Withdrawal
The University uses the term withdraw to formally indicate that a student has dropped or will drop all courses for a given term. Withdrawing from the university differs from dropping one or several classes within a given semester, because as long as a student retains at least one class, he or she is still considered to be registered for that semester.
Please note all students who withdraw will be charged a $75 withdrawal fee.
A withdrawal is done in consultation with the deans or advisors in your school, but is initiated by the student in almost all cases. A statement will be added to your transcript indicating that you have withdrawn from the University. Depending on the date of withdrawal, you may be entitled to some pro-rated refund of tuition. See Student Financial Services Financial Aid and Withdrawing From Columbia to learn more.
It is extremely important that you consult with your advisor and school to be informed of how a withdrawal will affect your standing, degree pursuit, privileges, and conditions for return before you file a withdrawal.
Withdrawal Refund Rates
Week 1 & Week 2
100% tuition and fees (except document fee) refunded
Week 3
90% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
Week 4
80% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
Week 5
70% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
Week 6
60% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
Week 7
50% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
Week 8
40% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
Additional Notes
- The rates above are subject to review by the Trustees of the University.
- Columbia University refunds 100% of tuition before the change of program period ends. For Fall and Spring Semester: Week 1 and Week 2 occur during the change of program period.
- Week 3 begins on the first Monday after the change of program period ends each semester. Each week begins on a Monday.
- For programs that start outside of the official academic calendar, please check with your school's Registration Services or Academic Affairs office to determine the rate of your tuition refund.
- For programs that begin before or after the official Change of Program Period, Week 1 and Week 2, refer to the first two weeks of the specific program, not the weeks during the official Change of Program period.
- The Professional Studies Summer Sessions refund schedule differs from the Fall and Spring Semester schedule. Students in other schools or programs should contact their deans or student affairs office for more information on summer term withdrawals.
- Fees such as the Health Service fee, the Student Medical Insurance premium, the University facilities fee, course fees, and late fees are not refundable if the withdrawal takes place after the change-of-program period. If the withdrawal takes place before or during the change-of-program period, these fees are refunded in full. The one-time document fee and application fee are not refundable.
- There is no difference in the proration schedule of a school or program charging per point or flat rate tuition.
Tuition Refund Insurance
GradGuard Tuition Insurance can protect your investment by providing reimbursement when a student can’t complete an academic term due to an unforeseen, covered accident, injury, chronic illness, or mental health condition. Optional insurance can protect up to the policy coverage limits of a family’s education investment should a student withdraw for a covered medical reason up to the coverage amount.
This coverage strengthens and broadens the scope of our existing refund policy and can provide reimbursement for tuition, room, board, and other fees. To learn more, please visit the GradGuard website.