Withdrawal & Hiatus

What is the difference between a withdrawal and a hiatus?

Withdrawal

Whitworth defines a withdrawal from the university as a formal process in which a student decides to discontinue their enrollment and permanently leave the institution. To withdraw officially from Whitworth University, a student must complete the withdrawal form and submit it for processing. The student will then lose access to Self-Service and their Whitworth email accounts. All classes currently registered for by the student will be dropped, and a corresponding grade (if applicable) will be given.

Please note that students can drop a specific course or courses without withdrawing from and ceasing their relationship with the university. Please see your academic advisor or the office of the university registrar for more information on how to drop/withdrawal from a course.

Hiatus 

Students who have completed at least one semester at Whitworth are eligible to take a leave of absence for up to one academic year and to return without reapplying for admission. This leave, known as a hiatus, allows students to maintain their access to Self-Service and their Whitworth email accounts while they are away. If a hiatus is initiated, all classes currently registered for by the student will be dropped and a corresponding grade (if applicable) will be given.

Withdrawal & Hiatus Processes

Traditional Undergraduate Day Students

1. Schedule a meeting by emailing exitinterview@whitworth.edu. A staff member will then reach out to set up a time to connect. (Whitworth staff will reply within two business days.) Responses to meeting requests will only be sent during business hours. 
2. If, during your meeting, you decide to pursue a hiatus or withdrawal, your next stop will be the financial aid office to have them sign your withdrawal/hiatus form, which you will receive at your meeting. You can also schedule a meeting with financial aid by emailing finaid@whitworth.edu.
3. Once these steps are complete, turn your form in at the office of the university registrar (open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.). Please note that a withdrawal/hiatus only takes effect once the withdrawal/hiatus form has been turned in to the office of the university registrar.

Whitworth Online & Graduate Students

Complete the online withdrawal and hiatus form.

1. Log into Pirate Port.
2. Click on Forms and Resource List.
3. In the Registrar section, click Withdrawal/Hiatus Request.

Returning From Hiatus

While on hiatus, student retain their access to their university email and Self-Service accounts. As registration approaches for their return term, students will begin receiving communication regarding the return and registration processes. A Hiatus Return Checklist is also available to help students navigate important steps in the return process.