Medical Withdrawal
Medical Withdrawal, when approved, withdraws a student from a semester or term for medical reasons. A student may request a Medical Withdrawal (MW) from the University before the end of a given semester or term (last day of class before finals begin) if, during the course of that same semester or term, they encounter a physical or mental condition and/or experience a serious injury that prevents them from meeting the normal expectations of a student. The severity and duration of the condition must be such that it would not be reasonable for the student to make up any absences for missed work.
The request must be clearly supported with documentation by a healthcare provider seen during the semester or term in question. Requests for a MW are made by the student through the processes outlined below. The Office of the Dean of Students holds the ultimate authority to approve a MW. The student will receive a decision via email once all of their forms have been submitted and reviewed.
*If you want to withdraw before the term starts or within the first five days of a full semester (first 3 days of summer/winter term or a sprint course), fill out the Withdrawal/Cancellation App to cancel your classes and charges. You do not need to fill out the medical withdrawal paperwork.
If you are unsure if MW is right for you, please complete the Self-Assessment Form to help assist in your decision about taking a MW.
2024-25 Medical Withdrawal Deadlines
All required paperwork must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the following days in order for a MW request to be reviewed.
Summer Term 2024
- Current Term Medical Withdrawal: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024
- Late Medical Withdrawal: Monday, Sept. 23, 2024
Fall 2024
- Current Term Medical Withdrawal: Friday, Dec. 6, 2024
- Late Medical Withdrawal: Monday, Jan. 20, 2025
Winter Term 2025
- Current Term Medical Withdrawal: Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
- Late Medical Withdrawal: Monday, March 10, 2025
Spring 2025
- Current Term Medical Withdrawal: Friday, May 9, 2025
- Late Medical Withdrawal: Monday, June 23, 2025
Summer Term 2025
- Current Term Medical Withdrawal: Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
- Late Medical Withdrawal: Monday, Sept. 22, 2025
Current Term Medical Withdrawal
Assessment: The student must first complete an assessment by a healthcare provider who will determine if the student has a condition that is preventing them from meeting the expectations of being a student. This assessment may be completed by staff at the Student Health Service, the Student Counseling Service, or by another healthcare provider.
Follow the steps below to complete your request for a Medical Withdrawal (MW):
- Complete the online Student Withdrawal App and select “medical reasons” when prompted.
- Please note that international students (F1 or J1 status) will then be directed to complete the remainder of the process through the office of International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) for current term requests.
- Submit a completed MW Provider Report Form after it is filled out by your healthcare provider. Please submit this form to our office via the MW Upload Form. If necessary, you may submit this form via fax or email. If faxed, please follow up with a phone call to our office to verify that it was received.
Decision: Once all steps have been completed, we will review the request and paperwork. You will receive a decision and/or next steps via email. Please note that submitting forms last minute or during peak times (beginning and end of the term) will result in delayed processing.
What the Medical Withdrawal Does
Student Records: A Medical Withdrawal (MW) will relieve a student of responsibility for uncompleted academic work by withdrawing them from all classes, but will not provide credit for work already completed that term (there may be an exception for sprint courses - see below). The student’s transcript from a term for which an MW has been granted will indicate only “officially withdrawn [date]” without specifying the nature of the reason for that withdrawal in order to protect the privacy of the student.
Grades: The normal grading policies and procedures for students who withdraw during an academic semester or term, as described in The Student Handbook, will apply to students who are medically withdrawn. This means a student may receive a "W" (for ‘withdrawal’) on their transcript for the courses that are dropped due to a MW depending on the date they last attended classes. A “W” carries no credit and is not calculated in the grade point average (GPA), but may have an impact on future financial aid eligibility.
Sprint Courses: A sprint course is any course less than one full term length, including any summer term course not lasting the entire summer. If the student requesting MW has successfully completed a sprint course with a passing grade prior to the date of the student’s last attendance for that term, they may be eligible to retain the sprint grade/credit. The request to keep a sprint course must be indicated on the MW request form as well as a rationale for retaining it; otherwise, it will also be removed from the student’s record. The decision regarding the sprint course will be indicated in the final MW decision letter. Please be aware that retaining a sprint course for the requested term will make the student ineligible to receive a Medical Tuition Credit for the requested term.
Determine financial options: Please review the information in the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Late Medical Withdrawal
Under limited circumstances, a student may request a late Medical Withdrawal for a semester or term that has already been completed. All requests/paperwork for a late Medical Withdrawal must be submitted no later than 45 days from the last day of class of the semester or term for which the withdrawal is requested.
