Skip to main content

Dropping/adding classes after the first week of the semester

The late drop/add period starts after the first week of classes and lasts through the automatic withdrawal (automatic W) period. Meet with your advisor before dropping or adding a class and to ask questions about financial or grade impacts.

How to complete a late drop/add

Begin by dropping or adding classes.

How to track approval

Dropping or adding classes late requires approval. You can track the progress of your drop/add requests. If your request is not approved within 14 days, it will be canceled.

If you’re a University College student, you must contact your advisor to initiate a late drop.

Adding classes

All late add requests require the approval of an academic advisor. If the class has started, the instructor’s approval is also required. It is at the discretion of the instructor and advisor to approve or deny a late add request.

If you submit an eAdd request, your request will automatically be sent to the appropriate approvers.

If your request is approved, your class schedule will be updated, and you’ll receive an email notifying you that your request was completed. Until you receive this email confirmation, you’re not officially added to the class. However, you may attend that class while you wait for approvals.

Dropping classes during the automatic W period

All drop requests require the approval of an academic advisor.

If your request is approved, your class schedule will be updated, and you’ll receive an email notifying you that your request was completed. You’ll remain enrolled in the class until you get this email confirmation.

You’ll get a W (withdrawn) on your transcript for any class you drop. While a grade of W doesn’t affect your GPA, be aware that a pattern of withdrawals might raise concerns about a lack of satisfactory progress toward your degree. If such a determination is made, your school may prevent you from registering, and you might risk restrictions or loss of financial aid.

Dropping classes after the automatic W deadline

To drop a course after the automatic W deadline, you’ll need approval from your advisor, instructor, and school’s dean.

Many schools require additional information before they’ll consider a drop this late in the semester. These requests are considered only in extraordinary circumstances beyond your control and are rarely granted.

Poor performance in a course is not considered grounds for a late drop. If a late withdrawal is granted, you’ll receive a grade of W if your work is of passing quality at the time of your withdrawal—or an F if it isn’t.

If you’re worried about your GPA, talk with your instructor to see if there are better options available, such as seeking an Incomplete.

No drop requests will be processed once grade rosters are open for a term. You may need to pursue a retroactive withdrawal request by following the grade change appeal process.

If a certain enrollment status (e.g., full- or part-time) is required for reasons such as visa status or to receive VA benefits, make sure you know how a drop might affect your eligibility.

Wait for confirmation

Submitting a request is not a confirmation that the course has been dropped or added.

After the appropriate advisor, instructor, and/or dean approves your request, you’ll get an email confirming that your request was approved and your schedule has changed. It’s your responsibility to monitor the status of your request.

Any request that hasn’t been approved or denied two weeks after you submit it will be automatically canceled.

Know how your student account will be affected

Additional tuition charges may apply when you change your schedule. Be sure to talk to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Office of the Bursar to understand any effects on your financial aid or costs.

If you’re an undergraduate, dropping classes that put you below 12 credit hours or adding classes that put you above 18 credit hours can have a major effect on the amount you pay for the semester.

If you’re a graduate or professional student, be sure you understand your individual program tuition and fee rates.

In extenuating circumstances, you may wish to pursue a tuition dispute. Contact the Office of the Bursar for more details.

Dropping and adding classes at the same time

Dropping and adding a class at the same time is called an eDrop/eAdd pair.

If you drop and add a class in the same transaction, both requests must be approved before any changes to your schedule are effective. If your drop request is approved but your add request is not (or the other way around), your schedule remains unchanged.

The drop/add together option is designed this way to ensure your enrollment status doesn’t change. If you’re not worried about maintaining full-time status, consider submitting separate drop and add requests instead.

IU Indianapolis

Office of the Registrar

Campus Center, Room 250
420 University Blvd

Indianapolis, IN 46202
USA

+1-317-274-1519

indyregr@iu.edu