A Medical Withdrawal may be granted for the current semester only. Applications for Medical Withdrawal must be submitted by the last day of classes for the current semester.

Purpose and Important Details

The purpose of a Medical Withdrawal is to support the student in taking time away from school to receive treatment for their physical and/or mental health to focus their time and resources on improving their health and eventually returning to the University with a significantly improved chance of academic and personal success. This process is student-initiated when their condition prohibits them from functioning. It is expected that time away from the University will be used for treatment and recovery. 

Medical Withdrawals are considered complete withdrawals, meaning if a student decides to apply for a Medical Withdrawal for a given semester, the student will be dropping all classes for that semester. The student cannot use a Medical Withdrawal to drop one or two courses and keep others. (See Course Withdrawals for what to do if you want to withdraw from some courses but keep others.)

Please note:

  • Medical Withdrawals do not include reimbursement of tuition or fees.
  • All grades for the semester become “X’s”, and do not factor into the student’s GPA. 
  • Students should inform themselves about potential consequences of Medical Withdrawal on the following, if applicable:
    • Financial Aid
    • On-campus Housing (Contact Residence Life)
    • Billing, including potential tuition adjustments
    • Health insurance
    • Academic Advising: Students should make an appointment with their advisor.
  • Upon readiness to return, students should contact the Solution Center to discuss program status.

International students must begin the Medical Withdrawal process with an appointment with the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) to review the necessary steps as well as the impact on their visa status.  The ISSO representative will provide the student with the required forms.

Alternatives to Medical Withdrawal

It is recommended that students consider the following alternatives to Medical Withdrawal prior to submitting their request:

  • Add/Drop – Students may drop all courses within the Add/Drop period (see Academic Calendar for specific date).  These courses will not appear on their transcript and there will be no tuition or fees associated with them. 
  • Withdrawal – Distinct from a Medical Withdrawal, students may withdraw from some or all courses between the Add/Drop period and the final date listed to withdraw with a “W” (see Academic Calendar for specific date). Students will receive a grade of “W” on their transcript, and the grade does not factor into their GPA. No refunds are given.
  • Reduced Courseload – Students may elect to take fewer than 12 credits prior to the date listed to withdraw with a “W.” Students considering a reduced course load should always meet with the Solution Center or their college department regarding restrictions on their program of study.
  • Incompletes – Students may explore with professors if they qualify for “incompletes” prior to course completion. 
  • Repeated Coursework/Course Deletions – After grades have been posted, students may explore options for grade substitution/deletions.
  • Speak with Professors – Students may speak to professors to request an extension on individual assignments (if needed). Many professors are willing to be flexible if they understand the specific reason for the request.
  • Disability Accommodations – Students can seek accommodations for medical/psychiatric/psychological conditions through the Disability Services Office. 

Procedure to Apply for Medical Withdrawal

If after considering alternatives, the student would like to apply for a Medical Withdrawal, the following steps must be completed:  

  1. Student completes Page 1 of the Request for Medical Withdrawal from Courses form (docx)
  2. External licensed health care provider completes Page 2 of the Request for Medical Withdrawal from Courses Form.
  3. Student submits completed application (Page 1 completed by student, Page 2 completed by provider by the last day of classes for the impacted semester/term. 
    1. Incomplete forms are not reviewed and may be denied until all requested information is provided. 
    2. In rare and exceptional cases, such as inpatient hospitalization or loss of consciousness, submissions may be considered after the final day of classes for the current semester. To request this exception, students must provide a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances as part of their application.
  4. Completed application is submitted in one of the following ways:
    1. E-mailed to: Wellness_Center@uml.edu as an attachment 
    2. Dropped off in person to: The Wellness Center, University Crossing 300
    3. Mailed to: 220 Pawtucket St., Suite 300 Lowell, MA 01854
    4. Faxed to: 978-934-3080

Application Review Process

  1. Upon receipt of a completed application, a Wellness Center designee will review and communicate the decision via e-mail within 10 business days.  Review periods may be longer during times of higher application volume.  All documentation will be kept confidential and will only be accessible to the Wellness Center designee(s) and others within the University with whom the Wellness Center consults, on a need-to-know basis. Documentation is stored separately from student’s health or academic record.
  2. The following details the potential outcomes and ensuing actions:
    1. Approved
      1. The Registrar’s Office will enter the student’s grades as “X” for the requested semester.
      2. A hold will be placed on the student’s account preventing future course registration until the student’s Readiness to Return request (docx) is approved. 
      3. Any courses already registered for the next semester will be administratively dropped unless a Readiness to Return form has been approved (within one week of the start of the following semester). 
      4. Students living in Campus Housing must notify Residence Life of their intent to leave campus, check out, and turn in their key to apply for pro-rated Housing and Meal Plan charges.
    2. Denied
      1. Consider Alternatives to Medical Withdrawal options noted above.
      2. Within 10 business days, students may appeal denials of Medical Withdrawal. The decision will only be reconsidered if substantial new information is submitted. Steps include:
        1. Obtain additional documentation from a licensed health care provider indicating in greater detail why a Medical Withdrawal is required.  
        2. E-mail a request to appeal the Medical Withdrawal Decision and include attached documentation to: Wellness_Center@uml.edu with “Medical Withdrawal Appeal” in the subject line.
        3. The appeal decision will be communicated to the student in writing within 15 business days of receipt of the appeal and supporting documentation. All appeal decisions are considered final and may not be appealed further.

Procedure to Resume Classes at UMass Lowell Following a Medical Withdrawal

In order for a student to resume classes following a Medical Withdrawal, the following steps must be completed (recommended before the first day of classes):

  1. Student completes Page 1 of the Readiness to Return form (docx). 
  2. External licensed health care provider completes Page 2 of the Readiness to Return form.  
  3. Submit completed application (Page 1 completed by student; Page 2 completed by provider). Incomplete forms are not reviewed until all requested information is provided.  
  4. Completed Readiness to Return form is submitted in one of the following ways:
    1. E-mailed to: Wellness_Center@uml.edu as an attachment 
    2. Dropped off in person to: the Wellness Center, University Crossing 300
    3. Mailed to: 220 Pawtucket St., Suite 300 Lowell, MA 01854
    4. Faxed to: 978-934-3080
  5. Students will be notified via email as soon as possible whether the request was approved, and the registration hold will be removed. Students having difficulty enrolling in classes following this process should contact The Solution Center.  If a student is permitted to re-enroll following a Medical Withdrawal, the student is responsible for coordinating the return to the university community with the appropriate university offices.

If you have a concern or complaint that your rights have not been met under the American with Disabilities Act, you may contact the UMass Lowell Equal Opportunity and Outreach Office.