Withdrawals

Each term has a final date to drop a course without academic penalty. If you drop the course before the deadline, it is completely removed from your academic record, essentially as if it never happened. You can find the final date to drop a course each term in the Important Dates section of the Academic Calendar. 

Some questions to ask before dropping a course:

• Is this course required for my program? How will dropping it impact my progress and how will I plan to be successful next time?
• If the course is an elective, when will I plan to make up the credit?
• Will dropping this course impact my funding (like OSAP, other provincial loans, scholarships or bursaries)?

If you need help answering any of these questions, connect with a Student Central Professional.

While there is no academic penalty for dropping a course before the final drop date, there may be a financial penalty. Refer to the refund policy and schedule for more information. 

You can find step-by-step instructions for dropping a course under the Making a Change section of our Course Registration page, or by watching this video tutorial.

Missed the final drop date? You have until the final day of class to request a Self-Late Withdrawal, which means the course will remain on your transcript, but you will see a "W" in place of a grade. The "W" indicates you withdrew from the course and it won't be included in your average calculation or count as an attempt.

Some things to keep in mind before requesting a Self-Late Withdrawal:

• You may request a Self-Late Withdrawal for a maximum of 3.0 FCEs over the course of your studies at Lakehead
• A late withdrawal (Self or Petition) is only allowed once in a course
• Removal of the "W" from your transcript is not permitted
• No refund of tuition fees will be provided

The Self-Late Withdrawal option does not apply to you if:

• The course was taken on exchange or at another institution
• The course is at the graduate level or you are a Masters/PhD student taking an undergraduate course
• The course is a practicum, internship, co-op or other experiential learning placement
• You are undergoing an academic misconduct investigation

To request a Self-Late Withdrawal, complete the Application for Self-Late Withdrawal and send it to mywithdrawal@lakeheadu.ca from your Lakehead University email address. 

If you already have 3.0 FCEs of Self-Late Withdrawals or you would like to be considered for withdrawal from a course after the final day of classes, you may request a Petition for Late Withdrawal within 2 months of the release of final grades. Like a Self-Late Withdrawal, the course will remain on your transcript, but you will see a "W" in place of a grade and it won't be included in your average calculation or count as an attempt.

Some things to keep in mind before requesting a Petition for Late Withdrawal:

• A Petition for Late Withdrawal is only allowed under exceptional circumstances and approval is not guaranteed
• A late withdrawal (Self or Petition) is only allowed once in a course
• Removal of the "W" from your transcript is not permitted
• No refund of tuition fees will be provided

The Petition for Late Withdrawal option does not apply to you if:

• You have graduated
• The course was taken on exchange or at another institution
• You are undergoing an academic misconduct investigation
• You require retroactive accommodation

Request a Petition for Late Withdrawal here.

If you wish to voluntarily withdraw from your program and you have registered for courses, you are responsible for withdrawing from those courses. 

If you have not registered for courses, there is no formal process you need to follow outside of not registering for courses.

In most cases, your program will remain active for 2 academic years (6 academic terms), during which time you can return to your studies simply by registering for courses. If you wish to return to your studies after 2 academic years, you must reapply. 

If you are a student in one of the following faculties, your program will remain active for only 1 academic year (3 academic terms), after which time you must reapply:

• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Natural Resources Management
• School of Nursing
• School of Social Work

Refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations.