Military Withdrawal and Leave Policy

Military Withdrawal & Leave of Absence Policy

Students called to active military service after the beginning of a term are entitled to a military withdrawal from their courses and receive a full refund of tuition and fees for courses still in progress and in which they are actively enrolled at the time of the call-up.

Students who are called to military service, or have an immediate family member called into duty, may also request a military leave of absence. Eligible students should contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services for guidance on applicable policies and required procedures.

Military Withdrawal Policy

An enrolled student who is a member of the Armed Forces and receives military orders may request a military withdrawal from all courses for the affected term if they do not intend to complete the coursework. Even in cases of a military call-up, students do not have the option to drop classes from shorter sessions that have already been completed, nor can a student drop a class for which all work has already been submitted. A military withdrawal may be initiated immediately before the start of the term or at any point after the term has started. Students should complete the Term Cancellation/Withdrawal eform, found in the Forms tile of accesSPoint prior to departure or no later than four weeks after returning from duty. A copy of military activation orders is required to support a military withdrawal.

Military Withdrawal Options and Refunds

Full Withdrawal

Students called to active military service may withdraw from classes still in session.

Refunds for Full Withdrawals:

• Tuition and Fees: 100% refund of all tuition and segregated fees.

• UWSP Housing: 100% refund of housing charges will be issued after a proper checkout is completed.

• UWSP Dining Services: Prorated refund of dining plan fees based upon the unused portion of the plan.

Partial Withdrawal

Students called to active military service after the start of a term may choose to withdraw from some classes and remain enrolled in other classes within the term in which they must depart for military orders. For courses in which students prefer to remain enrolled, options may include:

• Receive a Final Grade: If the instructor determines a student has completed enough coursework, the instructor may assign a final grade.

• Receive an Incomplete Grade: If the instructor determines a student has nearly completed a course, the instructor may choose to assign an Incomplete grade, and the student can finish the class work later.

Because the feasibility of these options varies by course—depending on timing, remaining coursework, and the weight of final assessments—students must discuss their options with the instructor of the course and, when needed, their academic adviser. The instructor of each course determines 1) whether a final grade can be assigned, 2) an incomplete grade is appropriate, or 3) the student should withdraw from the class. In the event of a disagreement between the student and instructor regarding the two options above, consultation with the department chair or assistant dean is the next appropriate and final step. Students who choose an Incomplete grade will have until the end of the next semester to complete the work, unless an extension is requested. See the Incompletes policy.

Refunds for Partial Withdrawals:

• Tuition and Fees: 100% refund of tuition and segregated fees only for those courses from which the student withdraws, and the course load drops below the minimum credits in the tuition plateau. Refunds of special course fees will be reviewed on an individual basis.  

• UWSP Housing: 100% refund of housing charges will be issued after a proper checkout is completed.

• UWSP Dining Services: Prorated refund of dining plan fees based upon the unused portion of the plan. 
  
  

Military Withdrawal Financial Aid Policy

• If a student receiving financial aid withdraws, regardless of the reason, UWSP must complete a Return to Title IV calculation to determine how much financial aid must be returned to the federal government. Any refund of tuition and fees will pay back these funds first.

• Federal Direct Loan recipients should contact their loan servicer to request that their loans be deferred, which will relieve them of repayment responsibility while on active duty. 

Military Withdrawal Re-entry Policy

• Students who withdrew from the university due to military orders are guaranteed re-entry to the university.

• Some UW-Stevens Point academic programs have their own admission standards and application processes. Readmission to those programs will be made on an individual basis.
   

Military Leave of Absence

Students will not be penalized for class absence due to unavoidable or legitimate required military obligations, or medical appointments at a VA facility, not to exceed two (2) weeks unless special permission is granted by the instructor. Students are responsible for notifying faculty members of such circumstances as far in advance as possible and for providing documentation to the Dean of Students Office to verify the reason for the absence. The faculty member is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations or opportunities to make up exams or other course assignments that have an impact on course grades. For absences due to being deployed for active duty, please refer to the Military Call-Up Instructions for Students.