Policy For Withdrawals and Drops

All withdrawals from Distance Education courses must be approved and processed by the Distance Education staff. Withdrawals may be initiated by the student, the course instructor or a University administrative staff member.

All student-initiated drop or withdrawal requests must be in writing by email, fax, U.S. Mail, or hand delivery to the Distance Education Office.

Semester-based Courses
Students who drop one or more courses during the first week of semester-based courses will receive a 100 percent credit adjustment of tuition and student activity fees; during the second week, a 75 percent credit adjustment; during the third week, a 50 percent credit adjustment; during the fourth week, a 25 percent credit adjustment; and no credit adjustment thereafter. The University refund policy will be pro-rated for those courses that meet less than a sixteen-week semester.

8-week Accelerated Courses
Students who drop one or more courses during the first 3 business days of an 8-week term will receive a 100 percent credit adjustment of tuition and student activity fees; during the fourth through the sixth business days of a term, a 75% credit adjustment; during the seventh through the ninth business days of a term, a 50% refund; during the tenth through the twelfth business days of a term, a 25% credit adjustment; and no credit adjustment thereafter.

Independent Study or Open Enrollment Courses
Students who provide notice of withdrawal during the first 30 days after official enrollment in Independent Study (12 month) or Open Enrollment (6 month) courses, are eligible to receive a 100 percent credit adjustment of tuition if no lessons have been completed during that period. If the student has completed less than 50 percent of the lessons during this 30-day period, an administrative fee of 10% of the tuition for the course plus any amount(s) paid to the faculty for evaluation of lessons may be charged. Refunds will not be made if enrollment exceeds 30 days and/or 50 percent or more of the lessons have been completed.

Withdrawal from Semester-based Courses

For all semester-based distance education courses, approved withdrawals with a grade of “W” that are initiated by the student may be made up to and including Friday of the tenth calendar week of each fall or spring semester, and Friday of the sixth calendar week for the ten (10) week of the summer distance education term.

Withdrawal from 8-week Courses

For all 8-week distance education courses, approved withdrawals with a grade of “W” that are initiated by the student may be made up to and including the Friday of the fifth calendar week of the distance education term.

Withdrawal from Independent Study or Open Enrollment Courses

A student may withdraw from an Independent Study course at any time prior to taking the final examination with no academic penalty for withdrawal. A “W” grade will be recorded.

Withdrawal from School

To receive honorable dismissal, a student who voluntarily withdraws from the University and who is enrolled in distance education courses must notify the Distance Education Office, as well as the Dean of Students Office. Instructors will be notified when withdrawal procedures are complete.

Withdrawal from Courses by Partnership (IPSE/ICN) Students

Students taking courses at Vincennes University through the Indiana College Network may initiate a withdrawal by providing written notification to their home institution. Withdrawal notification must be made in accordance with the policies and procedures of the student’s home institution. A copy of the notification should also be forwarded to the Distance Education Office at Vincennes University.

Drops for Non-participation in Distance Education Courses

Semester-based Courses - In the fall and spring semesters, students who do not participate in course activity or who do not respond to online course assignments and exams by end of the fourth week, may be dropped by the instructor or the Dean of Continuing Studies. In the 10-week summer term, students who do not participate in course activity or who do not respond to online course assignments and exams by end of the third week may be dropped by the instructor or the Dean of Continuing Studies.

8-week Courses - Students who do not participate in course activity or who do not respond to online course assignments and exams by end of the second week, may be dropped by the instructor or the Dean of Continuing Studies.

Open Enrollment (six month) Courses - Students who do not participate in course activity or who do not respond to online course assignments and exams by the end of 90 days may be dropped by the instructor or the Dean of Continuing Studies, unless a 3-month extension is approved and the $50 Extension Fee is paid.

Open Enrollment Correspondence (12 month) Courses - Students who do not complete any assignments or exams within one year of the initial registration may be dropped by the instructor or the Dean of Continuing Studies, unless a 6-month extension is approved and the $50 Extension Fee is paid.

Students will be notified that they have been dropped from classes if the Distance Education Program has the student’s current contact information. The Vincennes University current catalog provides the full policy statements for drops and withdrawals.