Withdrawing or dropping from a course can help students remove themselves from a class without receiving a penalty to their grade point average.

State law says that you can only withdraw from six courses throughout your academic undergraduate career in the Texas public university and college system. This is your 6 drop limit.

 If you withdraw from a course that counts towards/against your 6 drop limit, at San Jacinto College, you will receive a grade of withdrawal limit (WL).

For example, if Jessica withdrew from three classes at San Jacinto College and then transferred to the University of Houston, she would only have three withdraws without penalty remaining.

Because multiple factors come into play, we strongly encourage students to meet with an educational planner before withdrawing.

Factors to consider include but are not limited to:

• Financial aid requirements
  • Courses receiving a WL will count towards the calculation of satisfactory academic progress
  • Students who drop below full-time status may have their financial aid status recalculated.

• Scholarship requirements
  • Certain scholarships may require students to remain at full-time status.
• Educational program requirements
• Whether or not you have missed the last drop day for your course.

Exclusions

• Courses taken by students while enrolled in high school, whether for dual credit or early admission. Once graduated from high school the drops will begin to count.
• Courses dropped at private or out-of-state institutions
• Remedial or developmental courses, workforce education courses, or other courses that would not generate undergraduate credit that could be applied to a degree
• Drops that meet the definition of a complete withdrawal
• Students who began college for the first time before Fall 2007.
• Once you’ve dropped six courses, you will receive a letter grade of A, B, C, D, F, FX. This will affect your GPA.

Requesting an Exemption

Students who feel that a drop should be exempt from the drop limit must complete the Request for Six-Drop Exemption Form and provide appropriate paperwork or proof to the Office of the Dean of Student Development before dropping the course. Students may request an exemption for any drop which meets the good cause definition.

Exemption requests must be made before dropping the course.

Examples of proof and reasons for exemption include:

• Severe illness or other debilitating condition: a statement from a doctor
• Care of a sick, injured or needy person: a statement from a doctor regarding the illness of the person being cared for and a statement from the sick, injured, or needy person regarding the student's role as the caregiver or, in the case of a child, a statement from the student.
• Death of family member or another person who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship: death certificate or obituary.
• Active duty service with the Texas National Guard or other armed forces by the student, a family member, or a person who has a sufficiently close relationship: Orders from service
• Change in work schedule that is beyond the control of the student: Letter from employer
• Other good cause, as determined by the institution.

In addition, if a disaster declared by the governor under section 418.014, Government Code, results in a bar or limit on in-person course attendance at the institution, a student may apply for an exemption.

The Office of the Dean of Student Development will review the request form and additional information submitted to determine if the request is approved. The student will receive notification of the decision from the Dean via email.

Additional Information

Request for Six-Drop Exemption Form