Add or Drop a Class

Adding or Dropping a Class

The Registrar's website provides detailed information for dates and/or fees related to adding or dropping a course.

Ohio State Academy/College Credit Plus students should review specific application, scheduling, and drop information at http://academy-ccp.osu.edu.

Adding a Class Frequently Asked Questions

  • If you are below full-time (12 hours) and add a course, your tuition and fees will increase. Contact the Buckeye Link office for details if you are concerned
  • You will also be charged additional fees for each credit hour over 18 hours
  • You may be taking on too much work for one term. It can be hard to judge how much work a course will be, especially combined with other courses, work, and extra-curriculars. Most instructors expect you to study and attend class 3 hours each week for every 1 credit hour you enroll in. This means that a 3 credit course should take about 9 hours of your time each week.

If your course load is too heavy, you may want to drop a class, but this could put you behind on your degree plan. Work with your academic advisor for advice on whether to take on more course work.

If the section you are interested in is full, you will be given the option to waitlist for that section. Information and rules for the waitlist can be found on the Registrar's website.

Advising tips for the waitlist:

  • You should attend the first week of class if you are waitlisted. Even though you might not be added to the class, you do not want to be behind in the coursework if you are added from the waitlist
  • Make sure you keep the waitlisted course times open on your schedule; the system will not enroll you in a waitlisted course if your schedule has a conflict
  • The maximum number of hours you can register for without special permission is 18; you won't be enrolled off of a waitlist if it would put you over 18 hours
  • You must submit the online Financial Responsibility Statement before you can be added to a course from its waitlist

When you try to add a course that you have already enrolled in, you will receive a message that you will only receive credit for the course once. In some cases, when you attempt to repeat a course, you may receive a message that you have not met the enrollment requirements. If you receive this message, talk to your academic advisor.

  • When you repeat a class without Grade Forgiveness, both grades remain on your record and are calculated into your cumulative GPA. Credit for the course will count only once toward graduation

Some courses need the instructor's permission to enroll. Other courses may have prerequisites that you do not meet but would like the instructor to waive.

  • To add these classes, download a Course Enrollment Form.
    • There are clear instructions on this form, so please read them thoroughly. Make sure you get all of the signatures before bringing it to your advising office

When you audit a class, you attend a class for which you do not receive a grade or credit. Audited classes do not count toward your financial aid status or toward graduation. Please contact the BuckeyeLink office or your scholarship provider before choosing this option.

  • To audit a class, download a Course Enrollment Form. You will need permission from the instructor to enroll in the class for an audit
    • There are clear instructions on this form, so please read them thoroughly. Make sure you get all of the signatures before bringing it to your advising office

You will need permission from your advising office. This would be a good reason to schedule an appointment with your advisor.

  • Remember that you will be charged additional fees for each credit over 18 hours.

Before you drop a class

If you are are having trouble in a course, talk to your instructor about help or tutoring, or about taking an incomplete before you decide to drop the course. DO NOT just stop going to class. The instructor will not drop the course for you! You need to request to drop courses and/or withdraw from the university.

Impacts of dropping a class

Dropping a course or withdrawing from the university may impact:

  • Financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, Consortium Agreements). Contact the Buckeye Link office to talk with a staff person before changing your schedule
  • G.I. Bill tuition benefits. Contact (614) 247-VETS (8387) for more information
  • Athletic eligibility. If you are a varsity athlete, you must see your SASSO advisor for approval before taking a signed form to your academic advisor
  • Your housing contract. Contact (614) 292-8266 for more information
  • Your visa, contact (614) 292-6101 for more information. If you are an international student, you must see an advisor in the Office of International Affairs for approval before taking a signed form to your academic advisor
  • Any tuition reduction received if your parent/s work for the university. Contact (614) 292-1050 for more information
  • Your tuition waiver, if you are a university employee. Contact (614) 292-1050 for more information.
  • Your car or home insurance, if you receive discounts for being a full-time student
  • Your health insurance, if you need to be a full-time student to be covered on a parent's policy

Are you ready to drop a class?

The rules for dropping classes depends on how much of the course you have already completed.

Visit the Office of the University Registrar for more information and additional specific dates related to dropping courses or withdrawing from the university.

1st Friday of the Course

Drop online without a W

  • Summer 4 Week Session 1, 2, or 3 (4 week courses)
2nd Friday of the Course

Drop online without a W

  • Autumn Session 1 or 2 (7 week courses)
  • Spring Session 1 or 2 (7 week courses)
  • Summer 6 Week Session 1 or 2 (6 courses)
  • Summer 8 Week Session 1 or 2 (8 week courses)
3rd Friday of the Course

Drop with a W with an advisor's assistance

  • Summer 4 Week Session 1, 2, or 3 (4 week courses)
4th Friday of the Course

Drop online without a W

  • Full Autumn or Spring Semester (14 week courses)
  • Full Summer Term (12 week courses)
5th Friday of the Course

Drop with a W (with an advisor's assistance)

  • Autumn Session 1 or 2 (7 week courses)
  • Spring Session 1 or 2 (7 week courses)
  • Summer 6 Week Session 1 or 2 (6 week courses)
  • Summer 8 Week Session 1 or 2 (8 week courses)
10th Friday of the Course

Drop with a W (with an advisor's assistance)

  • Full Autumn or Spring Semester (14 week courses)
  • Full Summer Term (12 week courses)
  • You have decided to finish the course once the deadline to drop without a W has passed
  • Only extreme circumstances are considered for a drop beyond this date, so you will have to submit a petition to your advising office that explains your situation. Your academic advisor can walk you through the requirements. Not all petitions for late drops are approved, so your advisor can also help you think about how you can work through the course this term.
  • Taking the Final Exam is the last act of commitment to the course.

If you are pursuing a petition to drop classes or withdraw from the university after the term is over, it is best to do it quickly; usually within 1-2 terms of the term you are withdrawing from. Successful petitions result in changes to your academic record, but may or may not result in changes to tuition, fees, or refunds.

DROP FOR NON-PAYMENT OF AN OUTSTANDING DEBT

Students who have past-due balances on their Statement of Account won't be allowed to register for future courses until they are paid, and students with past-due balances who already have registered for future courses will be dropped from those courses and must pay in full to re-register. A past-due balance could include unpaid tuition and fees, housing and dining, or other charges or penalties.