Cancel/ Withdrawal Policy
The process by which students are removed from courses is a withdrawal. Withdrawals may be University or student initiated and may affect all or individual courses. Additionally, withdrawals affect new or continuing students, reflect on student transcripts, and are appealable. The effect on student charges are determined by the last date of attendance (LDA) and refunds are issued based on the date of determination (DOD) which is published in the refunds section of this catalog, except when a student does not return after a term of STNA.
Student-Initiated-Withdrawal
Pre-Start Cancel: A new student who intends to withdraw prior to the first day of the term will be considered a “Pre-Start Cancel” and not reflect in any institutionally registered measurement.
Cancel: A first-time student at Stratford University has the right to cancel their Enrollment Agreement by contacting the Admissions Office; first-term students have the option to defer their enrollment to a future term. If a first-time student selects to cancel, they will be required to submit a new admission application to attend a future Term. If a first-time student cancels within the first four weeks of session C and the first two weeks of sessions A and B, they will be dropped from all classes, and all term fees will be de-assessed. Full tuition paid will be refunded except the non-refundable application fee and activity fee. Any withdrawals for the first-time student after week 4 for session C and week 2 of session A and B, withdrawal policy will be applied, and you will receive a “W” grade.
Readmit students are not eligible for a cancellation. Cancellations and withdraws of international students is decided by the International Student Office. For “cancel” students, the transcript does not reflect enrollment in any courses, charges are reversed, and any funds returned. Any stipend funds received by the student are owed back to Stratford University.
A new student who does not attend any classes is cancelled; non-attendance constitutes student-initiation. Student Support Services contacts these students to notify them of the cancellation.
Drop: Continuing students may drop all or individual courses from the first day after Add/Drop Period to the end of seventh week in C session, end of in the second week of the A session, and end of second week of the B session. Courses dropped before these dates receive a W grade; courses dropped after these dates receive grades based on student achievements. Withdrawal forms are available in the Office of the Registrar. The last date of attendance is the last recorded date of attendance. Refunds are based on the refund policy published in this catalog.
A student may petition withdraw from a course at any time based on medical need, family emergency, a death in the immediate family, or other significant circumstance resulting in unforeseen hardship for the student. Petitions will be reviewed by academic advisors, who, with the student’s permission, will consult with medical personnel where appropriate. Consultation with faculty members, the student’s advisor, and/or others will be part of the decision process. Petitions will be considered for approval by the Campus President.
Administrative Withdrawal/University Initiated
Failure to register: Continuing students who do not register for a subsequent term or who do not return from STNA are withdrawn from the University. This is determined at the end of the Add/Drop Period. The last date of attendance is the last date recorded as present. The transcript does not reflect enrollment and there are no charges for the term.
University-Initiated
Failure to attend: Continuing students who do not attend the first three course meetings of all courses are withdrawn from the University. This is determined after the third scheduled class is missed. The last day of attendance is the last date recorded as present. The transcript does not reflect enrollment in these courses, charges are reversed, and any funds returned.
Attendance: A continuing student who is absent from three consecutive course meetings of a C session course, or two consecutive meetings of an A or B session course, which are not the first course meetings is automatically withdrawn. Lab and lecture are considered course meetings. This may be for one or all courses for which the student is registered.
For C session courses, if the three consecutive absences occur at or before the end of seventh week the student receives a W grade. If any or all of the absences occur after these dates, the student will not be withdrawn from the class and a grade is awarded based on student achievement.
For A and B sessions, if the two consecutive absences occur at or before the fourth week, the student receives a W grade. If any or all of the absences occur after these dates, the student will not be withdrawn from the class and a grade is awarded based on student achievement.
The last date of attendance is the last recorded as present. Refunds are based on the refund policy published in this catalog. Students may appeal this action based on the attendance appeals process published in the catalog.
No show: Any student who does not attend the first three course meetings of an individual course is withdrawn from that course. This is determined after the third scheduled class is missed. The transcript does not reflect enrollment in these courses, charges are reversed, and any funds returned. The student who simply does not show up to class, makes no effort to get in touch with the instructor, and is unresponsive to communication from student services and/or the instructor may not appeal; students in other circumstances may appeal following the appeal process.
Military Withdrawal
In accordance with Executive Order 13607, Principles of Excellence, Stratford University allows any service member ordered to perform active military service to withdraw from current courses and granted re-admittance upon returning to the University without incurring any financial penalty. If the student is temporarily unable to attend class or has to suspend studies due to service requirements, Stratford University will take additional steps to accommodate any short absence due to the service commitment. Additional steps can include granting an extension to complete all required assignments.
Re-Entry after Withdrawal
Students who have been withdrawn from all courses or the University entirely must complete a re-entry form prior to registering for a subsequent term. Re-entry students are those who have been away from the University less than one year based on the Last Date of Attendance (LDA); this includes students who are reentering after a successful appeal to a withdrawal. A student on STNA is considered to be enrolled. Students who enroll into the same program enter into their original catalog year unless a program change or program upgrade is requested by the student. This form is available from the student’s program department or the Office of the Registrar.