Withdrawing from a Class

Withdraw on Mission Portal

Academic Calendar for Withdrawal Dates

Students may withdraw from a class(es) through the following procedures and in accordance with deadlines.  


Withdrawal Policy

  • Students may withdraw from a semester length class through the end of the 2nd week and no notation will be made on the student’s academic record.  In courses of less than a regular semester’s duration, a student may withdraw prior to the completion of 10 percent of the period of instruction and no notation will be made on the student’s record.  Thereafter, a student may withdraw from a semester-length class, whether passing or failing, at any time through the last day of the twelfth week of instruction and a “W” grade shall be authorized.   
  • In courses of less than a regular semester’s duration, a student may withdraw prior to the completion of 75 percent of the period of instruction and a “W” grade shall be authorized.
  • The academic record of a student who remains in class beyond the time periods set forth  above must reflect an authorized symbol other than “W.” However, after the end of the twelfth week (or after 75 percent of the period of instruction in courses of less than a regular semester’s duration), withdrawal may be authorized in the case of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student. In such cases, the student must submit a petition in accordance with established College procedures. Approved withdrawal, under the conditions  set forth, shall be recorded as a “W.”
  • A student is only allowed to attempt a course three times when they receive a W, NP, D or F grade. The student must submit a Student Petition to Admissions and Records to request a fourth and final repeat of a course. 
  • The instructor may assign any student failing to follow the established withdrawal procedures an appropriate letter grade. 
  • Students may request a grade change up to two years after the grade notation has been assigned per WVM Board Policy AP 4230.
  • Faculty signatures are not required when withdrawing from courses by the published deadlines. 
  • The responsibility for withdrawing from courses by the published deadlines rests with the student. 

Excused Withdrawal 

Per Title 5, Section 55024 Withdrawal, "Excused Withdrawal" (EW) occurs when a student is permitted to withdraw from a course(s) due to events beyond the control of the student, which affects their ability to complete a course(s). Such events include:

  • A job transfer outside the geographical region;
  • An illness in the family where the student is the primary caregiver;
  • When the student who is incarcerated in a California state prison or county jail is released from custody or involuntarily transferred before the end of the term;
  •  When the student is the subject of an immigration action, or other extenuating circumstances as described making course completion impracticable.
  • In the case of an incarcerated student, an excused withdrawal cannot be applied if the failure to complete the course(s) was the result of a student's behavioral violation or if the student requested and was granted a mid-semester transfer.

Upon verification of these conditions and consistent with the district's required documentation substantiating the condition, an excused withdrawal symbol may be assigned at any time after the period established by the governing board during which no notation is made for withdrawals. The withdrawal symbol so assigned shall be an "EW." 

  • Excused withdrawal shall not be counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations. 
  • Excused withdrawal shall not be counted toward the permitted number of withdrawals or counted as an enrollment attempt.
  • In no case may an excused withdrawal result in a student being assigned an "FW" grade.
  • Excused withdrawal does not permit a refund of enrollment fees.