Essential Information

Withdrawals for Medical Reasons

To request a withdrawal for a medical reason, read the following information, print out the Petition for Complete Withdrawal for Medical Reason form, complete the form, and mail or bring it to the Klotz Student Health Center Room 242, with a letter from your doctor stating the medical reason for your withdrawal and supporting your withdrawal request. Before coming to the Klotz Student Health Center, please call (818) 677-3691 to arrange a review of your application with the Medical Withdrawal Coordinator. To comply with California State University (CSU) requirements, Cal State Northridge requires that your request be confidentially reviewed by the Klotz Student Health Center Director. Graduate students must also obtain signatures from Professors, Department Chairs, and/or other University Administrators. The Coordinator will advise you of the specific requirements you will need to complete your request after reviewing your application at the time of your visit.

A withdrawal for medical reason constitutes a complete withdrawal from the University for the academic period in question. Students who are granted complete withdrawals for medical reason forfeit their right to use those student services available to regularly enrolled students until the first day of classes in the semester they return to school.

Students seeking complete withdrawals may complete the necessary forms at the Klotz Student Health Center before the last day of the semester. Upon receipt of a letter verifying a medical condition from a student's personal physician, the Director of the Health Center will evaluate the case. Withdrawals will be granted solely for established medical purposes prior to a student taking final examinations. Withdrawals due to illness in the family will be granted only if the attending physician stipulates that the student is needed to care for the family member. Graduate students will then need to obtain the approval of their instructors and Department Chairs and/or Deans of their major. If you apply during the last 3 weeks of the semester, the approval of the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies will also be required.

In certain extraordinary circumstances, retroactive withdrawals may be approved, provided that:

  • A student may not have taken final exams.
  • A student is withdrawing from all classes from the semester in question.

Retroactive withdrawals will be limited to one calendar year from the date of condition. A withdrawal petition is considered retroactive when the date of receipt of the submission is after the official last day of the semester, or the last official day of the academic year, as published in the Schedule of Classes. For undergraduates, all retroactive withdrawal petitions must be addressed to and reviewed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies, University Hall, Room 215, (818) 677-2969 for further information. For graduates, please complete the paperwork and contact the Medical Withdrawal Coordinator, Klotz Student Health Center Room 242, (818) 677-3691.

Please Note:

  • The medical withdrawal process should be completed as soon as possible. After one semester, applications are no longer valid. You will have to re-apply with a request for a retroactive withdrawal.
  • Withdrawals for medical reason may affect a student's financial aid. Students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office (ext. 4085) for clarification.
  • Withdrawals for medical reason may affect a student's Academic Status. Contact Admissions and Records (ext. 3700, option 7).
  • If students are registered with the International Programs office, a withdrawal may affect their student visa. Please check with that office (ext. 3053) prior to submitting the application.
  • If a student applies for more than three withdrawals for medical reason during their college career, they may be required to seek academic advisement before their return to school.
  • If a hold is placed on a student record because of a withdrawal for medical reason, it will be necessary for the student to provide written clearance from a medical provider before they will be allowed to return to school. Please bring the clearance note to the Klotz Student Health Center Room 242 prior to registration.
  • If a student applies for a withdrawal for medical reason during the last three weeks of instruction, consultation is required with the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies, Dr. Mack Johnson.
  • The Student Health Center does not handle refunds. If students believe they are entitled to a refund, they should contact Student Financial Services (ext. 4085, press 9) after receipt of written notification from Admissions and Records that the medical withdrawal has been completed.
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