Retroactive Withdrawal

The Retroactive Withdrawal process allows students to petition to withdraw from all or some classes in one or more terms after those terms have ended. If permission is granted, the result is that all failing grades (F or WU) for those terms are changed to WX grades. Please see the chart below for a description of the WX grade.

Students who unofficially withdraw from one or more terms, receive WU grades in ALL coursework taken those terms, and have serious and compelling reasons for the unofficial withdrawal. See the chart below for a description of the WU grade. 

A student has up to one (1) calendar year from the last day of the term in question to apply for a Retroactive Withdrawal. A student does not need to be enrolled at the University at the time that the petition for Retroactive Withdrawal is submitted. The petition form and documentation should be submitted to the Office of Student Success. Deadlines can be found on the Student Success Central Academic Calendar.

The Cal Poly Pomona Retroactive Withdrawal Committee will give consideration to the following factors:

• The student has provided a clear explanation of why the student did not withdraw from the university by filing the appropriate forms with the Registrar’s Office in a timely manner during the term(s) in question.
• The student has serious and compelling reasons for the student’s unofficial withdrawal, e.g., serious illness or injury to student or family member, death in the family, etc.
• The student has provided documentation of the serious and compelling reasons.
• The student’s overall academic history.
• If the student earned A-F grades during the term(s) in question, a clear explanation of why those grades were not WU grades.
• In the rare case that exceptional circumstances prevent the student from filing the petition within one calendar year of the last day of the term(s) for which the student is requesting retroactive withdrawal, a clear explanation, supported by documentation, of these circumstances.
• Supporting documentation from the student’s major department advisor or from the student’s advisor(s) in support programs such as the Maximizing Engineering Potential Program, the Educational Opportunity Program, and Disability Resource Center.

• Access the Request for Retroactive Withdrawal e-form through PolyDocs. If you are unable to access it, contact the Office of Student Success at (909) 869-6975.
• Review the guidelines on the form carefully. If you have questions about the process, contact the Office of Student Success at (909) 869-6975.
• Complete, sign and date the form.
• Provide a statement following the suggestions. Use business letter format and address your statement to the Retroactive Withdrawal Committee.
• Provide documentation that supports your statement.
• Before submitting your petition packet, review your packet with your college advisor.
• Submit your completed petition packet by the deadlines posted on the Office of Student Success website.

The University is committed to maintaining integrity in and outside of the classroom.

If you receive communication that your petition has been denied for insufficient and/or possibly altered documentation, you should resubmit within the timeframe communicated, and ensure the information submitted is accurate, honest, and from the original source. Please review our documentation guidelines for more information.

You may receive additional communication from the Care Center to offer additional support.

The Request for Retroactive Withdrawal petition e-form, as well as general information and guidelines, is available on the e-form.