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Withdrawal FAQs

Students who plan to permanently depart from the College may do so by withdrawing. Withdrawals are typically processed before the start of a semester but a student may apply to withdraw until Week 10 of a semester. If you are considering withdrawing during a semester, please review our tuition refund policy.

Withdrawing is a big decision that can have academic, financial and personal implications. If you would like to speak with someone about your situation and options, please contact the Student Life Office to schedule a meeting with a dean and review these alternatives to taking a leave of absence. 

You are encouraged to continue to attend classes until you have made an official decision to take a leave of absence to avoid falling behind on work if you do decide to remain enrolled for the semester.

Withdrawal Process Questions

The Student Life Office coordinates the withdrawal process in collaboration with several partnering offices. If you need assistance or have general questions about withdrawing, please contact the Student Life Office at student-life@reed.edu. 

What are the steps for withdrawing?

To withdraw from the college, students must submit a  and follow the instructions found here. Students must complete the process within five business days of initiating a withdrawal or their withdrawal request will be canceled.

What happens if I do not complete the process within five business days?

Your withdrawal request will be canceled, and you will remain enrolled. If you still intend to withdraw, you must contact the Student Life Office to re-initiate your request with a new effective date. A changed effective date will affect your tuition refund or owe.

When is the deadline to withdraw?

Students can initiate a withdrawal before the semester at any time. We recommend students initiate their withdrawal and complete the process at least three weeks before the start of the semester to avoid any unnecessary billing or tuition charges.

If a student wants to initiate a withdrawal during the semester, they can do so any time before the last day of classes for the semester. See academic calendar for specific dates.

If you are a recipient of financial aid, please note that if you remain enrolled for more than 60% of the semester, you may lose a full semester of financial aid. The 60% of the semester mark usually falls a few days before the final Withdrawal deadline. Students receiving financial aid are encouraged to consult Financial Aid and contact Student Life before the end of Spring Break to prepare to initiate their withdrawal before the 60% deadline.

What if I withdraw and later decide I want to return to Reed?

Students who withdraw and later decide they would like to return to Reed must apply for readmission through the Registrar’s Office. 

What will be recorded on my transcript for semesters when I withdraw?

What is recorded on your transcript depends on the time of the semester you withdraw:

• If you withdraw before the drop deadline appropriate for your course (semester-long or year-long), no record of your attendance will be recorded on your transcript for that semester.
• If you withdraw after the drop deadline, “W” for withdrawal will be entered in your transcript for those courses for that semester.

Please consult the current Academic Calendar for these dates and deadlines. If you have further questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

I am an international student. What do I need to know about visas, immigration documents, and other related matters?

International students must speak with International Student Services staff to discuss their visa program status, departure to their home country, and other considerations. Please contact ISS at iss@reed.edu to arrange an appointment.

What happens to any payments that I already paid to the Business Office for the remainder of the semester/year?

• Depending on your withdrawal effective date, you may owe additional funds to the college.
• If a leave results in a credit balance, the College will issue a refund or request refund instructions.

How does my withdrawal affect my eligibility for subsequent financial aid, and what happens to the financial aid I have received for the semester/year?

Withdrawing does not affect your eligibility for financial aid in the future; however, an unfinished semester may be counted as one semester of financial aid eligibility used.

Lifetime loan aggregate limits, however, apply and the amounts that you retain for an unfinished semester will be counted toward this aggregate limit. The Business Office determines how much, if any, of your current financial aid must be repaid to the financial aid programs and how much financial aid you are eligible to retain. This calculation is based on the date of your withdrawal, which may be different than your move out date if you are living on campus.

Please be certain to discuss with the Financial Aid Office and Business Office any money you may owe (that is, aid to be repaid) as a result of withdrawing. You may or may not owe, depending on your individual situation.

What do I do if I purchased Dewar Insurance?

Please contact the Business Office for more information.

What if I have a Direct Student Loan?

You will need to complete an online exit interview for your Direct Student Loan. The six-month grace period for your Federal Direct Loan begins after your last day of attendance at Reed. During this grace period, interest accrues but no payments are due. Repayment on your Direct Student loan begins after your six month grace period. Please note that borrowers are eligible for only one grace period on your Direct Student Loan.

What if I have a Federal Perkins Loan?

You will need to do an exit interview for your Perkins Loan through our loan service provider, . Please be aware you will not have access to transcripts until you complete your exit counseling. 

Your initial nine-month grace period on your Perkins Loan will begin after the date of last attendance at the College. During this grace period no interest accrues and no payments are due. Repayment on the loan will begin nine-months after your last date of attendance.

What if I have a Reed Loan?

You will need to complete the Reed Loan “Payout Loan Note” and “Truth in Lending” requirements regardless of your future plans. The Business Office will contact you via email with specific instructions after your withdrawal paperwork is completed. Please note that you will not have access to transcripts or to SOLAR until these requirements are completed.

What happens to my housing contract?

Your room and board contract will terminate on the effective date of your withdrawal. If you return your room key and there is no damage to your room, you will not receive any additional charges. Your housing contract or assignments for any future semesters will also be cancelled. 

Will I continue to have access to my Reed email account?

No. Your Reed email account will be closed and your email and files will be deleted. Learn how to .

Do I lose my Reed health insurance?

If you attended at least 30 days of a semester and did not waive the health insurance, you will continue to be covered by the student health insurance for that semester.

If you attended less than 30 days of the semester, did not waive the health insurance, and used the health insurance, you may qualify to be covered by the student health insurance for that semester.

If you attended less than 30 days of the semester, did not waive the health insurance, and did not use the health insurance, you will not continue to be covered by the student health insurance.    

If you did not attend any of the semester, you will not be covered under the Reed health insurance.

You can learn more about Reed’s health insurance coverage here. Please contact the Business Office if you have questions about your health insurance coverage.