Understanding when and how to adjust your course schedule is an important part of navigating your academic experience. This page provides an overview of the difference between dropping a course and withdrawing from an entire term, along with key deadlines, steps to take, and how your decisions may affect your transcript, enrollment, and financial responsibility. You can expand each section below to learn what options are available at different points in the semester and what to expect throughout the process.
If you have questions or would like help thinking through your options, you are welcome to contact the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu for guidance and support.
University Resource — Learn more about dropping a course or courses
A Course Drop refers to dropping one or more courses from your schedule while still staying enrolled in other courses.
A Term/Semester Withdrawal refers to removing all the courses from your schedule for a particular term/semester.
University Resource — Learn more about the Drop/Add policy in the FSU Bulletin
Course Drop
During the first four days of a fall/spring/summer term/semester, students can add or drop individual classes, or they may change one class section for another.
- Classes dropped during the drop/add period do not appear on the student's transcript.
- To add courses after the first four days of classes may require your academic dean's approval.
Once you decide to change your schedule, watch a video tutorial on how to adjust your schedule.
Term/Semester Withdrawal
To cancel scheduled class enrollment, a student can remove all classes from their schedule during the first four days of a fall/spring/summer term/semester through two methods: (1) their online student portal and (2) by submitting a written request from the student's official e-mail account to the Office of the University Registrar.
Courses that are removed during the drop/add period do not appear on the student's transcript.
Fee Liability
Course Drops — Students are not financially liable for changes made to their course schedule during the drop/add period.
Term/Semester Withdrawals — Students who cancel their registration during the drop/add period are not fee liable for tuition.
If tuition has already been paid, students should request a full refund of tuition/fees by contacting the Office of Student Finance.
- Office Hours:
- Monday – Friday
- 8:00am – 5:00pm
- Phone:
- Last Name A–N: 850-645-2041
- Last Name O–Z: 850-645-2040
- Email: studentfinance@fsu.edu
Undergraduate and non-degree-seeking students who cancel their registration (e.g., withdraw) and are not enrolled for the following two terms/semesters (e.g., non-enrollment for three consecutive terms/semesters) must apply for readmission.
Graduate students who cancel their registration (e.g., withdraw) and are not enrolled in the following term/semester (e.g., non-enrollment for two consecutive terms/semesters) must apply for readmission.
University Resources
Course Drops — Learn more about dropping a course or courses
Term/Semester Withdrawals — Learn more about the withdrawal process through the Office of Withdrawal Services
Course Drop — If students drop a course by the 7th week deadline, the course will not appear on the student's transcript. There is no 4th week deadline for course drops. To drop a class, please start by speaking to your academic advisor to discuss the implications for dropping the course. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of the University Registrar at 850-644-1050 for more details.)
Once you have decided to drop a course, you can follow the steps below:
- Log in to my.fsu.edu. (Use the webpage, not the App.)
- In the middle of the screen, you will see your class schedule. Click the pencil icon.
- Choose "Drop Classes."
- Select the current semester.
- Click the "Click here to drop a class for a closed enrollment term" link at the top of the screen.
- Read the instructions and click continue.
- Select the term of the class you wish to drop.
- Once you see your schedule again, click next to the class you want to drop, then click the link that reads "Drop Selected Classes."
- Generate the drop form.
- If you are dropping below 12 credit hours, you may have to take or send the drop form you generate to your academic dean's office for their signature.
Dropping English and Math courses — Students cannot drop introductory English and Math courses on their own. They must work with their academic dean's office to do so.
Term/Semester Withdrawal — The 4th week deadline is applicable to Term/Semester Withdrawals only. To withdraw from all your courses, you should start by contacting your academic dean's office. You will then be directed from your academic dean's office to the Office of Withdrawal Services. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
Courses that are removed by the end of the 7th week of classes do not appear on the student's transcript.
If a student needs assistance contacting their academic dean's office, they can reach the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu.
Fee Liability
Course Drops — Students are financially liable for any changes made to their course schedule after the end of the drop/add period.
Term/Semester Withdrawals — Up through the end of the 4th week of classes, students withdrawing will receive a 25% refund adjustment. Students will be liable for 75% of their tuition and fees. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
University Resource — Learn more about dropping a course or courses
Course Drop — If students drop a course by the 7th week deadline, the course will not appear on the student's transcript. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of the University Registrar at 850-644-1050 for more details.)
