Dropping A Class

Dropping The Subject

I clearly remember my days at USF and having to make a hard decision about dropping a class. Back then, it seemed as if the world was crashing in, to admit that I was not going to be successful in a class. In reality, it is a great learning experience in self-evaluation. For me, it was a science class that was filled with chemistry and math that I had never seen before.  The teacher went fast, and after a couple of failed quizzes, I knew that I was either going to fail the class or have to withdraw.

Students today are coming to college after immense pressures to score as high as they can, complete as much as they can, and with lots of help from home and teachers. Once in a college class, sometimes things can get overwhelming, you can lag behind, and even become completely lost. Some semesters have easier course loads than others. That is not to say that you should not take advantage of meeting with a TA or professor for help or get tutoring. But even after trying your hardest, if you know that you will not be making at least a C (most degrees require at least a C to pass the class), then dropping the class may be needed. There is no shame in this, and doing so, can help you re-prioritize your schedules. You can always retake the class when you know your schedule will be a lighter one. And the second time around, you should know how to better tackle that class. Get a tutor early, take more notes, establish a study buddy, etc.

With all of that, it is important to be aware of the dates. If you drop a class by the deadline each semester, you will receive a “W” and will not get a refund. There is also no academic penalty for that “W”. If you are thinking about dropping or adding a class at the beginning of the semester, it must be done within the first 5 days of classes to get a refund, etc. Grade Forgiveness offers a student the opportunity to retake a course and earn a higher grade that will replace the first grade. The second grade must be a D or higher.

There are financial repercussions as well when your student drops a class. Your student will still be liable for dropped courses, and it is YOUR responsibility to know the requirements for any scholarships you have, including Bright Futures. New state law requires students with Bright Futures scholarships to repay their award money if they withdraw from a class after the drop/add period – typically about a week into the semester. Should you have any questions about the number of hours your student needs or the impact of dropping a class or any other situation, download the interactive tool – BFCreditHourTool

Please check with Financial Aid if you have any concerns.  Your academic advisor may be able to assist you with some financial issues, but Financial Aid is generally between you and Student Financial Affairs.

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