Considering Dropping or Withdrawing from a class?
Balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you are considering dropping or withdrawing from one or all your classes, please connect and explore all your resources first. Before making your decision, explore the possible impacts and learn about the options available to help you stay on track.
We can help you explore how dropping a class might affect your academic progress, financial aid, and future goals, and discuss possible alternatives that fit your situation.
You do not have to make this decision alone. Connect with Counseling & Advising and Hawk Central today. We are here to help you navigate challenges and keep moving toward your goals!
Dropping vs. Withdrawing
Before making changes to your schedule, it is important to know that dropping and withdrawing are two different things. Although, the process in dropping/withdrawing from your class is similar, each has its own deadlines and impacts on your transcript, tuition, and financial aid. Taking a few minutes to review these differences, and checking important dates, can help you make the best decision for your situation.
Dropping a class
- Happens early in the quarter (by the drop deadline).
- The class will not be on your transcript.
- You may be eligible for a tuition refund (depending on the date).
- Dropping early can help you avoid academic or financial aid impacts.
Withdrawing from a class
- Happens after the drop deadline but before the withdrawal deadline.
- A “W” (withdrawal) grade will appear on your transcript.
- You are still responsible for tuition and fees.
- Withdrawing can affect financial aid and academic progress (SAP).
Your Success Matters – Know Your Options Before You Decide
Before dropping or withdrawing from a class, take a moment to explore your options. Sometimes the right support or conversation can make all the difference. Whether you need academic help, financial aid guidance, or personal support, CBC has resources and people ready to help you stay on track and reach your goals.
Before making the decision to drop or withdraw from a course, we strongly encourage you to first speak with your instructor. In many cases, they may be able to provide additional support, guidance, or resources that could help you successfully complete the course.
If you are facing challenges - academic, personal, or otherwise - a brief conversation with your instructor can often provide clarity or reassurance. Instructors are here to support your learning, and they may be able to help address your concerns.
Whenever possible, try to speak with your instructor during their scheduled office hours. If an in-person meeting is not feasible, you may also reach out via phone or email. Instructor contact information can be found in the Staff Directory or within the course syllabus posted in each instructor’s Canvas course shell. Instructors will post their available office hours in their course syllabus as well.
Before deciding to drop or withdraw from a course, it is important to explore the wide range of support services available to help you stay on track and succeed. Columbia Basin College offers several resources designed to assist students facing academic or personal challenges:
Academic Success Center (ASC)
If you are struggling academically, the Academic Success Center can provide the support
you need. The ASC offers both scheduled and drop-in tutoring—completely free of charge.
Students can book tutoring appointments directly through the ASC’s Canvas page. Whether
you need help with a specific subject or general study skills, the ASC is here to
support your learning.
Campus Study Spaces
Sometimes the right environment can make a big difference in your ability to focus.
If you are having trouble finding a quiet place to study at home, consider taking
advantage of the study spaces available on campus. Popular locations include:
- Academic Success Center (T Building, Pasco Campus)
- Library (L Building, Pasco Campus)
- Health Sciences Library (HSC Building, Richland Campus)
- HUB (H Building, Pasco Campus)
- La CASA (T Building, Pasco Campus)
- Thornton Courtyard (T Building, Pasco Campus)
These spaces provide quiet, comfortable environments where you can concentrate and make the most of your study time. Our Library, on the Pasco campus, offers private study areas and a Family Study Room for students with children.
Basic Needs Support
If you are experiencing challenges related to housing, food, clothing, physical or
mental health, or childcare, we encourage you to connect with our Basic Needs Navigator.
Our Basic Needs Navigator is available to help students access essential resources
and support services.
C.A.R.E. Counseling Services
College can be overwhelming at times. If you're feeling anxious, stressed, or navigating
personal difficulties, C.A.R.E. (Counseling & Advising Reaching Everyone) offers free,
short-term personal counseling for currently enrolled students.
C.A.R.E. counselors are here to help you manage life’s challenges, so they don’t interfere with your academic goals.
To schedule an appointment, contact the Counseling & Advising Center.
Before deciding to drop or withdraw from a course, students should speak with their Completion Coach. These decisions can affect your overall academic plan, including delaying graduation or missing important timelines for program applications or transfer opportunities. Your Completion Coach can help you understand the potential impacts and guide you toward the best decision for your goals.
To schedule an appointment with your Completion Coach, please contact the Counseling & Advising Center.
Before dropping or withdrawing from a class, it is a good idea to meet with a Hawk Central to talk about how your decision might affect your financial aid. Changes to your schedule can impact your eligibility for future aid, your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standing, or even result in a financial aid repayment.
Even if you are not using financial aid right now, but plan to be in the future, our team can help you understand how these changes may affect you later. We can also go over important tuition refund dates, so you know what to expect.
Visit Hawk Central or contact us with any questions. We are here to help guide you to make the best decision for your situation! Hawk Central staff are available for drop-ins each day, with limited availability for pre-scheduled appointments. Stop by the H Building or send us an email at hawkcentralFREECOLUMBIA_BASIN.
Dates & Deadlines
After you've explored your resources, make sure to check the academic deadlines before dropping or withdrawing from a class. Knowing these dates can help you avoid unexpected impacts on your grades, financial aid or tuition.
Students are responsible for withdrawing from classes by the deadline, either by submitting a registration form to Hawk Central or withdrawing online. Dropping a class on or before the 10th day of the quarter (8th in summer) will not appear on the transcript. Withdrawals made after that date but before the 40th day (27th in summer) will result in a “W” on the transcript.
Visit our Dates & Deadlines page for a full view of all of our academic deadlines by quarter.
Please note: Dynamic Dated Sessions may have different deadlines, check class information for more information. Deadlines for all classes on your schedule may be found in MyCBC > ctcLink Student Center > Manage Classes > Enrollment Deadlines link.
If you are experiencing unexpected or challenging circumstances that prevented you from meeting these deadlines, please visit Hawk Central to learn more about possible options and next steps. Our team is here to help guide you through the process and connect you with available resources.
How to Drop/Withdraw a Class
If you have carefully considered all the factors involved in dropping or withdrawing from a course and have decided to move forward, follow the steps below to complete the process.
