Drop and withdrawal processes

Student Initiated Drops and Withdraws

What are Drops and Withdrawals?

At Parkland College, the terms drop and withdrawal refer to different processes.  Dropping a course means the removal of a class from the student's schedule and transcript within the drop deadline. The drop deadline is the Sunday following the start of class at 11:59 pm.  A drop from a course generates a full refund of tuition and fees.  Withdrawal from a course means you removed the class from your schedule after the drop deadline. The course remains on the transcript. There is no refund for withdrawals.

How to Drop a Class

You can only drop a course up until midnight Sunday after the first day of class. Check the College Calendar for specific dates. A dropped class is removed from your record and the tuition is refunded.

Visit the Drop or Withdraw from a Class webpage for more details on how to drop a class. 

How to Withdraw from a Class

You may withdraw from any class until 5 pm on the last business day of the week before the last week of instruction (this does not include final exams).  Check the College Calendar for specific dates. Once Parkland begins summer hours, the last business day at Parkland will be on Thursdays. A withdraw will show a W on your transcript and there is no refund for tuition.

Visit the Drop or Withdraw from a Class webpage for more information on how to withdrawal from a class. 

Additional Information

Financial aid implications - students are responsible for understanding that student-initiated withdrawals or college-initiated withdrawals may result in loss of financial aid. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services for more information. 

For more information on student initiated and college initiated drops and withdraws, please see the Catalog


Drop without Record (After Drop Deadline)

What is a Drop without Record?

A drop without record may be requested when a student desires to have a course expunged from their academic record and the student was UNABLE to complete the drop process by the published drop deadline date. 

Note: Requests for Drops Without Record are rarely granted and only under the most extenuating circumstances.

How to Request a Drop without Record

Students may contact academicexceptions@parkland.edu to request the current instructions. 

What Happens if Approved?

The course is not recorded on the transcript and billing adjustment granted.

Note: Requests for Drops Without Record are rarely granted and only under the most extenuating circumstances
Required Documentation

A clear and verifiable explanation of the significant extenuating circumstances that prevented the student from completing the drop process by the published date. Students may be asked to provide copies of emails to instructors or Parkland College offices that support their request

For more information please visit the Catalog


Late Withdrawal

What is a Late Withdrawal?

A late withdrawal can be requested when a final grade of F has been recorded for a course because the student was UNABLE to withdraw from the course by the published deadline date. A student may request a late withdrawal for some or all of their courses for that semester.

How to Request a Late Withdrawal

Students may contact academicexceptions@parkland.edu to request the current instructions.

What Happens if Approved?

A "W" replaces the original grade of "F" for the approved course(s). NO refund is issued for the course(s). 

Documentation Required

A clear explanation of the significant extenuating circumstances that prevented the student from completing the withdrawal process by the published date. Students may be asked to provide copies of emails to instructors or Parkland College offices that support their request. 


What is a Medical Withdrawal?

A Medical Withdrawal can be requested when a student has experienced a verifiable medical circumstance that prevents them from course completion within the same semester. 

How to Request for Medical Withdrawal

Students may contact academicexceptions@parkland.edu to request the current instructions.

What Happens if Approved?

A "W" replaces the original grade and full or partial billing adjustments may be awarded – however, billing adjustments are not available to student accounts receiving financial aid for the semester in question. 

Documentation Required

Students must provide medical documentation that verifies a medical circumstance that prevented the completion of a course or courses. If the student is requesting a medical withdrawal from one of several courses enrolled in during the same semester the medical documentation must specifically state the reason why the student was incapable of completing the specific course or semesterAll medical documentation must be on official letterhead and signed by a medical professional.