Medical Withdrawal
Medical withdrawals may be granted to students who experience a serious or unexpected physical or behavioral health condition; who may need to provide care to an immediate family member who is experiencing a serious or unexpected physical or behavioral health condition; or who have experienced the death of an immediate family member. Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Like other withdrawals, medical withdrawal results in the drop of all enrolled classes for the given term.
Tuition Refunds
If a medical withdrawal is approved, tuition will be refunded based on the schedule below.
If you are participating in a study abroad program sponsored by UW–Madison, you will not be refunded according to the schedule in this policy. You should work with your study abroad advisor if you are in need of a medical withdrawal.
Fall and Spring Full Semester Courses
| Weeks Into Session | Refund Ranges |
|---|---|
| 0-2 Weeks | 100% |
| 3-4 Weeks | 90% |
| 5-8 Weeks | 70% |
| 9-12 Weeks | 50% |
| 13+ Weeks | 30% |
Summer and Other Non-Standard-Length Courses
| Weeks Into Session | Refund Ranges |
|---|---|
| First Week | 100% |
| Second Week | 70-90% |
| 3-4 Weeks | 50-70% |
| 5+ Weeks | 30-50% |
Requesting a Medical Withdrawal
Step 1: Enter your request to withdraw in Student Center with reason code of “medical”
If you make your request after the withdrawal deadline, you cannot initiate a withdrawal in Student Center and will need to make your request directly to your academic dean’s office.
Step 2: Contact your academic dean’s office
You need to work with the academic dean’s office in your school/college to complete your medical withdrawal. Documentation is required for medical withdrawals requested after the 100% refund deadline.
Documentation Requirements:
- In the case of a physical or behavioral health condition: A supporting letter from a licensed healthcare provider or healthcare records that correlate with and substantiate the request for the term of medical withdrawal. A licensed health care provider may include a licensed medical (e.g., physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant) or mental health care provider (e.g., psychologist, counselor, social worker).
- In the case of death of an immediate family member: An obituary or other official record of death may be requested as documentation.
Step 3: Review our Withdraw or Cancel Enrollment page
This page has more information about withdrawing, including the impacts of withdrawing, returning to UW–Madison, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Step 4: Seek out campus resources for help
If you are facing personal challenges and need help, UW–Madison has resources available.