“Withdrawal from the University” refers to the official process in which the student withdraws from ALL classes, from the residence hall (if applicable), and from any current student relationship with the University. This process is separate and distinct from a Student Leave of Absence. (See the Student Leave of Absence protocol.) The Registrar uses the date the student communicates in writing as his or her intent to withdraw and begins the University’s withdrawal process, as the official withdrawal date. The student initiates this process by filling out the Undergrad/Graduate Withdrawal Form and submitting it to the Registrar’s Office.
The student must obtain the required signatures: Admissions (for international students or a recipient of veteran’s benefits), appropriate School Dean, Dean of Students, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, and the Registrar.
The student must also return his/her student identification card, meal card (if applicable) and parking sticker to the Office of Student Services when withdrawing from the University. Further, any withdrawing student who has received a student loan must have an exit interview with a Financial Aid Counselor.
Courses for which the student is registered will appear on the transcript with a notation of “WD.” The official date of WD will appear with courses. The notation of WD does not calculate in the GPA but does calculate in student completion rate.
Withdrawal from the University does not affect the cumulative GPA of the student if processed by the close of “last day to drop without ‘F’,” as announced in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar 2024-2025.
The financial aid status of the student is affected by withdrawal from the University in the following ways:
- Refunds for tuition and fees are credited to the student’s account according to the refund schedule.
- Housing, meal, and Book Bundle fees are credited to the student’s account according to the refund schedule.
- Financial Aid will be prorated to the student according to the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy. Withdrawal after the refund period means the student will have used an entire semester’s eligibility of aid.
- The balance of the student’s account with the Student Accounts Office will be credited or billed to the student as appropriate.
- Once the student has completed registration, i.e., turned in the registration form to the Student Accounts Office, the student is liable for all registration fees even though classes have not been attended, unless the student completed an official withdrawal form.
- Students who are suspended or ineligible to continue in an academic program because of grade deficiencies and who are registered in advance for the subsequent semester, may be required to complete an official withdrawal form.
Any completed student withdrawal will be reviewed for the official withdrawal date, set forth by the Registrar (Academic Calendar). The Registrar uses the date the student communicates in writing, to the Registrar’s Office, as their intent to withdraw and begins the University’s withdrawal process, as the official withdrawal date. If this date falls after the first day of classes, there can be a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation to determine financial aid earned. If a withdrawal is completed prior to the Financial Aid disbursement date, and there is aid earned, the aid would be seen as a post-withdrawal disbursement and LMU would obtain permission from the student/parent prior to disbursing earned aid. If a withdrawal is completed on or after the FA disbursement date, the aid is adjusted based on the pro rata of the R2T4 calculation by the FAA Access Return to Title IV Worksheet provided by the Department of Education (DOEd). Adjustments are made and refunds sent back to the appropriate program(s) with the DOEd at the time the withdrawal form is processed. If the student is present at the time the withdrawal form is processed, Financial Aid staff conducts a counseling session to explain how the calculation is determined and how it affects the student’s responsibility to repay, if applicable. If the student is not present at the time the withdrawal form is processed, the Financial Aid Office notifies the students of the adjustment made and any responsibilities the student has, at that time. It is stated and understood that after the 60% point of the term a student has earned 100% of aid, and in most cases there will not be pending aid at this point; however, an R2T4 calculation is made to determine a post-withdrawal disbursement, if pending aid is present and all conditions are met.