Full Term Withdrawal Policy
The Full-Term Withdrawal Policy allows a student to fully withdraw until the last day of classes and receive a “W” for all classes for any reason. This is the default withdrawal process and should be used in most cases. A full-term withdrawal is completed within BlazerNET, and a student can indicate the reason for the withdrawal when requesting the withdrawal, including medical. Please note that the reason for the withdrawal is NOT listed on a student’s transcript.
Students wishing to pursue a full-term withdrawal should review the Full Term Withdrawal Policy and seek guidance regarding the impact of a full term withdrawal. It is important for students to understand that a withdrawal for any reason can impact any of the following:
- Academic Progression
- Anticipated Graduation Date
- Financial Aid (or funds received to support academic pursuits)
- Scholarships
- Eligibility for services for UAB Student
For questions related to the financial impact of a withdrawal, please contact OneStop.
Voluntary Medical Withdrawal
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has established a Voluntary Medical Withdrawal process for students who have experienced a physical, emotional, or psychological condition that significantly impacts their ability to successfully complete coursework AND prevents them from completing a timely full-term withdrawal as outlined above.
Within the term, if a student wishes to medically withdraw, the regular withdrawal process through BlazerNet should be utilized and does not require the submission of the additional forms for a Voluntary Medical Withdrawal.
Students should consider initiating the medical withdrawal process during the term in the following circumstances:
- If the withdrawal effective date needs to be changed due to the medical condition preventing a timely in-term withdrawal.
- If a physical injury prevents participation in a course that requires physical engagement.
After the term has ended, the only withdrawal option available is a medical withdrawal. A Voluntary Medical Withdrawal can be submitted up to 60 days after the term has ended. Extensions to this 60-day timeline will be considered only in extraordinary circumstances.
Please note that there is no differentiation between how standard and medical withdrawals are noted on a student’s transcript.
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Submission Instructions
To submit a Full Term Withdrawal, students should do the following:
- Log in to BlazerNet
- Select the “Registration” Tab at the Top
- Select “Withdrawal from all Classes”
- Follow the instructions
Voluntary Medical Withdrawals should only be submitted after the term has ended. Prior to that point, students must utilize the Full Term Withdrawal process as identified above.
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Medical Withdrawal Documentation Submission
To submit a Voluntary Medical Withdrawal after the term has ended, students should log in to BlazerNet and start the process by submitting a Full Term Voluntary Medical Withdrawal. This option should only be utilized after the term has ended. For a Full Term Voluntary Medical Withdrawal (post-term), a Partial Term Voluntary Medical Withdrawal (during the term), or to change the effective date of a full term withdrawal, students are required to submit the following documentation to Student Health Services: This submission should include any supporting documentation for this request. Submission instructions are located above. For questions, please log into the Patient Portal and send a message using the same instructions in the above attachment.
If a student has either a physical injury during the semester preventing completion of a single course after the drop and single course withdrawal dates or has a medical condition which prevented a timely withdrawal earlier in the semester, they should submit the provider recommendation form with an explanation via the SHS patient portal. Students should monitor their SHS patient portal for a response message and confirmation of the withdrawal. -
Return to the Campus Following a Medical Withdrawal
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are medically prepared to re-enroll. While eligible to return in a future term after requesting a medical withdrawal, subsequent medical withdrawal requests for the same condition will not be approved within 24 months of the initial request.
Exceptions may be considered if the student experiences extenuated circumstances and have sufficient documentation supporting the request. Students who do not return within one academic year will be made inactive and must reapply for admission. -
Tuition Refund
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has a refund schedule that applies to all withdrawals. This information can be located on the Academic Calendar. It is important to note that the refund policy is the same for the Full Term Voluntary Withdrawal and the Full Term Voluntary Medical Withdrawal.
Under very extenuating circumstances, an appeal for tuition refund will be accepted and reviewed. This policy sets forth valid circumstances under which an appeal may be submitted as well as the circumstances under which an appeal may not be submitted.
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Questions?
For more information related to the Full Term Withdrawal Policy or process, contact OneStop.
For questions related to the Voluntary Medical Withdrawal process, students should contact Student Health Services via the Patient Portal. Messages can be sent to the “Medical Withdrawal” team through this secure portal.