Students have until the end of the 12th week of the fall and spring terms to drop a course(s) and still stay enrolled without a dean’s approval. For Fall 2023, the drop deadline is Friday, November 24, 2023, by 11:59 pm. For Spring 2024, the drop deadline is Friday, April 19, 2024, by 11:59 pm. Always make sure to refer to dates & deadlines for the latest deadlines for any particular semester/term at UW-Madison.
Please note that the date listed here is for the main 15-week A1 (Regular) session in the current term. Certain other classes run for fewer weeks, start on a different week, or have other rules about deadlines. Refer to Session Dates for the appropriate drop deadline for these courses.
All students on an F-1 or J-1 visa must enroll in a full-time course load (minimum 12 credits) each fall and spring semester. If you are on an F-1 or J-1 visa and would like to drop below 12 credits, you must submit the completed application of Reduced Course Load (RCL) using TerraDotta. International Student Services (ISS) must receive your documentation before the last day of classes for the semester. More information is available here.
Dropping vs. Withdrawing
Please note that to drop a class is not the same as to withdraw from the semester/term. To withdraw means to drop all of your classes AND remain unenrolled for the current term. A student cannot withdraw from a course (or courses) and still remain enrolled for the semester/term. Thus, withdrawal is only to be used if you wish to drop all of your courses and leave the university for the remainder of the term.
Students can find information on how to drop a class at Course Search & Enroll – Dropping a Class. See Dates & Deadlines for more detailed information.
If a student wishes to drop a course (or courses), this means that the student will drop one or more classes from a specific semester or term while still staying enrolled in at least one course. For more information about dropping a course, please refer to dropping a course at UW-Madison. Students should always consult the drop deadline for each term.
- Information about the drop deadlines for the fall and spring terms is located at Deadlines at a Glace on the Registrar’s website under Enrollment Deadlines Information. Important deadlines can also be found at Dates and Deadlines on the Registrar’s website.
- Modular course deadlines (i.e., classes that run for fewer weeks, start on a different week, or have other rules about deadlines) are different from the regular drop deadlines in the fall or spring term. Information about these deadlines are located at session codes and curricular weeks.
- For summer drop deadlines, students should consult the Key Deadlines information on the Registrar’s homepage under Dates and Deadlines.
- Students receiving financial aid support from the Office of Student Financial Aid should reach out to financial aid about how dropping below full-time or withdrawing from the current term will have an impact on their financial aid package.
If you are an L&S student athlete and need to drop below 12 credits, you must speak with your athletic advisor at the Fetzer Center to drop below full-time status during the academic year. NCAA regulations require student athletes to maintain full-time status ( a minimum of 12 credits) during the fall and spring terms.
If a student wishes to drop all of their classes and not stay enrolled in any classes for a specific semester or term, the student will need to formally withdraw from the semester. For more information about withdrawing, see withdrawing from UW-Madison.