A student who has an injury or illness that prevents the completion of all* classes for that term/session may apply for a Medical Withdrawal. The Medical Withdrawal process is outlined below. It should be noted that a Medical Withdrawal can only be requested after the designated withdrawal date, usually around mid-term of the term/session of withdrawal. A student wanting to withdraw before the designated withdrawal date must follow the Withdrawal from Courses Policy outlined in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.  It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially in accordance with university regulations.

*Only in very rare instances will a partial withdrawal be considered, such as in cases where a student may not be able to complete a specific class because of a medical condition or injury that prohibits participation.

Medical withdrawals will not be granted for reasons related to violations of the Student Code of Conduct or while a student is participating in a pending student conduct process.

Medical Withdrawal Process


AFTER THE DESIGNATED WITHDRAWAL DATE AND UNTIL THE LAST CLASS DAY OF THE COURSE

  • Students must initiate the withdrawal process by submitting the withdrawal application by 5 p.m. on the last class day of the term/session of withdrawal. The medical withdrawal process cannot begin until both the students' written statement and supporting documentation have been received and verified. 
  • Students are strongly encouraged to contact their professors/instructors by email to notify them of their intention to withdraw.
  • Students must provide medical documentation, recommending withdrawal, from a physician on the physician's letterhead signed by the physician (documentation on a prescription pad is unacceptable). 
  • The supporting documentation will be verified. If the documentation proves to be false, the University reserves the right to deny the request, to revoke the withdrawal, or to take conduct action against the student for falsification of information.
  • Once the withdrawal application and supporting documentation have been verified and approved, the Registrar's Office will be notified to withdraw the student from all classes. The supporting documentation will remain in the Dean of Students Office.
  • Students will receive notification of the status of their withdrawal application by email.
  • The Registrar's Office will notify instructors via email of the student's withdrawal. The student will be issued a grade of "W".
  • Per Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) the Dean of Students Office is not permitted to discuss a student’s medical issues with professors/instructors. (In some clinical programs, the student may subsequently be required to submit medical documentation to the dean or department head prior to enrolling in future coursework as verification that the student is eligible to return to class.)
  • Students that have received a Medical/Hardship withdrawal previously may be required to submit documentation from a medical provider clearing them for readmission.

Medical Withdrawal Application Form


AFTER THE LAST CLASS DAY OF THE COURSE (LATE MEDICAL WITHDRAWAL PROCESS)

In very rare cases, students may not be able to initiate the withdrawal by 5 p.m. on the last class day of the term/session. If students believe they have this rare circumstance, they should first consult with the Dean of Students.

Students must initiate the LATE MEDICAL WITHDRAWAL PROCESS by 5 p.m. of the last class day of the semester, and no withdrawal paperwork will be accepted or appeal considered on withdrawal applications submitted any later than the following:

  • for a spring or summer class, the last class day the fall semester following that term; 
  • for a fall class, the last class day of the spring semester following that term.

When all the documentation for the late withdrawal has been received and verified after the end of the semester, the Registrar's Office will email faculty members about a grade change from the already posted grade to a “W”. The late withdrawal process should not be used as a way to change already existing grades.  If a student appears to have completed the class and been issued a final grade, that student will need to provide further supporting documentation from the course instructor (the final grade appeal form) giving reasons why the instructor would support a late withdrawal.

Questions regarding the late withdrawal process should be directed to the Dean of Students Office (doso@valdosta.edu) or (229-333-5941).