*If a student is academically suspended or dismissed from the university at the end of the term for which the Medical Withdrawal is sought, they are only eligible to apply if they are able to provide documentation of a hospitalization or other in-patient treatment that occurred at/near the end of the term that would have prevented them from applying for the Medical Withdrawal prior to the deadline (last day of class).
Assessment: The student must have completed an assessment by a healthcare provider during the semester or term in question (or within the 45-day late period) who has determined the student had a condition that was preventing them from meeting the expectations of a student. This assessment may have been completed by staff at the Student Health Service, the Student Counseling Service, or by another healthcare provider.
Follow the steps below to complete your request for a late Medical Withdrawal (MW):
- Complete the online Student Withdrawal App and select “medical reasons” when prompted.
- Please note that international students (F1 or J1 status) will then be directed to complete the remainder of the process through the office of International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) for current term requests.
- Submit a completed MW Provider Report Form after it is filled out by your health care provider. Please submit this form to our office via the MW Upload Form. If necessary, you may submit this form via fax or email. If faxed, please follow up with a phone call to our office to verify that it was received.
Decision: Once all steps have been completed, we will review the request and paperwork. You will receive a decision and/or next steps via email. Please note that submitting forms “last minute” or during peak times (beginning and end of the term) will result in delayed processing.
What the Late Medical Withdrawal Does
Student Records: A late MW will relieve a student of responsibility for academic work by withdrawing them from all classes, but will not provide credit for work completed that term (there may be an exception for sprint courses - see below). The student’s transcript from a term for which an MW has been granted will indicate only “officially withdrawn [date]” without specifying the nature of the reason for that withdrawal in order to protect the privacy of the student.
Grades: The normal grading policies and procedures for students who withdraw during an academic semester or term, as described in The Student Handbook, will apply to students who are approved for a late medical withdrawal. This means a student may receive a "W" (for ‘withdrawal’) on their transcript for the courses that are dropped due to a MW depending on the date they last attended classes. A “W” carries no credit and is not calculated in the grade point average (GPA), but may have an impact on future financial aid eligibility.
Sprint Courses: A sprint course is any course less than one full term length, including any summer term course not lasting the entire summer. If the student requesting a late MW has successfully completed a sprint course with a passing grade prior to the date of the student’s last attendance for that term, they may be eligible to retain the sprint grade/credit. The request to keep a sprint course must be indicated on the MW request form as well as a rationale for retaining it; otherwise, it will also be removed from the student’s record. The decision regarding the sprint course will be indicated in the final MW decision letter. Please be aware that retaining a sprint course for the requested term will make the student ineligible to receive a Medical Tuition Credit for the requested term.
Determine financial options: Please review the information in the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Returning from a Medical Withdrawal
After a MW is approved and processed, the student will be required to complete additional steps in order to lift holds, re-enroll, and/or register for a future term. The return process must be completed by the stated university re-enrollment dates as found in the Policy Manual. You will not be able to return if your MW return paperwork is submitted after these dates.
Clinical Follow-up: The student should engage with ongoing treatment as recommended by and agreed to with a healthcare professional. It is strongly suggested that each student work with their healthcare professional toward the goal of returning to academic life, including the creation of a plan to help the student manage stressors and remain active, engaged, and successful at achieving their academic goals. The student should feel well prepared for the rigors of returning to school after an absence before applying for re-enrollment. At a minimum, the student must be re-evaluated by a healthcare professional prior to application for return to the university. A decision about the student’s return status will include a review of documented treatment received during the time away.
Required return steps: After the MW has been fully processed, the student will need to log into their MyMiami account and view the holds listed at the top of the page. Please follow the steps below in order to have holds lifted and re-enroll:
- Medical Hold: If the student has a medical hold on their account, they must have their medical provider complete a Return From MW Form and submit that form via the MW Upload Form. If necessary, you may submit this form via fax or email. If faxed, please follow up with a phone call to our office to verify that it was received. Once the correctly completed form has been received, we will process it and send a confirmation/decision via email with next steps. Removal of the medical hold will not affect other holds previously placed by other offices.
- Advising Hold: If the student has an advising hold, they will need to contact their Divisional Advising Office to have it lifted.
- Other Holds: Additional holds should have contact information for the office that handles that particular hold. The student should work with each office to have holds lifted. If you have any questions or need additional help with non-medical holds (Bursar, Rinella, etc.), contact the One Stop for help at 513-529-0001.
