Admissions and Records

Withdrawal Policy

A "W" indicates you withdrew from a course and does not affect your GPA. Review your course deadlines and the withdrawal policies on this page before dropping any class.

Important: Failure to officially withdraw by the established deadline may result in a grade of "F" or "NC." It is your responsibility to drop through myGateway before the deadline — instructor approval is not required.

Find Your Deadlines

Every course has its own specific withdrawal deadlines. You can look up the exact dates for each class you're enrolled in through myGateway — no guessing required.

  1. Log into myGateway (opens in new window) and click Tools in the top menu.

    Fullerton College
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    Student Tools
    Schedule/Bill
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    Click Student Tools in the Tools menu, then select Schedule/Bill.

  2. Click Student Tools → Student Services → View Schedule/Bill.

    Instructors and Deadlines

    CRN Instructor SUBJ CRSE Refund Deadline Drop Without W Drop With W
    13304 Robles, Desiree CDES 119 F 10/24/2024 10/24/2024 11/21/2024
    14064 Boyer, Brandi Lyn BUS 191 F 10/24/2024 10/28/2024 12/02/2024
    The Instructors and Deadlines section shows three key dates per course.

  3. In the Instructors and Deadlines section, each course lists three key dates:

    • Refund Deadline — last day to drop and receive a full refund
    • Drop Without W — last day to drop without a withdrawal appearing on your record
    • Drop With W — last day to withdraw (a "W" will appear on your transcript)

Short and summer courses: Dates vary significantly from full-term deadlines. Always check your Schedule/Bill for the exact dates for each CRN — do not rely on the general semester calendar for short or summer classes.

How to Withdraw

All withdrawals must be completed online through myGateway before the deadline. The two sections that follow explain who can initiate a withdrawal and what to expect.

Through 75% of the course, an instructor may withdraw a student who is no longer participating. Non-participation includes, but is not limited to, excessive unexcused absences. Refer to the Attendance Policy for details.

Do not rely on your instructor to drop you. Even if your instructor has the ability to withdraw you, it remains your responsibility to withdraw officially. If an instructor does not process the drop before the deadline, you may receive a grade of "F."

It is the student's responsibility to withdraw if they stop attending. Instructor approval is not required. All withdrawals must be completed online through myGateway by the deadline.

To withdraw from a class in myGateway:

  1. Log into myGateway (opens in new window).
  2. Click Tools → Student Tools → Student Services.
  3. Select Registration → Add or Drop Classes.
  4. Choose the correct term from the dropdown.
  5. In the Action column next to the course, select Web Drop or Web Withdraw depending on the current deadline window.
  6. Click Submit Changes to confirm.

The action available to you ("Web Drop" vs. "Web Withdraw") depends on where you are in the term. Web Drop removes the course before the no-W deadline. Web Withdraw is available after that point through the withdrawal deadline and will result in a "W" on your transcript.

Deadlines by Term

Fall & Spring Terms

Full-Term Courses

First two weeks of the term Student or instructor may initiate a withdrawal. No notation is recorded on the academic record.
3rd week through 12th week Student or instructor may initiate a withdrawal. A "W" is recorded on the transcript.

Short Courses

Refer to the comment line under the specific CRN in your Schedule/Bill for exact dates. Dates are subject to change to comply with State accounting regulations.

Open Entry Courses

Treated according to the regulations for full-term and short courses whenever possible.

Summer Term

For all summer classes, refer to the comment line under the specific section (CRN) of the class for deadline dates. Dates are subject to change to comply with state accounting regulations.

Important: Failure to officially withdraw from a summer class may result in a grade of "F" or "NC."

Recording on Transcripts

No "W" Recorded

Full-Term Courses: Withdrawal prior to the third week of the term.

Short-Term Courses (less than full term): Withdrawal by the 20% point of the course length.

"W" Is Recorded

Semester-Length Courses: Withdrawal during the 3rd week through the 12th week of the term.

Short-Term Courses: Withdrawal after the 20% point through the 75% point of the course.

A "W" is not calculated in your GPA. However, accumulating multiple "W" grades may affect academic progress standing and financial aid eligibility. Contact Counseling or the Financial Aid Office if you have concerns.

Excused Withdrawal (EW)

An Excused Withdrawal (EW) is granted when a student must withdraw due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control, including:

  • A job transfer outside the geographical region
  • Illness of the student or of a family member for whom the student is the primary caregiver
  • Release from custody or involuntary transfer before the end of the term (California county jail or state prison)
  • The student is the subject of an immigration action
  • Other extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control affecting their ability to complete a course

The college will engage with the student to identify support services that may help prevent withdrawal. If mitigation efforts are unsuccessful, the "EW" symbol will be placed on the transcript. Students will not be denied an EW due to the college's inability to respond or provide assistance. An EW will also be assigned if a student withdrew due to unlawful discrimination or retaliation.

To request an EW, submit an Extenuating Circumstance Petition (opens in new window) to Admissions & Records.

An EW is not calculated in the GPA. It is also:

  • Not counted toward progress probation or dismissal calculations
  • Not counted as an enrollment attempt for purposes of course repetition
  • Not counted toward the permitted number of withdrawals
  • Not eligible to result in an "FW" grade under any circumstance
Federal Financial Aid: The "EW" symbol does count in Federal Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) calculations. Consult the Financial Aid Office to determine whether an EW will affect your awards before submitting your petition.

Military Withdrawal (MW)

Students called to active military service during a semester in progress should submit an Extenuating Circumstance Petition (opens in new window) to have an "MW" noted on their academic transcript. A copy of military orders is required with the petition.

An "MW" does not affect your GPA. Contact Admissions & Records if you need assistance completing the petition or have questions about your record.