Fee Adjustments for Courses Dropped/Withdrawn

Tuition Adjustments for Dropped Courses/Withdrawal Policy

Students who are admitted and register for courses at Winthrop University are financially responsible for fees and charges associated with those courses. Therefore, students are encouraged to complete all courses for which they register. In the event it becomes necessary for a student to drop one or more courses or completely withdraw from the University, an academic charge adjustment may be made using the following guidelines:

Fee Adjustment Schedules by Term

Academic Fee Adjustments for Courses Dropped/Withdrawn (Fall/Spring)

Should a student need to drop one or more courses (bringing them below 12 credit hours) the following adjustments to academic charges will be made.

Date Course(s) Dropped/Withdrawn* Percentage Adjustment

Before the end of the 1st week of classes — 100%
Before the end of the 2nd week of classes — 75%
Before the end of the 3rd week of classes — 50%
Before the end of the 4th week of classes — 25%

*The week for academic fee adjustments begins with the 1st day of classes scheduled for the term.

NOTICE: Adjustments to tuition and fees are calculated from the date of official withdrawal or reduction of course load. Students may reduce their courseload online through Wingspan. Withdrawal is initiated in the Office of Records and Registration in 126 Tillman.

Housing and Meal Adjustments are determined in the Residence Life Office. A schedule of adjustments is available to students in the Residence Life Office, 237 DiGiorgio Center.

IMPORTANT: Students Receiving Title IV Federal Financial Aid

Students who receive funds from the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct or PLUS Loans and officially or unofficially withdraw from the University are subject to the Return of Title IV Funds regulations.

  • Simply stated, students with funds from any of these programs "earn" their financial aid dollars while enrolled.
  • If a student officially or unofficially withdraws prior to completing 60% of a term, a prorated portion of the federal financial aid dollars must be considered "unearned" and returned to the federal programs.
  • Unearned financial aid dollars which have to be returned to the federal aid programs could cause students to owe the University a significant amount upon withdrawal.
  • In addition to the amount of federal aid that Winthrop must return, students who received financial aid for other educational costs, including offcampus living expenses, may be required to repay a portion of those funds to the federal programs.
  • Failure to return aid due back to the federal aid programs will result in loss of eligibility for federal financial aid assistance.

More information regarding Withdrawals for Federal Title IV Recipients can be found on the WU Policy Repository.

IMPORTANT: Students Receiving SC State Scholarships/Grants/SAP

Students who receive funds from the state of South Carolina (LIFE, LIFE Enhancement, Palmetto Fellows, Palmetto Fellows Enhancement, SC Grant and CAP) and officially or unofficially withdraw from the University are subject to CHE's guidance regarding the return of state financial aid.

  • Simply stated, if a student officially or unofficially withdraws prior to completing the term, South Carolina scholarships and grants will be adjusted following the same percentage that tuition is (e.g. 50%) and returned to the appropriate CHE program.
  • Scholarship/Grant funds have to be returned to the state aid programs could cause students to owe the University upon withdrawal.

A downloadable copy of this policy can be found here: Fee Adjustments for Courses Dropped/Withdrawn (pdf - 157kb)

Students Called to Active Duty Fee Adjustment/Withdrawal Policy 

Students called to active duty must present the Office of Records and Registration with a copy of their military orders and complete a "Withdrawal from Winthrop University" form and have it signed by the Financial Aid (if applicable) and Student Financial Services offices.  The Office of Records and Registration will then notify the appropriate university offices of the student's withdrawal and military obligation.  More information regarding the Withdrawal Policy for Students Called to Active Duty can be found on the WU Policy Repository

Tuition Insurance

Winthrop University has negotiated with GradGuard to provide our families with tuition insurance by Allianz Global Assistance featuring special plans and rates not available to the general public. This coverage expands the scope of our refund policy by ensuring reimbursement for tuition, room and board and other fees for covered withdrawals at any time during the semester. Plans also include Student Life Assistance: a 24-hour emergency hotline that offers students and parents even greater peace of mind.

Read more information.