- Re-enrollment: After all holds have been lifted, the student will need to submit the online Application for Re-enrollment. Re-enrollment takes a minimum of 48 hours to be processed but could take up to two weeks during peak processing times (beginning and end of term). Please keep in mind that if the student applies for re-enrollment before the medical hold is lifted, the re-enrollment will not be processed.
- Contact the Office of the Dean of Students (513-529-1877, deanofstudents@MiamiOH.edu) to schedule a re-entry meeting upon your return to campus. Ideally, this meeting should take place within the first 3 weeks of the semester/term in which you return from MW.
Please note: MW is a withdrawal from the requested term only and will not impact future registration. Some holds (medical) may lead to the cancellation of future term classes if not lifted by the published deadlines. Students will want to have all holds lifted as soon as they are able if they plan to return to Miami. If the student does not plan to return, they should make sure future term classes are canceled/dropped to avoid being charged. If you are unsure how your holds might affect future registration, check with the One Stop at 513-529-0001.
Determine financial options: Please review the information in the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m really struggling this semester, but I’m not sure if Medical Withdrawal is right for me. How do I know?
Medical withdrawal is a necessary process for many students experiencing physical or mental conditions and/or a serious injury that prevents them from meeting the normal expectations of a student. Hundreds of students each year choose to go through the MW process and most choose to return back to the university successfully. During a medical withdrawal consultation, you can also discuss if this process is the right option for you based on your unique circumstances. If you are still unsure, please complete the Self-Assessment Form to help assist in your decision about taking a MW.
What happens in a Medical Withdrawal Consultation?
During a medical withdrawal consultation, you will meet with a staff member who will walk through the steps of a medical withdrawal and answer any questions from you or your family members.
Can I medically withdraw from only one of my classes?
MW is “all or nothing”: It is not possible to receive a MW from individual classes, while remaining enrolled in other classes. You may petition the Inter-Divisional Committee of Advisors for withdrawal from individual classes after the withdrawal deadline by contacting your Divisional Advisor.
How will a MW affect my grades and other records?
A MW will withdraw a student from all classes, but will not provide credit for work completed. You may receive a "W" (for 'withdrawal') for each course on your transcript from a term for which an MW has been granted, with a notation of “[Date] Officially withdrew [term] Semester [year]”. A “W” carries no credit and is not calculated in the grade point average (GPA), but may have an impact on future financial aid eligibility.
When will my MW go into effect?
The effective withdrawal date for a MW is the last recorded date that you attended classes; not the date of onset of the condition or the date the forms are submitted/processed.
What’s the deadline for requesting a MW?
All requests for a MW from the current term should be completed and submitted before the end of the term (last day of classes prior to finals week) and as close as possible to the last date of class attendance as indicated on the MW request form. Requests submitted after the last day of classes prior to finals week will be considered late requests. All requests for a late MW must be made within 45 days from the completion of the semester or term (last day of class prior to finals week) for which the withdrawal is requested.
What are the financial options for a Medical Withdrawal?
Students who complete a Medical Withdrawal may be eligible for either a percentage refund of their tuition and fees or a Medical Withdrawal Tuition Credit, depending on a few factors. The percentage refund may be refundable directly to the student, and the tuition credit is a non-refundable credit which can be used toward either a current balance or a future semester’s tuition at Miami University.
Note: If you have an unpaid balance, or if withdrawing causes any reductions to your financial aid or scholarships that create a balance due, any refund or credit from your Medical Withdrawal will go toward reducing your balance due first.
Do I qualify for a refund if I complete a Medical Withdrawal?
If your Medical Withdrawal is approved you will be withdrawn based on your last date of attendance or participation in classes. If your last date of attendance falls within the refund period, a percentage of your tuition and fees will be reversed by the published schedule. If this generates a credit on your account, this amount may be refundable directly to you. Your attendance date cannot be appealed or modified by the Office of the Bursar. When the Registrar processes an approved Medical Withdrawal, the last date of attendance will be reviewed and entered based on faculty records.
What is the refund period?
The schedule below applies to Medical Withdrawals during the Fall and Spring semesters. Winter and summer term schedules are also available.
Day of Term | Refund |
---|---|
1-5 | 100% |
6-8 | 90% |
9-20 | 50% |
21-30 | 35% |
31-40 | 25% |
After 40 | 0% |
Can I be reimbursed through my Tuition Protection Insurance?
