Dropping Courses
- Print the Student Calendar with drop deadlines for full-term courses.
- FAQs about dropping a course: What are the consequences?
How to Drop a Class in myCuesta (PDF)
How to Drop a Class in myCuesta (video tutorial)
It is the student's responsibility to drop courses within drop deadlines. Deadlines for dropping courses are posted in the online Class Finder by clicking on the CRN and appears on an enrolled student's myCuesta Class Schedule/Receipt.
To drop a course online, students login to myCuesta:
- Open the Student Self Service portlet.
- Click on "Register for Classes"
- Use the drop-down menu beside the course and select the drop-down option
- Click "Submit"
- Under Status, confirm course dropped.
Students should review Progress Probation/Dismissal Policy and Financial Aid's Academic Progress Policy when dropping courses.
Students will be held financially responsible for fees related
to classes not dropped within the refund deadlines.
Click here for: Grade Change Policy and Deadlines
Students must drop a full term course by the Sunday before the start of the term (or prior to the first class meeting of a short term or Summer course) to be eligible to receive a full refund of fees, less a $10.00 processing fee, OR to reverse all unpaid registration fees. Only refunds which include the per unit enrollment fee are charged the $10 processing fee. A written request for a refund must be submitted to the Cashier's Office by the end of the 4th week of the term or by the end of the following week after a short-term or Summer course ends. No notation (grade or symbol) will be posted on the student's academic record when a course is dropped within refund deadlines.
The student will receive a partial refund for a course dropped on or after the first class meeting and within the last day to drop for a refund deadline. The deadline is calculated as within 10% of a short-term course or by the end of the 2nd week (Sunday) for a full-term course.
A partial refund is the enrollment fee and nonresident tuition (if applicable), less a $10.00 processing fee. The student is responsible for paying all other registration fees associated with a course. A written request for a refund must be submitted to the Cashier's Office by the end of the 4th week of the term or by the end of the following week after a short-term or Summer course ends. No notation (grade or symbol) will be posted on the student's academic record when a course is dropped within refund deadlines.
No notation (grade or symbol) will be posted on a student's academic record if a course is dropped by the last day to drop without a "W" which is the end of the second week of the term for a full-term course or within 20% of a short-term or Summer course.
Note: Students who drop all courses and receive no academic grade or symbol ("W") in a term will not be eligible for priority registration as a continuing student in the next term.
Students may drop or withdraw from a course through the end of the 12th week (Sunday) for a full-term course or within 60% of a short term or Summer course and receive a "W" for withdrawal symbol on their academic record.
- A student may earn no more than a maximum of three (3) withdrawals ("W" symbol") in a non-repeatable course.
Form: Petition to Drop for Excused Withdrawal
Title 5, section 55024 regulations allow for an Excused Withdrawal (EW) grading symbol. The purpose of the EW non-evaluative symbol is to permit a student to withdraw from a course for reasons beyond their control with verifiable documentation provided.
Verifiable documentation can include, but is not limited to a note from a doctor stating the student is not currently able to complete the work due to illness, employment verification of a new job outside of San Luis Obispo County or geographical region, a booking report, police report of an accident, death certificate or obituary of immediate family member, or any other documentation that verifies the student’s extenuating circumstances or that completion of a course is beyond the student’s control.
Forms: Registration Fee Refunds
Students will be notified by phone and/or myCuesta student email if administratively dropped or if a course has been cancelled by action of the college. It is the student's responsibility to submit a refund request form to the Cashier's Office.
Form: Withdrawal from All Classes
Military withdrawal occurs when a student who is a member of an active or reserve United States military service receives orders compelling a withdrawal from courses. The student must verify such orders with registration staff at the time of the withdrawal and complete a Withdrawal form. Copies of these orders must be submitted by the student to the Cashier with a written refund request. Students withdrawing under this college policy will receive a grade of "MW" for each course from which they withdraw and shall be entitled to a full refund of all enrollment fees paid to the college unless academic credit has been awarded.
Students may withdraw from all courses online within the drop deadlines. Once the final withdrawal (drop with W) deadline passes, a grade of an "F" will likely be awarded if the student has not arranged with the instructor to complete minimum course requirements. If the final withdrawal deadline has passed and the student experiences verifiable extenuating circumstances preventing their completion of the course before finals, the student may petition to drop with a "W" for withdrawal on their record.