• Students can withdraw from any course with a full refund and without a W (withdrawal) grade on their record during the add/drop registration period during the first 2 weeks of the semester.
  • Following this period students can withdraw from a course until the 10th week of classes during the fall and spring semesters but will be held responsible for 100% of the related tuition and fees.
  • Students who are considering withdrawal from a course after the add/drop registration deadline may discuss this decision with their advisor. The next step is to contact the Office of Student Affairs to facilitate the drop of the course. Students should speak to CSSW’s Financial Aid office to discuss how dropping a course can impact loans, scholarships and financial aid eligibility.
  • Students who wish to drop a course after the end of the add/drop period, must email swstudentaffairs@columbia.edu. After the 10th week, all students must accept a grade of W for the course.
  • Withdrawal (W): If a student drops or withdraws from a course after the drop deadline, the transcript will show a mark of W for that course. This is a permanent mark, and will remain on the transcript even if the student repeats the course.
  • Failure to attend classes or to notify the instructor does not constitute a formal withdrawal or drop of a class. Students who cease attending but do not formally drop a class with the Office of Student Affairs will be financially responsible and will receive a mark of UW (Unofficial Withdrawal) for the course.
  • Students seeking to drop Field Education need written approval from the offices of Advising and Field Education. If a student is granted permission to drop either Field or their required practice class they will also be withdrawn from any corresponding required courses. Field and the required practice classes must be taken concurrently. For more detail, see the Field Education Manual.