Course Completion • Extensions, Transfers, Withdrawals

How can I request a course extension? How much does it cost? How many extensions am I allowed? When can I request an extension?
How do I transfer to another Independent Study course? What is the cost?
May I transfer from an Iindependent Study course to an on-campus KU course?
How do I withdraw from a course? What is the withdrawal deadline? Do I get a refund?

How can I request a course extension? How much does it cost? How many extensions am I allowed? When can I request an extension?

For students enrolled prior to August 1, 2011: In most cases, courses expire six months after the enrollment date. For active military students and students residing outside the United States, courses expire nine months after the enrollment date. Students* may request to extend their enrollment by three months if they have submitted all assignments required to take the midterm. If a course does not have a midterm, the student must have submitted 50% of the course assignments to be eligible to request an extension. The request must be received before the course expiration date. Upon approval and receipt of a nonrefundable $40 processing fee, the course completion date will be extended by three months. If an extension is granted, the additional 3 months to complete the course will be considered period 3 for the purposes of applying the withdrawal policy and students will not be allowed to withdraw from the course.

*KU degree-seeking students using financial aid to pay for their Independent Study enrollment(s) are not eligible for an extension.

How do I transfer to another Independent Study course? What is the cost?

For students enrolled prior to August 1, 2011: A request to transfer from one course to another must be made in writing within 1 month of the date of enrollment. The initial course expiration date, withdrawal deadlines, refund deadlines, and extension policy remain in effect.

A fee of $40, a new materials fee, and additional tuition/fees, if necessary, will be charged. A refund will be made if tuition for the new course is less than tuition for the old course. No refund can be made if the student withdraws from the new course. Only one transfer is allowed per course enrollment and the transfer fee is nonrefundable.

KU students enrolled in Architecture & Urban Planning, Education, Engineering, and Nursing must obtain permission from their school before transferring.

May I transfer from an Independent Study course to an on-campus KU course?

For students enrolled prior to August 1, 2011: It is not possible to transfer from an Independent Study course to an on-campus course. It is also not possible to transfer from an on-campus course to an Independent Study course. Instead, you must withdraw from one course and enroll in the other.

How do I withdraw from a course? What is the withdrawal deadline? Do I get a refund?

For students enrolled prior to August 1, 2011: Student Initiated*

The withdrawal period is divided into three segments. During Period 1 all schools and colleges allow students to cancel a course without permission. The cancelled course does not appear on the academic record for undergraduate students. Graduate students will receive a grade of W, which will appear on the transcript, but will not be included in computing the grade point average on the transcript. Period 1 includes the first 1.5 months from the date of enrollment. Students who complete 75% of their course during Period 1 are not allowed to withdraw from that course. Withdrawals submitted within Period 1 will be eligible for a partial refund. Tuition, off-campus area fee, and course fee (if applicable)—minus a $40 processing fee—will be refunded. The fees for materials, services, and postage are not refundable. Students who withdraw after 1.5 months will not receive a refund. Failure to submit assignments or obtain textbooks does not entitle students to a refund.

Period 2 ends 4.5 months from the date of enrollment. Students seeking to withdraw from a course during Period 2 will receive a grade of W, which will appear on the transcript, but will not be included in computing the grade point average on the transcript. KU students enrolled in Architecture & Urban Planning, Education, Engineering, and Nursing must obtain permission from their school before withdrawing during period 2. Students who complete 75% of their course during period 2 are not allowed to withdraw from that course.

Period 3 begins after the last day of period 2 and continues until the course completion deadline. Students cannot withdraw from a course during period 3. Students who do not complete their course during period 3 will have a grade of F posted on their transcript and the grade will be calculated into their GPA.

Please note most Independent Study courses require a passing grade on the final exam to pass the course. For students who do not withdraw from an Independent Study course and do not take the final exam for the course, a grade of F is recorded on the transcript.

Withdrawal requests can be made by using your Online Service Account.

* (Policy subject to change pending university approval.)

For students enrolled prior to August 1, 2011: Initiated by Independent Study

Students dismissed from KU are not allowed to enroll in Independent Study courses. Students enrolled in an Independent Study course and who are subsequently dismissed from KU may have their Independent Study course enrollment cancelled. If a student’s course enrollment is cancelled, the student will receive a full refund.