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Find the official policies that govern our student and academic community.
A student’s active enrollment status at Stanford may be discontinued for reasons such as failing to enroll or obtain an approved leave of absence by the final study list deadline, voluntarily leaving, academic dismissal, or expulsion. Students in these situations must apply for reinstatement to return to their program, unless they are already in an approved leave within policy limits.
Stanford students may separate from the university either voluntarily or involuntarily. A student's active status may be discontinued if the student:
fails to enroll by the final study list deadline (FSLD); or
does not submit an approved leave of absence request by the FSLD; or
is dismissed from their academic program(s) for academic reasons; or
is expelled from the university; or
voluntarily withdraws from study in their academic program(s)
Students who fail to be either enrolled by the final study list deadline, fail to submit a Leave of Absence petition by the published deadline, or have not formally withdrawn or been dismissed from the university will be discontinued and must apply for reinstatement.
The Office of the Registrar will discontinue the degree program(s) of any student who is not enrolled or on an approved leave of absence by the Final Study List deadline of the quarter. Students who do not seek to correct a discontinuation in the term that it occurred will have their discontinuation upheld for the quarter.
Graduate students wishing to correct enrollment in the quarter of discontinuation should submit the Late Study List Add Petition opens in a new tab. Undergraduate students wishing to correct enrollment in the quarter of discontinuation should submit the Late Study Lists Petition opens in a new tab if they have been attending and participating in courses since before the Final Study List deadline. Coterminal students should submit the appropriate petition for whichever billing group they are in for the affected quarter.
Discontinued students may also request a leave of absence for their discontinued quarter, by submitting the Leave of Absence for Discontinued Students opens in a new tab prior to the term withdrawal deadline of the effective term as listed on the academic calendar.
Information about reinstatement following discontinuation can be found in the Reinstatement section of this Bulletin.
The principal conditions for continued registration of a graduate student are the timely and satisfactory completion of the university and degree program requirements for the degree, and fulfillment of minimum progress requirements. Stanford University defines procedures for dismissal of graduate students (including coterminal graduate) who are not meeting these conditions; these procedures vary based on whether the dismissal occurs before or during degree candidacy. Please see the Guidelines for Dismissal of Graduate Students for Academic and Professional Reasons Bulletin page for additional information.
Undergraduate students are not traditionally dismissed for academic reasons, but may be discontinued as a condition of academic suspension; please refer to the policy on Undergraduate Academic Suspension.
Expulsion from the university is the permanent termination of an individual’s status as a student, with the loss of all rights and privileges appurtenant thereto. If a Judicial Panel recommends expulsion from the university, the case will be automatically reviewed by the Provost. The Provost has the option of supporting the recommendation of expulsion or imposing lesser sanctions. A student who is expelled from Stanford University may not seek reinstatement.
Graduate students who wish to terminate study at Stanford must submit the appropriate Request to Permanently Withdraw from Degree Program form opens in a new tab in Axess. This form authorizes the Registrar to close the student’s degree program and cancel the authorization to enroll in courses and use campus services. To receive a full tuition refund for the quarter in which they withdraw, students must complete and submit this form before the Preliminary Study List deadline of the term. Students must provide an accurate last date of attendance in classes or academic activities, and will be assessed a prorated tuition amount based on the date they provide. Recipients of student aid must ensure they provide the same last date of attendance to both the Office of the Registrar and the Financial Aid department.
Students who are on a leave of absence at the time they request a permanent withdrawal will be discontinued immediately, and any remaining leave terms will be canceled.
Students should discuss withdrawal plans with their degree program's student services officer and advisor. International students holding F-1 or J-1 visas should connect with the Bechtel International Center to understand how filing this form may affect their visa status.
Undergraduate students who wish to terminate their study (e.g., required for transfer to, matriculation at, or full-time study in another institution) should submit the Request to Permanently Withdraw from Degree Program form opens in a new tab for review and approval by the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE) . The form should be submitted in advance of enrollment and matriculation at another institution. Failure to submit this form in a timely manner will result in the Office of the University Registrar processing the withdrawal on the student’s behalf after verification of enrollment and matriculation at another institution. To receive a full tuition refund for the quarter that the program is being discontinued, students must complete and submit this form before the Preliminary Study List deadline of the term. Students who indicate that they have attended class after the Preliminary Study List deadline will receive a prorated tuition amount based on the Last Date of Attendance listed on the form.
Undergraduates who submit a request to permanently withdraw and later wish to resume undergraduate studies must re-apply for admission to Stanford as a transfer student, and such readmission is not guaranteed. Requests to return and register are considered on a limited basis for students who permanently withdrew prior to AY 2015-26.
For undergraduates who submitted a Request to Permanently Withdraw form during AY 2015-2016 or later, applications for reinstatement through the Request to Return and Register in Undergraduate Study process are not appropriate.
Dual or joint-degree graduate students who wish to discontinue one of multiple active plans should review the guidelines for Graduate Program Changes. Coterminal students who wish to discontinue their master's program while remaining active in their undergraduate career should review the guidelines for Coterminal Program Changes. Dual-degree undergraduates or double-majors should review the guidelines for making changes to their undergraduate program opens in a new tab.
Information regarding any of the above discontinuation processes can be found on the Student Services website opens in a new tab.
Undergraduate students are required to take at least 12 units per quarter. Graduate students must take at least 8 units per quarter, but departments and schools may set a higher minimum.
Stanford allows students facing significant health, safety, or functional challenges to take a voluntary leave of absence and, in rare cases, may impose an involuntary leave if a student poses a serious risk or disruption that cannot be mitigated
Former students who were discontinued may apply for reinstatement into their degree program. The University is not obliged to approve reinstatements of students.
