Standard Separation
When a student initiates a separation from the university prior to the end of Period Two (the 10th week of classes during a standard 16 week semester) at a minimum the following steps are required:
Minimum steps required to separate from the University | ||
| Contact/meet with the primary academic advisor to discuss the Studnet Separation. | ||
Initiate a Student Separation request in Workday.
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| International Students must also meet with an advisor in the International Students and Scholars Office prior to submitting the Student Separation request. | ||
| If the separation request is approved, the student is eligible to return to the university for a future term with the same academic status that the student held at the beginning of the separation term. | ||
| Late-term Separation (Period Three) the student must provide documentation establishing an “extenuating circumstance” that prevents the student from fulfilling their academic responsibilities. | ||
Details
Standard Separation is defined as dropping all classes for the current term after the semester/session has begun. Students who are considering separation from the university should immediately consult their academic advisor to discuss reasons for the separation and alternatives. The separation procedures established by the Office of the Registrar must be followed otherwise course instructors will assign grades or marks they consider appropriate. Since these grades may be F’s, students are advised that failure to follow the prescribed separation procedures may adversely affect their academic record.
Standard separations occur in three periods during the typical 16 week fall and spring terms.
- Period One – First 5 days of fall or spring semester, week 1.
- Period Two – Weeks 2 – 10.
- Period Three – Weeks 11 – 15.
Period Three Separations are granted only for circumstances beyond the student’s control that impact the ability to remain enrolled and complete academic responsibilities. (Examples include, but are not limited to, personal trauma, family emergencies, legal difficulties, etc.) Period Three separations require a petition to the college of the student’s primary major requesting permission to separate. Undergraduate students on probation who withdraw during Period Three will be subject to academic dismissal at the end of the term.
Finals Week - Students should not expect to separate during Finals Week
Additional Considerations for Standard Separation
Before separating from the university, a student should carefully consider all the potential effects of such a separation. Considerations should include, but are not limited to:
- The student is withdrawn from all courses based on the separation date on the request, and tuition and fees are adjusted, if appropriate, according to established policies approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. See http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/tuition-adj. Questions about tuition assessments should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
- Students utilizing Financial Aid who separate should consult with the Office of Student Financial Aid before completing the separation process to discuss the impact that separation will have on the student’s financial aid obligations. Federal regulations and university policy may require the repayment of a portion of the financial aid funds the student received.
- Graduate students’ tuition, assistantship and fellowship support may be impacted by a separation.
- Students who receive Veterans Benefits, may be required to repay all or a portion of the tuition benefits they received for the term.
- Students living in on-campus housing or who have a campus meal plan, may be responsible for prorated housing and dining charges based on the date of their separation.
- Students who separate are also responsible for charges assessed for any products and services associated with their enrollment, such as text books, health insurance, athletic tickets, etc. Students should consult with Accounts Receivable to determine the amount owed to the university at the time of separation.
- Students who develop a pattern of separation (for example, a student submitting a Period Three separation request for two consecutive semesters, or separating repeatedly each Spring semester) may have a Dean of Students Office Hold (R) placed on their record by the college at the time of separation. This is part of the university’s commitment to the student’s academic success. Working with the Dean of Students Office is designed to guide students to more sustainable and productive academic and personal success strategies, and reduce the likelihood of a continued pattern of academic difficulty.
Iowa State University will review a request for tuition and fee refund provided you meet the requirements of the Tuition and Fee Appeal policy.
Separation Policy
Separation Terminology
Roles and Responsibilities
Tuition Appeal