Students who purchased tuition insurance should consult with their insurance company about filing a claim. If you purchased insurance from Miami’s partner company, GradGuard, you can call 877-794-6603 or email claimsinquiry@allianzassistance.com to request information about your policy coverage and to initiate a claim.
What is the Medical Withdrawal Tuition Credit?
The Medical Withdrawal Tuition Credit is a credit that can be used toward a future semester’s tuition at Miami University. The value of the credit equals up to 100% tuition and fees minus any university scholarships, grants, waivers, or adjustments to financial aid. The tuition credit is a one-time, non-refundable option, and must be used within 3 years of the withdrawal or it will expire. The tuition credit can be used at any of Miami University’s campuses, and is not transferable to other institutions or to other parties. Once your Medical Withdrawal is approved, you will have the opportunity to request additional information about your eligibility for the Medical Withdrawal Tuition Credit.
Note: Students who have tuition insurance are ineligible for the tuition credit, and instead should consult with their insurance company regarding filing a claim. Students who complete a sprint course during the semester of withdrawal and wish to retain their final grade are also ineligible for the tuition credit.
Will my scholarships or financial aid be impacted as a result of my Medical Withdrawal?
Withdrawing from the university can sometimes have an impact on financial aid and scholarships. If you have any questions regarding the following, please consult with a financial aid counselor via the One Stop on your campus. Some things to consider are:
- A portion of your financial aid may be reversed and charged back to your Bursar account so that it can be returned to the U.S. Department of Education. This is called a Return of Title IV. The amount that is reversed is based on the effective date of your withdrawal.
- Eligibility for future financial aid may change. Students are required to meet the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to continue qualifying for aid in the future, such as a 2.0 cumulative GPA and completion of 67% or more total credit hours.
- Repayment responsibilities on student loans may change. Once withdrawn, student and/or parent borrowers will want to contact their loan servicer for information on how and when to begin repaying any borrowed loans. Federal loan information can be found at studentaid.gov. For additional support, contact Miami’s partner Ascendium Repayment Support at 800-815-1288 Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Will I be reimbursed for my housing and/or meal plan?
Housing and meal plan charges are not considered tuition and are handled separately from the tuition refund and credit options. For information on housing and/or meal plan reimbursement, please contact the Campus Services Center at 513-529-5000 or email campusservicescenter@MiamiOH.edu.
Can I medically withdraw from a previous semester?
Under extraordinary circumstances, you may request a late MW for a semester or term that has already been completed (within 45 days of the last day of class prior to finals week). Requests must be supported by documentation from a healthcare provider (which may include a healthcare provider from the Student Health or Student Counseling Service) who diagnosed and/or treated you during the semester or term for which withdrawal is sought or within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Please be aware that other factors (such as grades and past academic record) will also be considered when reviewing a late request.
Can I apply for a late medical withdrawal if I have been academically suspended or dismissed from Miami?
If you are academically suspended or dismissed from the university at the end of the term for which the Medical Withdrawal is sought, you are only eligible to apply if you are able to provide documentation of a hospitalization or other in-patient treatment that occurred at/near the end of the term that would have prevented you from applying for the Medical Withdrawal prior to the deadline (last day of class).
I need more time off, how do I medically withdraw from next semester?
You do not need to take a MW for a future term: The MW is a withdrawal from a current (ongoing) term. If a student needs to cancel their schedule for a future term that has not yet started, it is not necessary to file MW paperwork. In this situation, you should complete the University's Student Withdrawal and Cancellation Form in a timely manner to avoid being charged.
I’m coming back next semester and have already registered, will my MW cancel my registration for next semester?
MW is a withdrawal from the requested term only and will not impact future registration that has already been completed at the time of withdrawal. However, if you do not fully complete the return from MW process by the stated deadline dates, your future registration will be cancelled at that time.
How can I undo my medical withdrawal?
Once processed, the MW is not reversible.
What happens in a Medical Withdrawal Re-entry Meeting?
During a medical withdrawal re-entry meeting, you will meet with a staff member who will talk with you about your time away on medical withdrawal and your return to campus. We will review recommendations made by your healthcare provider, answer any questions you may have, explore support resources that might benefit you, and provide referrals to other staff members as needed.
Further Assistance
For questions regarding the Medical Withdrawal procedures or to schedule a meeting, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-1877.
Dean of Students
110 Warfield Hall, 451 E. Spring St.Oxford, OH 45056
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. deanofstudents@MiamiOH.edu 513-529-1877 Directions