Withdrawal for Medical Reasons

How To Withdraw for Medical Reasons

Step 1: Contact the Office of the Dean of Your Academic College

To initiate the process of withdrawing from the University for medical reasons, start by contacting the academic assistant dean or student service office director (ex. College of Arts & Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, etc.). It is important to note:

1. This withdrawal must be obtained by the day prior to the last day of classes of any given semester.
2. Your college might ask that you provide professional verification of your condition. If you worked with a medical provider, inquire about their ability to provide the appropriate documentation.
3. Withdrawal for medical reasons will result in a Dean of Students (medical) Hold on your student account. You will receive grades of WP or WF for all of your classes, but your overall GPA will not be affected.

Step 2: Complete a Tuition Appeal

Tuition appeals consider student request for reimbursement of tuition charges associated with a withdraw from Ohio University. Once completed, the tuition appeal should be submitted for review through the academic college in which the student is enrolled. To learn how to submit a tuition appeal and to whom you should submit it, review the Student Tuition Appeals and Late Drops webpage.

How To Return To School

We hope you will be able to return to your studies at Ohio University, which you can do after medical clearance has been granted by a healthcare professional treating your condition. Please note that while the "medical hold" is in effect you will not be able to register for classes.

If you decide to apply for re-enrollment to Ohio University, you must complete these steps:

1. Submit all required paperwork one (1) month in advance of the semester in which you wish to re-enroll.
2. Have the provider in charge of your treatment complete a Readiness to Return Form [PDF] and required written assessment. 
3. Notify your provider that they must submit the required written assessment as stated on the Readiness to Return form.
4. Sign a form authorizing the release of information [PDF] to the Office of the Dean of Students so that the staff can speak to your provider. The purpose of sharing this information is to establish that you have resolved the difficulties that caused you to withdraw for medical reasons and that you are now prepared to successfully return. Aside from downloading the form in this step, you may also obtain the release of information from your practitioner.
5. Please call the Office of the Dean of Students to verify that the Readiness to Return Form, provider letter, and Release of Information Form have been received and answer any remaining questions. Please note: The Office of the Dean of Students usually requires a conversation between students and a member of our team prior to any final decision to lift a medical hold prior to re-enrollment, and that the University retains the right to grant final clearance.
6. Re-enroll through the Office of the Registrar by completing the Re-enrollment Form.
7. Please review the Campus Resources [PDF] when Returning from Medical Withdrawal. 

If you are unable to access the forms mentioned in any step, you may obtain a copy by calling the Office of the Dean of Students at 740.593.1800.