Northwestern Students

Adds, Drops, and Withdrawals

Students who have registered for a course are considered enrolled for the duration, and are expected to attend all sessions of the courses for which they are registered. Excessive absences do not signal a student's intent to drop or withdraw, and is cause for failure in the course. The student is also responsible to pay any tuition balance remaining on their account. Therefore, students wishing to change their registration in any way - by adding or dropping a course - must do so through the Office of the Registrar. Only the Registrar may process registration changes. Do not send correspondence regarding adds, drops and withdrawals to the course instructor or to the Office of Student Accounts.

All changes in registration must be made through CAESAR or at

Office of the Registrar
Rebecca Crown Center
633 Clark Street
Evanston, Illinois 60208-1118

The following policies apply to all changes in registration:

• You may add a course up to its second class meeting. Any difference in tuition will be billed to your account.
• Failure to attend a course does not, in itself, constitute a drop or withdrawal under any circumstances and incurs a failing grade (F) on official transcripts.
• You may drop a course up to its midpoint without incurring a failing grade.
• You may withdraw entirely from the Summer Session by filling out a Cancellation/Withdrawal Form available in the Office of the Registrar. If 60 percent of the course has elapsed on the date of withdrawal, the course remains on your transcript with a grade of W.
• Failure to drop a course within the time allowed is regarded as a failure and is recorded with a grade of F.
• You may not drop or withdraw after a course has ended.
• Students who drop courses or withdraw from Summer Session may be eligible for a tuition refund, less any non-refundable fees and deposits. Please see the Refund Policy and Schedule below.

Refund Policy & Schedule

Students may be eligible to receive a full or partial tuition refund, less any non-refundable fees and deposits. Northwestern University's refund policy is based on the percentage of time (number of days in the session, including weekends and holidays) that you were enrolled as a student in your class. The Office of Student Accounts considers the effective date in making financial adjustments the date of the drop in CAESAR or the date the completed Change of Registration form is received at the Office of the Registrar.

In general, if you drop or withdraw

• When or before 10% of the course elapsed, 100% of tuition will be refunded*
• After 10% but when or before 25% of the course elapsed, 75% of tuition will be refunded*
• After 25% but when or before 50% of the course elapsed, 50% of tuition will be refunded*
• After  50% of the course has elapsed, 0% of tuition will be refunded*

*less any non-refundable fees and tuition deposits

As Summer Session classes meet for various durations and have start and end dates throughout the summer, you should consult the Office of Student Accounts for help with determining your potential refund.

Office of Student Accounts
555 Clark Street
Evanston, IL 60208
847-491-5224
www.northwestern.edu/sfs