Dropping a Class

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Whether you need to adjust your schedule during the schedule-change period or formally withdraw from a class later in the semester, it is important to complete the process correctly. Dropping a class can impact your financial aid eligibility, academic standing, and progress toward graduation.

Class Drop Policies

Before you finalize a drop, ensure you fully understand the state and institutional rules that regulate course withdrawals in Texas:

Under Texas state law, Senate Bill 1231, students enrolling in a Texas public college or university for the first time in Fall 2007 or later are strictly limited to a total of six (6) unexcused course drops across their entire undergraduate career.

  • Any course dropped after the official Census Date of a semester counts toward this lifetime limit of six.
  • Once you reach six drops, you will no longer be permitted to drop a class and will receive the grade earned at the end of the semester.

Note: Drops processed before the semester Census Day, or drops approved for documented institutional exemptions (e.g., severe illness, military deployment), do not count toward your six-drop limit.

Dropping classes can severely alter your financial aid profile:

  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Dropping courses lowers your successful completion rate (Pace). You must successfully pass at least 67% of all credit hours you attempt to keep your financial aid active.
  • Repayment: If you drop or withdraw from all classes before completing 60% of the semester, you may be required to pay back a portion of your federal grants or loans immediately.
  • Before Census Day: Dropping a course on or before the census date removes the class completely from your academic record. No grade is given, and it does not count against your 6-drop state limit.
  • Before W-Day: Dropping a course after census but before the final "W-Day" deadline will result in a permanent grade of "W" (Withdrawal) on your transcript. This does not impact your GPA, but it counts as an attempted course and uses one of your 6 state drops.
  • After W-Day: You cannot drop a class after W-Day. Your instructor must assign a standard letter grade (A-F) based on the work completed.

How to Drop Online

Most students can drop classes directly through the student portal prior to the semester's formal "W-Day" deadline. Follow these steps to drop a course online:

  1. Log into Navigate.
  2. Click on the link Schedule Courses
  3. Select the term you are dropping a class from
    Term selection screenshot
  4. On the righthand side below the calendar view, click on the 3 dots next to the class you want to drop and select drop class
    Selecting class to drop screenshot
  5. Ensure you selected the correct course to drop and click Drop Course
    Selecting drop course action screenshot

Are You Restrictive Dropping?

If you have a registration hold, are a Dual Credit student, or are attempting to drop your last remaining class of the semester, the system will prevent you from dropping online. You must contact Academic Advising (advising@com.edu) or visit the Admissions welcome desk in person to process a total withdrawal.

Questions? We're here to help.

Admissions Office:

Doyle Family Administration Building
Suite 111-02A

Admissions Hours:

  • Monday–Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday–Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
409-933-8264
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