Late drop/add

Dropping or adding classes after the first week of the semester

The late drop/add period starts after the first week of classes and lasts through the automatic withdrawal period. To add or drop classes during this time, use eDrop/eAdd.

Note that it can take a day or more for your request to be processed. You can track the progress of your drop and/or add requests using “Track My eDocs” in the eDrop/eAdd application.

If there’s a problem with your request or more information is needed, we’ll send an email to your IU email account.

Refunds and charges

Learn about the refunds and charges you might encounter when dropping or adding classes.

Dropping all your classes?

If you want to drop all your classes, you’ll need to withdraw from the university.

Learn about withdrawing

All late add requests require the approval of an academic advisor. If the class has started, the instructor’s approval is also required.

If you submit an eAdd request, your request will automatically be sent to the appropriate approvers.

If your request is approved, your class schedule will be updated and you’ll receive an email notifying you that your request was completed. Until you receive this email confirmation, you’re not officially added to the class. However, you may attend that class while you wait for approvals.

You’ll get a W (withdrawn) on your transcript for any class you drop. While a grade of W doesn’t affect your GPA, be aware that a pattern of withdrawals may raise concerns about a lack of satisfactory progress toward your degree. If such a determination is made, your school may prevent you from registering and you may risk restrictions or loss of financial aid.

Please note: If you are a student in the School of Education, your drop request will require the approval of an academic advisor. If your request is approved, your class schedule will be updated and you’ll receive an email notifying you that your request was completed. You’ll remain enrolled in the class until you get this email confirmation.

 

After the automatic W deadline, you’ll need approval from your instructor and school dean.

Many schools require additional information before they’ll consider a drop this late in the semester. These requests are considered only in extraordinary circumstances beyond your control and are rarely granted.

Poor performance in a course is not considered grounds for a late drop. If a late withdrawal is granted, you’ll receive a grade of W if your work is of passing quality at the time of your withdrawal or an F if it isn’t.

If you’re worried about your GPA, talk with your instructor to see if there are better options available, such as seeking an Incomplete.

No drop requests will be processed once grade rosters are open for a term. You may need to pursue a retroactive withdrawal request by following the grade change appeal process.

If a certain enrollment status (e.g., full- or part-time) is required for reasons such as visa status or to receive VA benefits, make sure you know how a drop might affect your eligibility.

Keep these tips in mind before submitting an eDrop, eAdd, or both

Submitting a request is not a confirmation that the course has been dropped or added. After the appropriate advisor, instructor, and/or dean approves your request, you’ll get an email confirming that your request was approved and your schedule has changed. It’s your responsibility to monitor the status of your request.

Any request that hasn’t been approved or denied two weeks after you submit it will be automatically canceled.

Additional tuition charges may apply when you change your schedule. Be sure to talk to the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of the Bursar to understand any effects on your financial aid or fees.

If you’re an undergraduate, dropping classes that put you below 12 credit hours or adding classes that put you above 18 credit hours can have a major effect on the amount you pay for the semester.

If you’re a graduate or professional student, be sure you understand your individual program tuition and fee rates.

In extenuating circumstances, you may wish to pursue a tuition dispute. Contact the Office of the Bursar for more details.

Dropping and adding a class at the same time is called an eDrop/eAdd pair.

If you drop and add a class in the same transaction, both requests must be approved before any changes to your schedule are affective. If your drop request is approved but your add request is not (or the other way around), your schedule remains unchanged.

The drop/add together option is designed this way to ensure your enrollment status doesn't change. If you’re not worried about maintaining full-time status, consider submitting separate drop and add requests instead.

Fees for late drop/add

You’ll be charged a late schedule change fee of $22 for each class you drop after the first week of classes. You’ll also be charged this fee if you change sections, change arranged hours, or change whether you’re taking a class for credit or auditing it. We’ll consider waiving the late schedule change fee only if you can clearly demonstrate that the university, through one of its offices or officials, is directly responsible for your late drop/add; you can initiate this process by disputing the charge.

You may also be charged course fees, tuition, and/or penalties. Get the details below.

To avoid additional tuition, drop and add as closely together as possible.

  • If you stay in the 12–18 hour range after dropping and/or adding, your tuition won’t change.
  • If you end up with fewer than 12 hours, dropped hours are refunded at the applicable refund period percentage.
  • If you end up with more than 18 hours, added hours are charged at 100 percent of cost.
  • You won’t get a refund for a class dropped after the refund period.
If you don’t drop and add classes at the same time
  • Dropped hours are refunded at the applicable refund period percentage.
  • Added hours are charged at 100 percent of cost.
  • You won’t get a refund for a class dropped after the refund period.

To avoid additional tuition, drop and add as closely together as possible.

  • Your tuition won’t change if you stay in the same number of hours.
  • If your hours decrease, you’ll be refunded for the number of hours you drop at the applicable refund period percentage (down to 18 hours)
  • If your hours increase, you’ll be charged for the number of credit hours added to what you were already registered for.
  • You won’t get a refund for a class dropped after the refund period.
If you don’t drop and add classes at the same time
  • Dropped hours are refunded at the applicable refund period percentage.
  • Added hours are charged at 100 percent of cost.
  • You won’t get a refund for a class dropped after the refund period.
If you drop or add classes after the refund period
  • You won’t be charged for added hours if you drop equal or more hours at the same time.
  • You won’t get a refund for hours you drop.

  • Dropped hours are refunded at the applicable refund period percentage.
  • Added hours are charged at 100 percent of cost.
  • You won’t get a refund for a class dropped after the refund period.

You may exchange one class for another through the second week of full-term classes with no additional tuition. Note the following requirements:

  • You must use eDrop/eAdd Pair to request your even exchange. Your request will be covered under this policy even if the approval occurs after the second week of classes.
  • The dropped class must be a full-term class subject to the 75 percent refund period during the second week of classes.
  • You’ll receive a grade of “W” for the class you drop.
  • The exchange is applicable only to one class dropped and one class added for the same number of hours.
  • If the hours of the class you add are greater than those of the class you drop, you’ll be charged tuition for the extra hours.
If you don’t drop and add classes at the same time
  • Dropped hours are refunded at the applicable refund period percentage.
  • Added hours are charged at 100 percent of cost.
  • You won’t get a refund for a class dropped after the refund period.
If you have a fee scholarship or fee remission
  • You’ll forfeit a portion of a fee remission that applies to a dropped class.
  • Classes you add may not be fully covered by a fee remission.

Pay very close attention to the refund periods for each session. They’re shorter than in the fall and spring semesters.

  • Dropped hours are refunded at the applicable refund period percentage.
  • Added hours are charged at 100 percent of cost.
  • You won’t get a refund for a class dropped after the refund period.

Explore refunds and tuition disputes