Complete Withdrawal/Leave of Absence From Mines: Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate* students looking to withdraw from all classes during a current semester, or in preparation for a future semester, must follow the steps outlined below. This process applies to students pursuing a temporary absence/leave, transferring to another institution, or permanent withdrawal.

For undergraduate students, Mines has a Leave of Absence Protocol and Complete Withdrawal Protocol:

  • Leave of Absence: If a student indicates a plan to return to Mines within 12 calendar months of their withdrawal date, Mines will mark the anticipated return term. By doing so, student accounts (e.g., Trailhead, Email, etc.) will remain active until Census of the anticipated return term and remain active if the student is enrolled.  For those who change their return term: Students who plan to return earlier than initially stated will need to activate their registration through the Registrar’s Office. No action is required for students who plan to extend their leave indefinitely or return later than originally stated.
  • Complete Withdrawal: If a student does not indicate a plan to return or their return term is beyond 12 months, the student account will remain active until Census of the following term (e.g., Fall to Spring or Spring to Fall).  

Undergraduate students who leave – via a Leave of Absence or Complete Withdrawal – may return at a future date of their choosing (exclusions apply). 

If you are currently enrolled and wish to withdraw from some but not all courses, please contact your CASA Academic Advisor or the Registrar’s Office (registrar@mines.edu) for more information.

*Graduate Students: Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 303-273-3627 or grad.service@mines.edu

Full Term Withdrawal:

Current Full Withdrawal: If you are currently taking classes and wish to withdraw from all courses, you may initiate the withdrawal process at any point in the semester until 5 pm (MT) on the last day of scheduled classes for the term. 

  • Students who withdraw from all courses after the Course Withdrawal Deadline (see Academic Calendar) may be subject to provisions related to reentry (see below under Guaranteed Reentry). Review Day is not a scheduled class day.  Check the Academic Calendar for specific dates, which are semester-specific.
  • Withdrawals after Census Day result in “W” grades on the student’s Academic Transcript. 

Future Full Withdrawal: Students who plan to complete the current term but will not return to Mines will submit a “Future Term Withdrawal.”  The process – outlined under “Step by Step” – is the same as a Current Term Withdrawal. 

Retroactive Full Withdrawals: Single course withdrawals requested after the deadline are handled by the Registrar’s Office and at the discretion of the faculty member(s) and Registrar’s Office. Full withdrawals requested after the deadline are considered on a case-by-case basis and are extremely rare. Exceptions are considered when the student was reasonably unable to withdraw before the deadline for documented, legitimate reasons. Undergraduate students seeking a term withdrawal after the deadline should email Dr. Colin Terry (cterry@mines.edu), Assistant Vice President for Student Life.   

For Current and Retroactive Complete Term Withdrawals: There is no guaranteed financial adjustment associated with a withdrawal. However, a student may petition for financial relief or reimbursement as applicable and qualified.

Hardship Withdrawals:

Students may request a Hardship Withdrawal notation as part of their Current Term Withdrawal or Retroactive Term Withdrawal.

Hardship Withdrawals may pertain to medical matters but may also more appropriately account for withdrawals associated with natural disasters, financial hardship, family priorities, or anomalous and significant personal circumstances.  Hardship Withdrawals are awarded when a) the student is unable to complete their studies despite best efforts due to documented hardship and/or b) when it is unquestionably in the student’s best interest to withdraw as a result of documented hardship.

  • Requests for Hardship Withdrawals will likely necessitate a review of corroborating documentation and academic performance for the term. Students who have effectively failed their coursework prior to an extenuating circumstance may withdraw but may not qualify for a Hardship Withdrawal. 

  • Hardship Withdrawals will not be considered as part of the Maximum Withdrawal Policy (see section below). Individual courses (i.e., partial withdrawals) do not qualify for Hardship Withdrawals. 

Financial Relief or Reimbursement:

Please click here if you wish to request financial relief or reimbursement after withdrawing from coursework. 

Maximum Withdrawal Policy:

The total number of withdrawn course credits over a student’s academic career are tracked and counted at the end of each academic semester. When the following credit limits have been met or surpassed, the associated academic standing provisions will result. Withdrawn credits resulting from a hardship or medical withdrawal will not count toward the total number of withdrawn credits for the purposes of this policy.

  • When a student has accumulated 20 or more withdrawn credits, the student will receive individual outreach support, including possible admission to the Bounce Back program and individual academic coaching.
  • When a student has accumulated 30 or more withdrawn credits, the student will receive a first (or greater) suspension for failing to meet academic performance standards.  The student must meet with the Readmissions Committee and secure a majority vote in favor of their return.
  • When a student has accumulated 45 or more withdrawn credits, the student will receive a second (or greater) suspension for failing to meet academic performance standards. To return, the student must meet with the Readmissions Committee and secure a majority vote in favor of their return. 
  • When a student has accumulated 60 or more withdrawn credits, the student will receive a third suspension resulting in dismissal or terminal dismissal for failing to meet academic performance standards.

Guaranteed Reentry:

Reentry to Mines for the immediate term following a complete withdrawal (Withdrawal or Hardship Withdrawal) is only guaranteed if a student completely withdraws before the Course Withdrawal Deadline.  Contact CASA (casa@mines.edu) for more information. Exclusions apply.  Reentry for students who withdraw from all courses after the Course Withdrawal Deadline and wish to return for the following immediate term is subject to review. Contact the Dean of Students Office (deanofstudents@mines.edu) with questions.

The Withdrawal Process, Step by Step

  1. To initiate the process, log into your Mines Trailhead Account and proceed to the Registrar’s “Card.”
  2. Click on “Student Forms”.
  3. Proceed to the “Term Withdrawal (undergrad)” link.

    If you have any questions, please contact CASA at casa@mines.edu. You should speak with your CASA advisor/staff before completing a Withdrawal request.

    Check Your Email: Following submission of the Withdrawal Request, students are asked to check their email account for correspondence on the required action(s). Examples may include but are not limited to possible student refund or balance due, the return of library materials, and/or financial aid exit counseling.