Withdrawing and Readmission

If you are plan on leaving Laurier, here are the proper steps to take as an undergraduate student to withdraw: 

1. Consult an academic advisor. Discuss your plans to take a leave and learn how your academic path may be impacted.

 2. Drop courses on LORIS. 

• Ensure you drop all courses by the last day to avoid "XF" on your transcript. 
• Non-attendance does not count as official withdrawal. 
• You may be eligible for a tuition refund depending on the timing. 

3. Check Your Student Account: Log in to LORIS to confirm whether you have an outstanding balance or a credit on your account. If you have an outstanding balance, pay it in full using Laurier-approved payment options to avoid late fees, account holds, or having your overdue balance sent to Laurier Collections. If you see a negative balance (credit), you can request a refund directly through LORIS.

4. OSAP recipients: Notify Financial Aid. 

• Email financialaid@wlu.ca with the subject line "Withdrawal." 
• Complete an OSAP Course Load Update Form to update your application.

5. Review course load/registration changes. 

• Understand the implications of changing your course load. 

6. Update your mailing address in LORIS and ensure it is current. 

7. If you have a credit on your student account, request a refund. 

8. Complete the Tuition/Late Registration Fee Appeal (if applicable). 

• Appeals are for extenuating circumstances only. Read all information before completing. 

 9. Contact Department of Residence (if applicable) and follow the procedures for withdrawing from residence. 

10. Notify Access Control Office. 

• Email campusaccesscontrol@wlu.ca with your full name and student ID.

11. Notify the OneCard office. 

• If you have remaining funds, email them with your full name and student ID.

12. Return Library materials. 

• Ensure all materials are returned and outstanding fees are resolved. 

13. Complete the form below (if applicable). 

Temporary Withdrawals

Complete the appropriate form based on your program or student status:

• BBA: Leave of Absence Form: Bachelor of Business Administration
• BTM: Leave of Absence Form: Business Technology Management
• Students studying on a visa: Authorized Leave of Absence for International Students
• Faculty of Education, BEd leave of absence process
• Other undergraduate students are approved for a leave and do not need to complete a form.

Permanent Withdrawals

• For permanent withdrawals only, complete the Withdrawal Form based on your campus and program.
• Faculty of Education, BEd withdrawal process.

Understand Academic Penalties: Withdrawals after the deadline will result in uncompleted courses recorded as failures, affecting your GPA. If extenuating circumstances prevented timely withdrawal, submit a petition to the Graduate Student Appeals Committee.

If you are plan on leaving Laurier, here are the proper steps to take as an graduate student to withdraw:

1. Consult your supervisor or graduate program coordinator. 

• Discuss your plans and explore options like approved leaves or temporary withdrawals. 

2. Connect with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS). 

• Ensure you are informed about all available options before deciding to withdraw. 

3. Drop courses on LORIS.

• The effective date for course drops or withdrawal is when it is reported in writing to FGPS.
• Non-payment of fees or non-attendance does not count as an official withdrawal. 
• Be aware of fees and funding implications based on the effective date.
• Refunds are determined by the effective date on a term basis and are not available for audit-course classifications.

4. Check Your Student Account: Log in to LORIS to confirm whether you have an outstanding balance or a credit on your account. If you have an outstanding balance, pay it in full using Laurier-approved payment options to avoid late fees, account holds, or having your overdue balance sent to Laurier Collections. If you see a negative balance (credit), you can request a refund directly through LORIS.

5. Repay scholarship funds, if applicable. 

• Students who withdraw or change to part time before the end of term must repay the scholarship funds on a prorated basis. 

• Email financialaid@wlu.ca with the subject line "Withdrawal." 
• Complete an OSAP Course Load Update Form to update your application. 

• Complete the Request to Withdraw from Graduate Studies form. 
• Submit it to FGPS by email or the secure submission site. 

There are different ways of returning to Laurier depending on your academic record. 

