Advising

Medical and Compassionate Withdrawal Request Procedures

A request for a documented medical/compassionate withdrawal requires specific and relevant professional documentation. An approved documented medical or compassionate withdrawal is typically for all courses in a semester. Requests for partial withdrawals are seldom approved; they must be especially well-documented by your personal statement and the supporting documentation due to the selective nature of the request. The decision of the college is final.

To request a documented medical or compassionate withdrawal:

 Step 1

Go to MyASU to confirm that New College is your home college. Complete the Request for Documented Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal form. Students receiving financial assistance are strongly encouraged to consult with a Student Financial Assistance counselor to determine any financial obligation before making the request. International students with an F1/J1 visa must obtain the signature of the advisor in the International Students and Scholars Center prior to submitting the request.  

 Step 2

Compose a brief personal statement describing the situation leading you to seek the withdrawal. The statement must explain specifically why and how the emergency circumstances prevented you from completing your assignments and participating in your classes during the requested term.  You must also include the last date that you attended or participated in classes. 

 Step 3

Request relevant professional documentation appropriate to your situation. For a documented medical withdrawal, the University requires an original letter from the attending medical or mental health care provider, mailed directly from the provider (on their letterhead/envelope), that specifies: 

• the date of onset of illness in the requested term
• the last date you attended/participated in class(es) in the requested term
• the dates you were under professional care in the requested term
• the general nature of your medical condition and specifically why and how it prevented the student from completing coursework during the requested term
• the date of anticipated return to school
• health care provider’s release to return to classes (if applicable) 

It is suggested that you share these requirements with the health care provider. Discharge paperwork, office visit summaries, receipts, appointment cards, lab results, etc., will not be accepted as a substitute for the letter. 

For a documented compassionate withdrawal, if seeking the withdrawal due to emergency medical conditions of a child, spouse, or elderly parent, a letter from the attending health care provider is required. The letter must be mailed directly from the health care provider (on their letterhead/envelope), that specifies:

• the relationship of the patient to the student
• the date of onset of illness
• the dates under professional care
• the general nature of the medical condition and specifically why and how it prevented the student from completing course work during the requested term 

In the case of the death of a child, spouse, or family member, a copy of the death certificate is required. If you traveled out-of-state for services, a copy of the publicly available obituary and travel itinerary is suggested. 

It is suggested that you share these requirements with the health care provider.  Please note, discharge documentation, office visit summaries, receipts, appointment cards, lab results, etc., will not be accepted as a substitute for the letter. 

 Step 4

Submit the request form, personal statement and any supporting non-medical documentation to New College by one of the following methods:

 Step 5

Have your health care provider(s) send their supporting letter to New College by one of the following methods: 

Please view the ASU Policy at https://students.asu.edu/forms/medical-compassionate-withdrawal-request. 

For questions regarding a documented medical/compassionate withdrawal, please email nc.mcw@asu.edu.