Schedule Adjustment

Schedule Adjustment Period

The Schedule Adjustment Period is the first ten business days of classes during the Fall or Spring semester. A similar time period is designated for Summer, Winter and 12-week terms and any course that does not meet the standard term dates. Check the corresponding academic deadlines or non-standard course deadlines for exact dates.

Drop Policy

Undergraduate students can adjust their schedule (add, drop, etc.) until the close of business on the last day of the Schedule Adjustment Period. After the end of Schedule Adjustment, students are limited to dropping a maximum of 4 credits during the Drop Period. The Drop Period for undergraduate students will begin at the close of the Schedule Adjustment Period and terminate at the end of the tenth week of classes during the Fall and Spring semesters and at a corresponding time for Summer and Winter sessions. See Academic Deadlines for end of Schedule Adjustment and last day to drop dates. A mark of "W" (withdrawal) is recorded for credits dropped during the Drop Period.

Add and Drop Classes

Students can add, drop or change course sections during the Schedule Adjustment Period. Courses added prior to and during the Schedule Adjustment Period will appear on students' permanent records. Courses dropped prior to or during the Schedule Adjustment Period will not appear on the student record, nor will they count towards the number of attempts a student has for any given course.

Notes: During the Schedule Adjustment Period students will not be charged to drop and add a course if they are of equal credit value, for example dropping CHEM 678 and adding CHEM 691 (both three credit courses), and if they are processed on the same day. This is considered an even exchange. Remember, to avoid additional charges when dropping and adding, BOTH the drop and the add must be done during the same day. Courses taken at Shady Grove and other campuses are not considered in even exchange calculations.

After the Schedule Adjustment Period even exchanges of dropped and added credits will not be accepted. Courses added and dropped after the Schedule Adjustment Period will be charged as follows: 0% refund for the drop, and 100% charge per credit for any adds.

Please read the important information on refund and penalty explanations below.

Penalties for Drops During Schedule Adjustment (Refund Schedules)

For a complete explanation of refunds and refund schedules see Student Financials and Cashiering.

Full-time Undergraduates - Refund Schedule for Drops

Full-time undergraduate students do not receive a refund for courses dropped if the total number of credits for which they are registered remains 12 or more.

Full-time undergraduate students who drop a course or courses thereby changing the total credits for which the student is registered to 11 or less, will be charged as noted below:

  • Prior to the first day of classes: If a full-time undergraduate student drops a course or courses, thereby changing the total number of credits for which the student is registered to 11 or less, the student will be charged part-time per credit hour tuition. However, if the student later adds a course or courses, thereby changing the total number of credits for which the student is registered to 12 or more, the student will be charged full-time tuition.
  • During the first five days of classes: If a full-time undergraduate student drops a course or courses, thereby changing the total number of credits for which the student is registered to 11 or less, the student will be charged part-time per credit hour tuition. However, if the student later adds a course or courses, thereby changing the total number of credits for which the student is registered to 12 or more, the student will be charged full-time tuition.
  • After day five of schedule adjustment through the end of schedule adjustment: If a full-time undergraduate drops a course or courses thereby changing the total number of credits for which the student is registered to 11 or less, charges for the semester will be assessed on the basis of part-time per credit hour tuition plus 20% of the difference between the full-time tuition and fees and appropriate part-time charges.
  • After the Schedule Adjustment Period: There will be no refund for changing from full-time to part-time status.

Part-Time Undergraduates - Refund Schedule for Drops

Part-time undergraduates are charged for courses by the credit hour. Students may drop and add courses without penalty provided that the changes are made on the same day and the total number of credits does not change (even exchange). Otherwise, a percentage charge and/or complete charge will be imposed according to the schedule below:

  • Prior to the first day of classes: 100% refund. There will be no charge for courses dropped prior to this date.
  • [Effective Fall 2023] During the first five days of classes: 100% refund. There will be no charge for courses dropped during this period. For Summer and Winter view the associated academic calendars for the no charge drop period deadlines. For non-standard courses, see non-standard course deadlines for more information.
  • [Effective Fall 2023] After day five of schedule adjustment through the end of schedule adjustment: 80% refund. There will be a 20% charge imposed for courses dropped during this period. For Summer and Winter terms view the associated academic calendars for the no charge drop period deadlines. For non-standard courses, see non-standard course deadlines for more information.
  • Anytime after the Schedule Adjustment Period: 0% refund. There will be no refund; students incur the full charge for courses dropped during this period.

NOTE: Students who wish to cancel their registration or completely withdraw from the university will be held to the Refund Schedule available on Academic Deadlines.

Graduate Students - Refund Schedule for Drops

Students may drop and add courses without penalty provided that the changes are made on the same day and that the total number of credits does not change (even exchange). A percentage charge and/or complete charge will be imposed according to the schedule below:

  • Prior to the first day of classes: 100% refund. There will be no charge for courses dropped prior to this date.
  • [Effective Spring 2023] During the first five days of classes: 100% refund. There will be no charge for courses dropped during this period. For Summer, Winter, and 12-week terms view the associated academic calendars for the no charge drop period deadlines. For non-standard courses, see non-standard course deadlines for more information.
  • [Effective Spring 2023] After day five of schedule adjustment through the end of schedule adjustment: 80% refund. There will be a 20% charge imposed for courses dropped during this period. For Summer, Winter, and 12-week terms view the associated academic calendars for the no charge drop period deadlines. For non-standard courses, see non-standard course deadlines for more information.
  • Anytime after the Schedule Adjustment Period: 0% refund. There will be no refund; students incur the full charge for courses dropped during this period.

NOTE: Students who wish to cancel their registration or completely withdraw from the university will be held to the Refund Schedule available on Academic Deadlines.