Withdrawal Process

Before submitting a withdrawal form, students should carefully review the information below regarding academic and financial implications of withdrawing. Students withdrawing from all classes after they have confirmed or paid their bill must initiate a withdrawal through the Office of the Registrar or the Graduate School.

Undergraduate & post-bacc students: Semester Withdrawal Form

Graduate students: Graduate Semester Withdrawal Form

Grading Implications

If a student withdraws on or before the 15th day of classes, they do not receive grades for any courses. Withdrawals completed between the 16th and 60th day of classes will result in a W grade for all courses. Students cannot withdraw after the 60th day of classes. The date of withdrawal is the date the student completes the withdrawal request form, unless otherwise stated by the Registrar’s Office.

For extraordinary circumstances, students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss a Leave of Absence.

Financial Implications

There can be significant financial consequences of withdrawing, depending on how a student funds their semester. An outstanding balance with MSU may be generated even if the withdrawal occurs on or before the 15th day of classes.

  • Using the date of first contact, the Office of Financial Aid determines how much federal financial aid a student has earned and how much must be returned, in accordance with federal regulations. This policy applies to students who withdraw prior to completing 60% of the semester.
  • Any federal funds that were not earned will be returned to the Federal Department of Education. Students are responsible for paying any resulting outstanding balance through Student Accounts.
  • A similar evaluation is completed for state and institutional aid.

  • Private loans are not subject to federal financial aid regulations and instead follow lender-specific policies regarding withdrawal impacts. In most cases, private loans do not get returned and remain as loan debt to be repaid. Students are responsible for checking with their lender to confirm their specific repayment requirements.

  • Institutional scholarships and waivers may be canceled or returned based on the timing and conditions of the award. For example, if a scholarship is designated for tuition and tuition charges are removed, the scholarship will be removed. Other adjustments may be made to offset charges to the student account after charges are revised. Students are responsible for paying the remaining balance through Student Accounts.
  • Externally funded scholarships are subject to individual requirements regarding withdrawal impacts. Students should contact their scholarship provider to confirm the impacts of withdrawing.

  • Veteran Benefits: Students may be required to repay veteran benefits regardless of withdrawal timeframe. Students should contact the Veteran Services Office to discuss the impacts of withdrawing.
  • Voc Rehab: Students’ future funding may be impacted if they withdraw. Cases are handled on an individual basis, and students should contact their Voc Rehab Counselor to discuss their situation.

  • Students who elect MSU health insurance will lose coverage upon withdrawal. The Wellness Center Basic Needs Navigator can assist students with identifying alternative health insurance options.
  • Students who have not used their MSU health insurance during the semester will receive a full refund.

  • Students with an approved Contract Release Form will be issued a refund according to the Room and Board Refund Schedule. Students should contact the Community Director of their residence hall to discuss the Contract Release Form.
  • Students who cancel their housing contract before the end of the contract period (end of spring semester) will be assessed a $300 cancelation fee.

  • The registration fee, tuition payment plan processing fee, orientation fee, ID fee, late fees, social fee, foreign student fee, bookstore fees, and dorm deposit are non-refundable.

Spring 2026 Semester Withdrawal - Reduction of Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees are reduced according to the following timeline. The reduction does not guarantee a refund, and students should review the financial implications of withdrawing outlined above.

Part of Term

Term

Date

100%

Reduction

90%

Reduction

75%

Reduction

50%

Reduction

0%

Reduction
Full Semester Session Jan 13 - May 7  January 12 Jan 13 - Jan 20 Jan 21 - Jan 27 Jan 28 - Feb 3 February 4
First Session Jan 13 - March 6  January 12 Jan 13 - Jan 15 Jan 16 - Jan 21 Jan 22 - Jan 26 January 27 
Late Start Jan 26 - May 7 January 25 Jan 26 - Jan 30 Jan 31 - Feb 6 Feb 7 - Feb 13 February 14
Second Session March 9 - May 7 March 8  March 9 - March 11 March 12 - March 23 March 24 - March 26 March 27 
Non-Standard Term Dates* Jan 13 - May 7  January 12 Jan 13 - Jan 20 Jan 21 - Jan 27 Jan 28 - Feb 3 February 4
Multiple Terms Combined**  Jan 13 - May 7  January 12 Jan 13 - Jan 20 Jan 21 - Jan 27 Jan 28 - Feb 3 February 4

*Non-Standard Term Dates refers to courses that do not conform to any other part of term. These are usually highly specialized courses. 

**Multiple Terms Combined refers to a class schedule that combines two or more parts of term.