Requesting a medical or compassionate withdrawal
You can be considered for a medical or compassionate withdrawal if you experience an extraordinary or emergency medical or family circumstance that prevents you from continuing in courses, such as serious illness or injury, having to suddenly care for a seriously ill child or a death in the immediate family. This option should only be considered when an incomplete or other arrangements with instructors are not possible.
The Rob Walton College of Global Futures follows the ASU policy for medical and compassionate withdrawals. Outlined below are the steps to request a withdrawal for College of Global Futures students. This process only applies to College of Global Futures students pursuing a degree or non-degree seeking students enrolled in a graduate certificate through our college. If your program is under a different college, please contact your advisor to follow your college’s specific procedures. Here is a link to link to medical designees by college.
Medical and compassionate withdrawal process
- Meet with an advisor
Meet with your academic advisor to explore your options, including reviewing regular withdrawal procedures. - Ask for class arrangements
If you only have a small amount of work remaining in the course, ask the instructor if alternative class arrangements or an incomplete grade are possible. - Consult with financial assistance
If you are receiving financial assistance, it is strongly encouraged that you consult with a student financial assistance counselor to determine the potential impact of this type of withdrawal and your financial obligation. - Resources for active or veteran U.S. military
If you are currently serving in the U.S. Military or are a veteran receiving G.I. Bill Funding, please contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center to discuss the possible financial ramifications of an approved withdrawal prior to submitting your request. - Resources for international students
If you are an international student with an F1/J1 visa, you must consult with the International Students and Scholars Center to discuss the serious immigration consequences that may result from your withdrawal from ASU. International students seeking to process a medical/compassionate withdrawal in a current term/semester must also complete a medical reduced course load form and submit it to the International Students and Scholars Center office. - Review documentation
Review the required documentation section below and gather all supporting documentation before starting a medical/compassionate withdrawal request form. - Submit
Submit your request through the web form located at the bottom of this page.
Determine request type
Choose this option when extraordinary circumstances, such as a serious illness or injury, prevent you from continuing classes. This covers both physical health and mental health difficulties.
Required documents
A request for a medical withdrawal must include a letter from a health care provider. The letter must be on the health care provider’s letterhead stationery and can be uploaded to the form or sent via email from the provider to [email protected].
In the withdrawal request form, you will be asked the following questions. Documentation from both you and the healthcare provider should include:
- The date of onset of illness
- The dates you were under professional care
- The general nature of your medical condition and why/how it prevented you from completing your coursework/attending class
- The last date you were able to attend/participate in class
- The date of your anticipated return to school
For a partial medical withdrawal, the letter should justify the selective nature of withdrawing from some but not all classes and clearly indicate why you were successful in some courses, but not others.
A request for a compassionate withdrawal must include documentation that can be uploaded to the form. The request form asks the following questions:
- The date(s) you were impacted by the unexpected circumstance
- The general nature of the unexpected circumstance and why/how it prevented you from completing your coursework or attending class
- The last date you were able to attend/participate in class
- The date of your anticipated return to school
For a partial compassionate withdrawal, the statement should justify the selective nature of withdrawing from some but not all classes and clearly indicate why you were successful in some courses, but not others.
Supporting documentation
The documentation you provide should support your answers to these questions. These are guidelines, as the appropriate documentation will be specific to your situation.
For Example:
- If your request involves a death, please attach a copy of the death certificate, airline itinerary and receipt, funeral pamphlet showing dates, etc.
- If your request is a result of a job change, provide documentation highlighting the job change.
- If your request concerns another’s illness or hospitalization, supporting documentation must be provided by a medical professional involved in their care.
- If your request involves military deployment or relocation, please include a copy of your orders or a letter from the commanding officer.
- If your request involves a natural disaster, include copies of insurance statements, pictures of damage, etc.
- If your request concerns legal issues, police reports or other legal documents explaining the circumstances you are dealing with may be helpful.
- If your request involves pregnancy or childbirth, please include a copy of the birth certificate or a letter from a medical provider or hospital involved in their care.
Frequently asked questions and disclaimers
All requests must be accompanied by documentation of the circumstances. Requests without appropriate documentation will not be approved. “Partial” withdrawal requests (requesting withdrawal from fewer than all courses in the semester/session) can only be approved if there is a documentable reason why not all courses were affected (e.g. if you have a broken leg and wish to request a partial withdrawal for a dance movement course).
The medical and compassionate withdrawal process is focused on your student academic record as it relates to your health and wellness. Tuition refunds are not guaranteed, even with approval and are not an option if the request is submitted more than two years after the semester the request is for. Depending on the situation and approved effective date, an approved medical or compassionate withdrawal could potentially result in a tuition refund.
If you had any financial aid or scholarships, it’s important to consult a student financial assistance counselor since some withdrawals can result in you paying back funding that did not get utilized for a withdrawn course.
If you have completed your degree and ASU has granted it (you graduated), you may not receive medical or compassionate withdrawal for semesters completed while your degree was active.
Medical or compassionate withdrawal requests are only processed for partial or complete semesters taken while working toward a degree that has not yet been granted (you have not graduated).
Submit your request here
Submit your request via the form link below. If you are requesting withdrawals for multiple semesters, you will need to submit one form for each semester.
Upon submission, your request form and documentation will be reviewed. The reviewer may seek additional information from you or from those providing the documentation. Verification of documentation authenticity is standard practice.
Approval is at the discretion of the college, and the college’s decision is final. There is no guarantee a request will be approved. Multiple medical or compassionate withdrawals for the same impacting circumstance may not be approved.
The review process typically takes a few weeks to be completed. Requests submitted near the start or end of a semester may have a longer review time due to the increased volume of student inquiries and requests. You will be notified of the decision by email. An approved decision will be communicated to the Registrar’s Office for final processing and posting on your transcript. If approved, the withdrawal will appear on your official transcript as a “W” and a notation of the medical or compassionate withdrawal will appear on your unofficial transcript.
An approved decision will also be communicated to ASU Student Business Services team and ASU Financial Aid and Scholarship Services office for determination if any necessary adjustments need to be made.
If you are successful in receiving a medical or compassionate withdrawal, an administrative hold may be applied that will prevent you from registering for future classes. When you are ready to return to school, you will need to submit an official letter from your healthcare provider or other appropriate documentation for a compassionate withdrawal stating that you are ready to return to school during the specified term.
Additional resources
If you require additional accommodations and support in future semesters, we strongly recommend getting in contact with our Student Accessibility and Inclusive Learning Services office.
If you are interested in learning more about counseling and mental health services, we strongly recommend connecting with our ASU Counseling Services office.
For additional support in times of crisis or extreme struggle, please know that ASU is always here to support you. If you need help getting connected with supportive ASU resources, contacting your instructors, submitting an absence form and more, please contact our Student Advocacy and Assistance office anytime.
Questions?
Call us
(480)727-6963