At Parkland College, the terms drop and withdrawal refer to different processes. Dropping a course means the removal of a class from the student's schedule and transcript within the drop deadline. The drop deadline is the Sunday following the start of class at 11:59 pm. A drop from a course generates a full refund of tuition and fees. Withdrawal from a course means you removed the class from your schedule after the drop deadline. The course remains on the transcript. There is no refund for withdrawals.
If you have questions about whether you should withdraw from a class, please contact Academic Advising at academicadvising@parkland.edu or 217/351-2219.
If you want to know when refunds are processed, please contact the Business Office at businessoffice@parkland.edu or 217/351-2233.
If you have any technical problems with dropping a class, please contact Tech Support at techhelp@parkland.edu or 217/353-3333.
Drop a Class
You can only drop a course up until midnight Sunday after the first day of class. Check the College Calendar for specific dates. A dropped class is removed from your record and the tuition is refunded. The student can drop the class by coming to Admissions (U214) or on their own:
Drops can be completed using Student Planner.
- Go to Parkland Self-Service
- Log into your ParklandOne account.
- Click on Student Planning.
- Click on Go to Plan & Schedule on the right.
- Click the arrows to move to the term you want.
- In the Calendar view, click on the blue Drop button for the course(s) you wish to drop.
- Please check your schedule after the drop is completed to make sure it has been removed from your schedule. Any concerns, please email registration@parkland.edu
Withdraw from a Class
You may withdraw from any class until 5 pm on the last business day of the week before the last week of instruction (this does not include final exams). Check the College Calendar for specific dates. Once Parkland begins summer hours, the last business day at Parkland will be on Thursdays. A withdraw will show a W on your transcript and there is no refund for tuition.
Prior to submitting the withdraw form it is highly recommended that you speak with your instructor first. Many times, students withdraw from a class when they are still able to successfully complete the course, but do not have accurate information on their progress.
Additionally, if you are in a Selective Admissions program such as Health Professions, Aviation, or some CTE programs, you must meet with the program director prior to withdrawing as withdrawing from a program course may impact your progression in the program.
Academic Impact
Withdrawing from classes may impact your academic progress in the following ways:
- You may delay your time to completion/graduation by a semester or more.
- Classes you withdraw from will not count towards your degree or certificate or for transfer.
- You may need to retake withdrawn classes.
- You may need to change your registration for next semester.
- If your placements are close to expiring, you may need to reassess.
- Withdrawing can impact your eligibility to transfer to competitive academic programs.
- You may be dropped from next-semester classes that require the withdrawn class as a prerequisite.
It is highly recommended that you communicate with your Academic Success Advisor to be certain of how withdrawing from a class can impact your progress.
Academic Advising and Career Services Contact Information:
Office: U267 Phone: 217/351-2219 Email: academicadvising@parkland.edu
Financial Aid
Whether or not you are receiving financial aid this semester, it is important for you to understand how withdrawing can impact your current financial aid package or how it will impact future available aid.
Please check with the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services prior to making schedule changes or withdrawing from classes.
Financial Aid and Veteran Services Contact Information:
Office: U286 Phone: 217/351-2222 Email: finaid@parkland.edu
How to Withdraw
Click the link below, complete the form, and click submit. Your form will be processed in the order it is received. Once withdrawn, we will email you at your personal and student email address to let you know it is complete or if any questions arise that need your attention. If you have any questions, please contact Admissions and Records as soon as possible at 217/351-2482 or email admissions@parkland.edu.
Physical or Financial Hardship
A student may choose to submit a withdrawal request based on significant unforeseen physical or financial hardship. Experiencing hardship does not automatically result in a refund. Parkland will work to assist students when they choose to re-enroll and work to limit debt owed by students.
Types of hardships shall include but are not limited to:
- Serious injury or illness
- Chronic illness
- A medical issue of a family member in which the student must become a part-time or full-time caretaker.
- A mental health condition.
- A sudden or consistent lack of transportation issue
- A significant cost of living increase
Students who need to withdraw and are experiencing a hardship will need to do the following:
- Complete and submit the withdrawal form.
- Email academicexceptions@parkland.edu to provide more information regarding your hardship.
Once your case has been reviewed, you will receive more information on submitting additional information or documentation.
Instructor Initiated Withdraw
If you choose not to attend multiple class periods, the instructor can choose to withdraw you from class prior to midterms. There will be a W on your transcripts and no refund on tuition. Some instructors may let you remain in the class and award the grade you earn.