To drop a class, please start by speaking to your academic advisor to discuss the implications for dropping the course.
Once you have decided to drop a course, you can follow the steps below:
- Log in to my.fsu.edu. (Use the webpage, not the App.)
- In the middle of the screen, you will see your class schedule. Click the pencil icon.
- Choose "Drop Classes."
- Select the current semester.
- Click the "Click here to drop a class for a closed enrollment term" link at the top of the screen.
- Read the instructions and click continue.
- Select the term of the class you wish to drop.
- Once you see your schedule again, click next to the class you want to drop, then click the link that reads "Drop Selected Classes."
- Generate the drop form.
- If you are dropping below 12 credit hours, you may have to take or send the drop form you generate to your academic dean's office for their signature.
NOTE — Drops that do not require an academic dean's or other administrator's signature will process without generating a drop form.
Dropping English and Math courses — Students cannot drop introductory English and Math courses on their own. They must work with their academic dean's office to do so.
Term/Semester Withdrawal — To withdraw from all your courses, you should start by contacting your academic dean's office. You will then be directed from your academic dean's office to the Office of Withdrawal Services. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
Courses that are removed by the end of the 7th week of classes do not appear on the student's transcript.
If a student needs assistance contacting their academic dean's office, they can reach the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu.
Fee Liability
Course Drops — Students are financially liable for any changes made to their course schedule after the end of the drop/add period.
Term/Semester Withdrawals — Students who withdraw after drop/add ends are financially liable for any changes made to their course schedule, with the exception of the 25% fee liability removal for personal withdrawals initiated within the first four weeks of the semester/term. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
University Resource — Learn more about dropping a course or courses
Course Drop — If a student drops a course after the 7th week deadline but before the 12th week deadline, the course will appear on the student's transcript. These course drops will require an academic dean's permission and will appear on the student's transcript as a "W" or "WD." (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of the University Registrar at 850-644-1050 for more details.)
To drop a class, please start by speaking to your academic advisor to discuss the implications for dropping the course.
Once you have decided to drop a course, you can follow the steps below:
- Log in to my.fsu.edu. (Use the webpage, not the App.)
- In the middle of the screen, you will see your class schedule. Click the pencil icon.
- Choose "Drop Classes."
- Select the current semester.
- Click the "Click here to drop a class for a closed enrollment term" link at the top of the screen.
- Read the instructions and click continue.
- Select the term of the class you wish to drop.
- Once you see your schedule again, click next to the class you want to drop, then click the link that reads "Drop Selected Classes."
- Generate the drop form.
- If you are dropping a course after the 7th week of the term, you will have to take or send the drop form you generate to your academic dean's office for their signature.
Notes — A cumulative maximum of 2 courses may be dropped between the 8th and 12th week of classes during the terms/semesters in which the student has earned fewer than sixty hours of college credit.
A student may only drop 1 course after earning sixty hours of college credit and until graduation.
In addition to courses involved in allegations of academic dishonesty, other courses may be designated by the academic dean as not subject to this "late drop" provision.
Dropping English and Math courses — Students cannot drop introductory English and Math courses on their own. They must work with their academic dean's office to do so.
Term/Semester Withdrawal — To withdraw from all your courses, you should start by contacting your academic dean's office. You will then be directed from your academic dean's office to the Office of Withdrawal Services. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
Withdrawals requested after the 7th week of the term/semester are grade liable and will appear on the transcript for all courses as a "WD."
If a student needs assistance contacting their academic dean's office, they can reach the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu.
Fee Liability
Course Drops — Students are financially liable for any changes made to their course schedule after the end of the drop/add period.
Term/Semester Withdrawals — Students who cancel their registration after the end of the 4th week of classes are financially liable for any changes made to their course schedule. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
Course Drop — Course drops are not available absent exigent circumstances.
Term/Semester Withdrawal — To withdraw from all your courses, you should start by contacting your academic dean's office. You will then be directed from your academic dean's office to the Office of Withdrawal Services. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
Withdrawals requested after the 7th week of the term/semester are grade liable and will appear on the transcript for all courses as a "WD."
If a student needs assistance contacting their academic dean's office, they can reach the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu.
Fee Liability
Course Drops — Course drops are not available; students are fee liable for all courses on their schedule after the end of the drop/add period.
