Finding help
College is a time for you to explore who you are as an individual and as a member of a community. It can also be a stressful time. There are many resources on this campus to support students. If you need help, talk to your adviser and they will refer you to resources that can support you.
ALERTI'm on Academic Alert or Academic Warning
Students are placed on academic warning at the end of any quarter—except for the first quarter at the University, when an academic alert is issued instead—in which their cumulative GPA is below 2.0. Students should schedule an appointment to see an academic adviser as soon as possible to discuss their academic standing. International students should also contact their ISS adviser to understand how their academic standing could affect their visa status.
Students must complete the Academic Self-Assessment BEFORE their scheduled advising appointment.
ALERTI've been dropped for low scholarship and I want to petition for reinstatement
The first step is to contact one of the following reinstatement advisers.
- If you have not yet declared a major or have a major in a program located in the College of Arts & Sciences: Contact an adviser in UAA Advising.
- If you have not yet declared a major and are affiliated with EOP, SSS, or CAMP: Contact the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Counseling Services.
- If you have a major outside the College of Arts & Sciences: Contact your departmental adviser to find out the process for your college or school.
It is in your best interest to begin working with an adviser as soon as possible, as there may be multiple steps that must be completed before your petition is given to the Reinstatement Committee for consideration.
I'm considering dropping a course, what policies should I be aware of?
Week 1 (day 1-7) of the quarter
During this time, there are no penalties or fees for making changes. Also, the changes do not appear on your transcript.
Week 2 (day 8-14): Unrestricted Drop Period
Courses dropped during this week do not appear on your transcript, but are subject to the $20 change-of-registration fee and possible tuition forfeiture.
Week 2 and 3 (day 8-21) of the quarter: Late Add Period
All courses added during this time require an entry code. Faculty are usually reluctant to allow a student to add a course after the first week of the quarter. A $20 fee is charged, covering all registration transactions made on a single day.
Week 3 through the last day of instruction of the quarter: Late Course Drop Period
Students may drop classes during the quarter using the Current Quarter Drop process. A student can drop one class on their own each quarter during this period using Register.UW. If they want to drop more than one class, the student should consult with their academic advisor and use the Adviser Assisted Drop process. Courses dropped in this way will be marked on the transcript as "RD" (Registrar Drop).
A $20 change-of-registration fee is charged, and there may be some tuition forfeiture.
You can review specific dates for each of these periods on the Academic Calendar.
You can review the full policies for dropping courses on the Current Quarter Drop website, including how to access the Adviser Assisted Drop process. We also recommend students consult with their assigned advisor or department advisor prior to dropping a class. If you are submitting an Adviser Assisted Drop and it is close to the end of the quarter, make sure you submit the request prior to the 5:00 PM deadline on the date indicated on Current Quarter Drop website or Academic Calendar.
I'm considering dropping a course, what are my other options?
Before dropping a course you are having trouble in, consider your options. Talk with the instructor and/or TA about the problems you are having. Also consider the following alternatives:
Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory (S/NS) grading
You can change any course (except a Credit/No Credit course) to S/NS grading through the seventh week of the quarter. S/NS courses can’t be used toward any graduation requirement except general electives and can only be used a limited number of times for a student's degree, so we strongly suggest that students consult with their academic adviser prior to changing the grading option for a class.
Incomplete
If you’re unable to complete the work required for a course before the end of the quarter, you can request an “incomplete” from the instructor. If they agree, you will get extra time to finish the work. Consult with your advisor and see more specific information on the Incomplete Grade Policy.
Former Quarter Drop (FQD)
If it is too late to drop a course AND you have experienced a documented hardship or other specific circumstances, you can petition for a Former Quarter Drop. The process takes several weeks, and, if approved, will result in “RD” being entered instead of a grade. You may request a Former Quarter Drop petition under very specific circumstances. Consult with your advisor and review information about the Former Quarter Drop petition process.
Withdrawal from all courses
If none of the above options work in your situation, you can withdraw from ALL your courses right up through the last day of instruction. You won’t receive credit for any courses taken in the quarter, and “RD”s (Registrar Drop) will be entered instead of grades. No explanation or documentation is required. If it’s before the last day of instruction for the quarter, just drop all your courses via RegisterUW and submit an Adviser Assisted Drop. There are two monetary charges: a $20 late change fee and a tuition forfeiture fee if the change is made after the 7th calendar day of the quarter. Please consult with the Student Fiscal Services website for more information.
I have a learning disability
If you have previously been diagnosed with a learning disability, or feel that you might have a learning disability, Disability Resources for Students (DRS) should be your first stop. DRS is committed to ensuring equal access for enrolled students who have a documented permanent or temporary physical, mental, or sensory disability. DRS can help with note taking services, more time on tests, textbook audiotaping and more.
I'm having trouble outside of class
Whatever distress you are experiencing, the UW has resources to help you. Visit the centers listed below for more information and to set up an appointment.
- The Counseling Center - Available to current UW students. Most services are free.
- The Husky Health Center - Most services can be charged to your health insurance plan.
- Health & Wellness - A department of Student Life that works with students to support their academic careers by building relationships and plans for success.
- Crisis Clinic - 24-hour crisis line (non-UW) providing immediate, confidential assistance for people in emotional distress and in need of help.
There are many other community resources for counseling and therapy, and you can find out more about them by contacting any of the above offices. You are not alone and help is available.
If you are having a significant impact on your studies due to a hardship, see the "I'm considering dropping a course" to learn more about your options.
I have a problem with a grade or an instructor
In most cases, it is best to approach the professor directly. If you aren't comfortable talking with the instructor, or if you have and there was not an acceptable resolution to the problem, then you should talk with someone else in the department—the undergraduate adviser or the department chair. If you still aren't satisfied, you may want to contact the University Ombud.
I want to contest a grade
Discuss the matter with the instructor before the end of the following academic quarter. If you are unsatisfied with the instructor's explanation, the next step is to submit a written appeal to the chair or dean of the department (within ten days after meeting with the instructor). Send a copy of your appeal to the instructor as well.
Within ten calendar days, the chair or dean will consult with the instructor. Should the chair or dean believe the instructor's conduct to be arbitrary or capricious and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the chair or dean, with the approval of the voting members of his or her faculty, will appoint an appropriate member, or members, of the faculty of that department to evaluate your performance in the course and assign a grade.
I believe I have been discriminated against
The University of Washington is committed to promoting respect for the rights and privileges of others, understanding and appreciation of human differences, and the constructive expression of ideas.
UW policy prohibits discrimination against members of the University community on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran (UW Handbook, Vol. IV). The UW is firmly committed to full and positive compliance with a wide range of state and national regulations as applied by law, and/or university policy.
If you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of any of the factors listed above, you may call these University offices for assistance:
The following non-UW agencies are also available:
I've had an emergency and am in need of resources
If you are in need of assistance, please review resources on the Emergency Aid page to connect with resources and support.
I need food to get by
The Campus Food Pantry allows UW students, staff, and faculty to be supplied with nonperishable groceries and select fresh produce for no cost. Anyone with a Husky ID is eligible to receive support.