Sequential Degree Request

• Eligibility: Applies if you have already completed a degree and wish to pursue another. 
• Approval: Requests are at the discretion of the department and the office of the relevant dean. Requests are not guaranteed. 
• Form: Complete the Sequential Degree Request form. 
• Requirements: Vary based on the type of degree and previous coursework. Full regulations are in the Academic Calendar. 

Re-Registration Request

• Eligibility: Applies if you voluntarily left Laurier in good academic standing and have either had a lapse in registration of 18 months or attended another postsecondary institution. 
• Form: Complete the Request for Re-registration Form. 

Readmission Request

• Eligibility: Applies if you wish to return to Laurier after being required to withdraw. 
• Requirements: Complete the necessary academic upgrading.
  • Laurier offers two pathways for readmission. See "Undergraduate Readmission Request Pathways" for more information.
• Form: Complete the Request for Readmission: Arts, Science, Liberal Arts, Human and Social Sciences

The following pathways are only for the Readmission Request readmission process.

Pathway 1: Strategies for Academic Success (SAS)

Strategies for Academic Success (SAS) supports a smooth transition back to your studies, by offering a two-semester pathway to complete the academic upgrading required for readmission. You will be granted conditional readmission on advising support probation with limited registration. Upon successful completion, you may resume full-time or part time studies while on readmission probation. Note, failures are not permitted during the probation period.

Pathway 2: Academic Upgrading at Another Postsecondary Institution

Courses may not be taken at Laurier and must not cover previously taken material. Business courses will not be approved.

• Requirements: Successful completion of either: 
  
  • Two pre-approved academic college courses with a minimum of grade A- (80%) or
  • Two pre-approved university courses with a minimum grade of B- (70%) or better. 
• Steps: 
  1. Pre-Approval: Obtain pre-approval for academic upgrading courses. 
     
     • Form: Complete the Academic Upgrading: Request for Pre-Approval form. 
  2. Official Transcript: Arrange for an official transcript to be sent to Enrolment Services at least 30 days prior to the term start. 
     • Address: Wilfrid Laurier University, Enrolment Services: Records, 75 University Ave. W, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5
     • Email: records@wlu.ca 
  3. Reapply for Readmission: Submit the readmission request form at least 30 days prior to the term start. 
     
     • Form: Complete the Request for Readmission form. 
     • Include: 
       • A one-page statement letter outlining reasons for previous academic performance, preparedness for success and activities or work experiences since last attendance. 
       • Supporting documentation, if applicable, such as medical documentation. 

Terms of Readmission

• Probation: Placed on academic probation in the general degree program. 
• Advisor meeting: Strongly recommended before course registration. 
• Requirements: 
  • Within two years, complete 2.0 credits and attain a 5.0 (C) GPA. 
  • Limited to part-time registration of 1.0 credit per term. 
  • Readmission probation continues until you complete a minimum of 4.0 credits.  
  • Failures are not permitted during the probation period. 
  • Must meet all program requirements as listed in the undergraduate academic calendar. 

If you have withdrawn from your graduate program and are considering readmission, follow these steps. 

Requesting Readmission Within One Year

If you withdrew and were in good standing, you may request readmission within one year without completing application forms or paying application fees. 

Requesting Readmission After One Year

If more than one year has elapsed since the withdrawal date, a new application for admission is required. 

Failure to Register or Obtain Approved Leave

Students who fail to register or be granted an approved leave will be deemed to have terminated their candidacy and must reapply. 

Application Requirements for Readmission

1. Application fee. 
   • Pay any applicable application fees. 
2. Proposed schedule. 
   • Include a letter indicating a proposed schedule for completing all degree requirements. 
3. Interview. 
   • Agree to be interviewed by representatives of the graduate program. 

Terms of Readmission

• Course work: There is no guarantee of readmission. Students may be required to complete additional course work as a condition of readmission. 
• Funding eligibility: You should consult with your program about graduate student funding eligibility, where applicable.