Term/Semester Withdrawals — Students who cancel their registration after the end of the 4th week of classes are financially liable for any changes made to their course schedule. (Note: summer term deadlines may be prorated; contact the Office of Withdrawal Services at 850-644-1741 for more details.)
A specialized type of course drop and term/semester withdrawal that may be requested at any time, including after a term/semester has been completed.
Important: Medical/mental health care must be provided within the same term that the student is requesting the course drop or term/semester withdrawal.
Such course drops and term/semester withdrawals requested after the 7th week of the term/semester are grade liable and will appear on the transcript for all courses as a "WD."
To start the process, a student should contact their academic dean's office.
If a student needs assistance contacting their academic dean's office, they can reach the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu.
University Resource — Learn more about Medical/Mental Health Course Drops through University Health Services
Fee Liability — If a Medical/Mental Health Course Drop or Term/Semester Withdrawal Request is approved, the student is absolved from fee liability. If tuition/fees have already been paid, the student will receive a full refund.
To be eligible for a refund, the Medical/Mental Health Course Drop or Term/Semester Withdrawal request must be submitted within six months of the end of the semester associated with the request (e.g., a Medical Course Drop for a course completed on December 12, 2025, must be submitted no later than June 12, 2026, to be eligible for a refund if the request is approved).
A specialized type of course drop and term/semester withdrawal that may be requested at any time, including after a term/semester has been completed. To learn more about Personal Hardships, a student should contact their academic dean's office.
Important: Documentation of the personal hardship must be provided within the same term that the student is requesting the course drop or term/semester withdrawal.
Such course drops and term/semester withdrawals requested after the 7th week of the term/semester are grade liable and will appear on the transcript for all courses as a "WD."
To start the process, a student should contact their academic dean's office. If a student needs assistance contacting their academic dean's office, they can reach the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu.
An index of academic dean's office websites is available below. For the College of Law, visit the College of Law Dean's Office website. Find your academic dean's office.
- Undergraduate Studies — undergradstudies@fsu.edu
- Applied Studies — appliedstudies@pc.fsu.edu
- Arts & Sciences — as-advising@fsu.edu
- Business — ugprog@business.fsu.edu
- Communication & Information — advising@cci.fsu.edu
- Criminology & Criminal Justice — advising@cccj.fsu.edu
- Education, Health, & Human Sciences — coehs-oasis@fsu.edu
- Engineering — studentsupport@eng.famu.fsu.edu
- Fine Arts — cfa-contact@fsu.edu
- Medicine — IMSAdvising@med.fsu.edu
- Motion Picture Arts — ltripp@fsu.edu & mcorreia@fsu.edu
- Music — musicstudentsuccess@fsu.edu
- Nursing — info@nursing.fsu.edu
- Social Sciences & Public Policy — cosspp-advising@fsu.edu
- Social Work — info@csw.fsu.edu
- Hospitality — DCH-admin@fsu.edu
- Entrepreneurship — advising@jmc.fsu.edu
- Law — saffairs@law.fsu.edu
Academic Dean's Course Drop & Fee Liability — If approved, an academic dean's office may recommend that a student be absolved from fee liability.
If the academic dean's office declines to recommend removing fee liability, a student may appeal the decision to the college's leadership.
A student may contact the Student Ombuds Office at studentombuds@fsu.edu to request advice and guidance with the appeal process.
If this process is not successful, the student may also submit a Drop/Add Tuition Refund Appeal to the University Refund Committee (see below).
Academic Dean's Withdrawal & Fee Liability — Even if approved, an academic dean's office may not recommend that the student be absolved from fee liability.
University Refund Committee
University Resource — Learn more about tuition and fee appeals through the Office of the University Registrar
A method to appeal for the refund of tuition and fees.
Drop/Add Tuition Refund Appeal (associated with course drops)
University Refund Committee Petition (associated with term/semester withdrawals)
Before requesting a course drop, term/semester withdrawal, Medical/Mental Health Course Drop or Term/Semester Withdrawal, or Personal Hardship Course Drop or Term/Semester Withdrawal, a student should consult with the Office of Financial Aid (850-644-0539) to discuss any financial aid-related impacts. Specific items to discuss include, but are not limited to:
- Full-time student status
- Student loans
- Florida Pre-Paid
- Bright Futures
- Any scholarships from Florida State University
Students in the United States on any type of student visa should not make any changes to their schedule without first consulting their CGE Advisor.