A medical withdrawal provides students the opportunity to take time away from campus for the treatment of a mental or physical health condition that impairs their ability to function safely and successfully as a member of our community. The medical withdrawal policy was designed to provide students with individualized attention, consideration and support to address health issues that arise or escalate during their time at UNL. The Medical Withdrawal Process is an interactive process and students are required to meet with a member of Student Advocacy and Support to pursue the Medical Withdrawal Request.
Please note:
- A grade of "W" granted through an approved request for medical withdrawal is the same as the "W" noted on a transcript when a student self-withdraws from a course.
- Students who request a medical withdrawal are not guaranteed a refund of tuition and/or fees and the outcome will depend upon the student’s financial aid package, as determined by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Required Steps for Requesting a Medical Withdrawal
Withdrawing can have implications for degree completion, future registration, financial aid eligibility, return of financial aid funds, visa status, and the University Housing contract. Prior to submitting a request for a medical withdrawal, students are required to complete the following steps:
Step 1 - Meet with Student Advocacy and Support
- Discuss your circumstances and their impact on your engagement with the university
- Review medical withdrawal eligibility
- Review medical withdrawal process and form
- Schedule your appointment here
Step 2 - Consult with Campus Partners
- Consult with Husker Hub about financial aid implications
- Consult with academic advisor about degree progression implications
- Consult with other campus resources and departments
Step 3 - Complete the Request Form and sign Release of Information
Personal Statement
You'll need to include a written personal statement that explains your medical condition and its impact on your ability to perform academically. This statement should identify:
- When the medical condition began
- How the medical condition adversely affected attendance or participation in classes
- Last date(s) of attendance/participation for each class
- Steps that you've taken to address the medical condition such as seeking treatment (off or on campus), discussing concerns with instructors or advisors or utilizing other campus resources
Students requesting to withdraw from some, but not all classes must thoroughly explain how their medical condition impacted classes differently. Their statement should also speak to the alternatives the student explored with their academic advisor to address their situation such as talking to professors, incompletes, petition for late withdrawal, request for medical withdrawal. Please note that approval of request for a partial medical withdrawal is extraordinarily rare.
Provider Documentation
Students will need to submit documentation from an impartial, licensed health care provider consisting of a letter on clinic letterhead with the provider’s full name, credentials and signature that explains:
- The date of onset of illness, injury, or condition
- The nature of the student’s medical condition, its impact on the student, and how and why it will interfere or has already interfered with the student’s performance
- The dates the student was or will be under professional care or receiving treatment
- The nature and extent of care and treatment
- The potential health or clinical consequences if a medical withdrawal is not granted
Provider documentation that does not address each of these elements will result in the medical withdrawal request not meeting the threshold for approval.
What's Next
Withdrawal requests are reviewed on a weekly basis by the Student Advocacy and Suppport team. Prior to full review, students may be asked to provide supplemental documentation. You will be notified after a determination has been made.
At times, students who request a medical withdraw for the current term in which they are enrolled may have also registered for courses in future terms. The student's future courses may be administratively dropped by the university if the request for medical withdraw is approved. This decision is evaluated on a case by case basis. Decision factors include: the time at which the medical concern arises in the present term, the severity and intensity of the medical condition, the extensiveness of treatment, and the opinion of the treating health care provider. Students should be cautious in attempting to return to school before they are physically or mentally ready.
Required Steps for Requesting Re-Enrollment After a Medical Withdrawal
When a medical withdraw is approved a registration hold is placed on the student's account. The re-enrollment form and required documentation will need to be submitted and approved by Student Advocacy and Support before the registration hold is lifted. Students are encouraged to complete the re-enrollment process with Student Advocacy and Support at least four (4) weeks prior to the term in which they intend to enroll. Students who have not been enrolled at UNL for three (3) consecutive semesters or have been academically dismissed will need to complete the re-application process through the Office of Admissions. This is separate from the re-enrollment process with Student Advocacy and Support.
When student is ready to return to UNL following a medical leave, student are required to complete the following steps:
Step 1 - Meet with Student Advocacy and Support
- Discuss your current circumstances and your readiness to re-engage with your academics
- Review the process of re-enrollment, required documentation, and re-enrollment request form
- Schedule your appointment here
Step 2 - Consult with Campus Partners
- Consult with Husker Hub about financial aid implications
- Consult with academic advisor about degree progression implications
- Consult with other campus resources and departments
Step 3 - Complete the Re-enrollment Request Form and sign Release of Information
Personal Statement
You will need to submit a personal statement that explains the following:
- How you have addressed your medical condition during your time away from UNL
- How you anticipate using services on and off campus to support your health and academic success going forward
Provider Statement
Students will need to submit documentation from an impartial, licensed health care provider consisting of a letter on clinic letterhead with the provider’s full name, credentials and signature that must explain:
- The nature and duration of the provider's relationship with the student
- The nature of the therapy or treatment they provided
- The effectiveness or success of the treatment or therapy
- The need for additional therapy, treatment or support, or accommodations and the extent to which they can be provided while the students is simultaneously enrolled at the university
- Recommendations for campus support to aid in the student's successful re-enrollment (e.g., reduced course load, online classes, living on campus, connection to academic coaching, etc.)
Note: Documentation that does not address each of these elements will result in the re-enrollment request not meeting the threshold for approval.
What's Next
Re-enrollment requests are reviewed on a rolling basis by Student Advocacy and Support. Prior to full review, students may be asked to provide supplemental documentation. You will be notified after a determination has been made.
FAQ's
Who has access to my medical withdraw information and provider documentation?
- Only the Student Advocacy and Support team has access to the specifics of your medical withdraw application. Approved medical withdrawal requests are communicated via memorandum to the Office of the University Registrar, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, Student Accounts, University Housing (if applicable), and the Director of Advising for the college the student is enrolled in.
How are decisions made regarding the medical withdraw and re-enrollment request?
- Decisions are based on the student's personal statement and the recommendations from the provider documentation. It would be helpful for students to sign a Release of Information (ROI) between their provider and the SAS office, should we need additional supporting information for the request.
What happens if my medical withdraw or re-enrollment request is denied?
- To appeal a decision, students need to email studentadvocacy@unl.edu and request appeal information.