Medical Withdrawal

èßäÊÓƵapp may experience medical and/or psychological concerns that significantly impact their ability to fulfill academic obligations. In these instances, students may request to withdraw from the university for a period of time to focus on treatment for these concerns prior to returning to èßäÊÓƵapp. A medical withdrawal gives students the opportunity to pause their academic pursuits, seek this treatment, and return to èßäÊÓƵapp as a continuing student once conditions of leave are fulfilled.

The University is committed to assisting students throughout this process such that withdrawal and the transition back to èßäÊÓƵapp are smooth and students are connected to appropriate resources.

 

How to Submit a Medical Withdrawal Request

A medical withdrawal requires the approval of the Care Team. If the withdrawal is granted, the student will be assigned grades of W for all enrolled courses and should seek appropriate treatment and recovery while away in order to return. The last day to request a medical withdrawal is the same as the last to take a general withdrawal each semester.

  • Any student who wants to request a medical withdrawal should complete a and select “medical withdrawal request.” Once the form is received, the student will be contacted to schedule an appointment to review the medical withdrawal process with a staff member from the Office of Student Advocacy and Support and schedule an appointment with a staff member in the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center for an evaluation of the request.
  • èßäÊÓƵapp will be asked to complete a Health History Attestation Form and provide supporting documentation from a medical/mental health provider outlining the medical necessity for the withdrawal. This form and the supporting documentation will be reviewed by a staff member in the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center. The student may also ask to meet with a staff member in the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center to clarify information on the form or in the supporting documentation.
  • Following the review of the Health History Attestation Form and any requested meetings, the Health Center will provide a summary of the information collected to the CareTeam, who will review the request and make a determination.
  • Decisions about medical withdrawal are communicated to students in writing. If the medical withdrawal is granted, students will receive a medical withdrawal checklist with outlined steps to complete the withdrawal. Questions about this checklist should be directed to the Office of Student Advocacy and Support. A medical withdrawal hold is also placed on the student’s account and the student will not be able to return to èßäÊÓƵapp or enroll in courses until the hold is lifted.
  • èßäÊÓƵapp who take a medical withdrawal may receive a prorated refund on tuition/fees. Schedule of reimbursement is maintained in the Bursar’s office.
  • èßäÊÓƵapp who live on èßäÊÓƵapp can contact Residence Life and Student Housing regarding any possible associated refund of room and board.
  • èßäÊÓƵapp who take a medical withdrawal must demonstrate appropriate treatment received and three (3) months of stability prior to requesting to return to èßäÊÓƵapp. This means that generally, students who take a medical withdrawal should plan to be on leave for the following long semester and be prepared to provide documentation of the treatment they received and proof of stability by a medical/ mental health provider.

Medical Withdrawal Checklist (PDF)

Statement of Understanding (PDF)

Request to Return From a Medical Withdrawal

  • èßäÊÓƵapp who have requested and been granted a medical withdrawal will need to request to return. To make the request, students should submit a “Request to Return from Medical Withdrawal” packet to Student Advocacy and Support (OSAS). A complete packet includes:
    • Two Release of Information forms (one for treatment provider to the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center and another from the Health Center to the Care Team)
    • Clinical Documentation form
    • Request to Return from Medical Withdrawal form
  • èßäÊÓƵapp should adhere to the following deadlines in requesting to return.
    • To return for fall semester, packet should be submitted by July 1
    • To return for spring semester, packet should be submitted by November 15
    • To return for May term, packet should be submitted by Mar 1
    • To return for summer sessions, packet should be submitted by April 1
  • Requests to return are reviewed by the Care Team. The clinical documentation and medical/mental health documentation is reviewed by staff in the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center, and a summary is provided to the Care Team. Medical/ Mental health documentation must include a licensed medical or mental health provider attesting to the student’s participation in treatment and stability for the previous 3 months. Staff will communicate with the student if additional documentation is needed to support the request.
  • Decisions about requests to return will be communicated by the Care Team once all information has been received and reviewed. If the request is granted, the student’s medical withdrawal hold will be lifted and the student will be able to register for classes.
  • If the request to return is granted, special conditions or requirements may be outlined. These are meant to provide support to the student in their return, and could include check-ins with an Office of Student Advocacy and Support staff member and/or Clinical Case Manager, or a maximum enrollment limit of 12 hours. 

Request to Return from Medical Withdrawal Checklist (PDF)

Request to Return from Medical Withdrawal Form (PDF)