offered in a modular format (courses that do not span the full term). Federal return of funds will be calculated based on the dates for individual courses/programs per federal regulations. Federal financial aid eligibility is based on continued attendance in all scheduled modules. Failure to complete or begin scheduled modules may result in the recalculation of your financial aid. State return of fund rules also apply.
What Happens If You Withdraw from a Modular Course?
A student is considered to have withdrawn when a student ceases enrollment at any point prior to completion of the payment period unless the student:
- Successfully completes 6 credits in the payment period or
- Successfully completes one course or a combination of courses that includes 49 percent or more of the payment period
If a student officially withdraws from all modules, or is considered to have stopped attending, the Financial Aid Office is required to perform a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation.
The withdrawal date used for R2T4 purposes will be based on the last date of attendance or the official withdrawal date, whichever is applicable.
If a student completes at least one module that spans 49% or more of the term (or all modules scheduled), they may be considered not withdrawn for federal aid purposes.
What Is Considered a Withdrawal?
| Scenario | Considered a Full Withdrawal? | Financial Aid Calculation Required? | Notes |
| Student drops a future module (has not started) while attending a current module | No | No | As long as the student is currently attending, this is not a full withdrawal. |
| Student withdraws from a current module but is still enrolled in a future (not-yet-started) module | No | Yes | Financial aid may be recalculated. Student must notify intent to return. |
| Student withdraws and does not notify the university of intent to return for a future module | Yes | Yes | Student may be considered fully withdrawn. A Return of Funds may be required. |
| Student successfully completes 6 credits but withdraws from rest of courses | No | No | If the student successfully completes 6 credits, the student is not a withdrawal |
Graduates – What Happens if I Withdraw from My Classes in the Fall (8/29 – 12/17)?
Before the Semester Starts:
- Tuition and fees charges are canceled by Student Accounts; room and meal charges may be prorated if you were in on-campus housing.
- Financial Aid awards are canceled by The Financial Aid Office.
- Courses do not appear on academic transcripts.
Between 8/29 – 9/8:
- Tuition and fees charges are 100% cancelled.
- The Federal Calculation formula is required based on the official withdrawal date. This calculation will determine how much federal aid (Stafford and/or PLUS loans) must be returned to the government.
- Check NEST and your University email for updates.
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
Between 9/9 – 9/25:
- Tuition and fees are reduced (50%)
- Courses will have a W/D grade
- The Federal Calculation formula is required based on the official withdrawal date. This calculation will determine how much federal aid (Stafford and/or PLUS loans) must be returned to the government.
- Check NEST and your University email for updates.
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
Between 9/26 and 11/3:
- Billed charges do not change.
- The Federal Calculation formula is required based on the official withdrawal date. This calculation will determine how much federal aid (Stafford and/or PLUS loans) must be returned to the government.
- Check NEST and your University email for updates.
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
On or After 11/4:
- Billed charges do not change.
- Federal Calculation formula is not required.
Definitions
Official Withdrawal/Leave of Absence – Fall Semester Official Withdrawal: is when you withdraw from ALL of your classes via NEST and complete the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence process for the semester in question.
Official Withdrawal Date Policy: The official withdrawal date is final and cannot be changed under any circumstances*. If a student officially withdraws from the university, the Financial Aid Office must use this date to complete the required Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations.
Please Note: Any academic withdrawal or institutional refund granted by the University through an appeal is a separate process and does not affect the federal R2T4 calculation.
*If a student can prove they never attended the University, they must notify the Financial Aid Office immediately.
Unofficial Withdrawals: is when a student leaves without notice or ends the semester with “0” credits through any combination of “F’s” and/or “WD’s” for all courses.
- The Federal calculation will apply for federal financial aid (Stafford Loans and/or PLUS Loans). The University may use any of the following dates that best represents the last documentable date of attendance:
- Last date of attendance of an academic-related activity
- Date provided by an instructor
- Midpoint of the semester
In many cases, you will owe money to the University.
What counts as academically related activity?
Examples of Academic Engagement:·
- Attending a live (in-person or online) class, lab, or lecture with instructor-student interaction
- Submitting assignments
- Taking exams or assessments
- Participating in interactive tutorials, webinars, or group work assigned by the school
- Communicating with an instructor about academic topics
- Not considered academic engagement:
- Withdrawing from some courses (not all courses)
- Living in campus housing
- Using a meal plan
- Logging into a class without participating
- Attending academic advising without academic discussion
Partial Withdrawals
If you are a full-time student (12 credits or more) with disbursed State Grant funds who withdraws from some of your classes during the tuition pro-ration period, you will lose a portion of your State Grants and, in most cases, you will owe money to the University.
Impact of Withdrawals on Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) – Withdrawals and F grades impact your continued eligibility for financial aid due to federal requirements. Review the SAP policies.
Modular Courses
Withdrawal Policy for Modular Courses
Be aware that the withdrawal dates vary for any courses or programs offered in a modular format (courses that do not span the full term). Federal return of funds will be calculated based on the dates for individual courses/programs per federal regulations. Federal financial aid eligibility is based on continued attendance in all scheduled modules. Failure to complete or begin scheduled modules may result in the recalculation of your financial aid. State return of fund rules also apply.
What Happens If You Withdraw from a Modular Course?
A student is considered to have withdrawn when a student ceases enrollment at any point prior to completion of the payment period unless the student:
- Successfully completes 6 credits in the payment period or
- Successfully completes one course or a combination of courses that includes 49 percent or more of the payment period
If a student officially withdraws from all modules, or is considered to have stopped attending, the Financial Aid Office is required to perform a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation.
The withdrawal date used for R2T4 purposes will be based on the last date of attendance or the official withdrawal date, whichever is applicable.
If a student completes at least one module that spans 49% or more of the term (or all modules scheduled), they may be considered not withdrawn for federal aid purposes.
What Is Considered a Withdrawal?
| Scenario | Considered a Full Withdrawal? | Financial Aid Calculation Required? | Notes |
| Student drops a future module (has not started) while attending a current module | No | No | As long as the student is currently attending, this is not a full withdrawal. |
| Student withdraws from a current module but is still enrolled in a future (not-yet-started) module | No | Yes | Financial aid may be recalculated. Student must notify intent to return. |
| Student withdraws and does not notify the university of intent to return for a future module | Yes | Yes | Student may be considered fully withdrawn. A Return of Funds may be required. |
| Student successfully completes 6 credits but withdraws from rest of courses | No | No | If the student successfully completes 6 credits, the student is not a withdrawal |
Impact of Withdrawals on Standards of Academic Progress
- Understand that withdrawals and F grades will impact your continued eligibility for financial aid due to the requirements of Standards of Academic Progress (SAP). Attempted credits that are not completed with a passing grade reduce both your SAP GPA and your progress to completing your degree. For more information, review the SAP Policies.