Student Action Request

Student Action Requests (SAR) are used to request waivers from specific university, college, or school policies under unusual circumstances. Students can officially request a waiver from a published academic policy by completing a SAR. Before a SAR is submitted, students should seek advice from their academic advisor in an effort to resolve their issue of concern and determine if an official SAR is necessary. NOTE: If a SAR involves changing enrollment status, including dropping courses, the action may affect students' eligibility for financial aid.

How to Submit a Student Action Request

The following information must be included in all Student Action Requests. Requests lacking the required information will not be reviewed. Students should consult with their academic advisor before submitting a SAR. The SAR should then be submitted in person to the academic advisor or be sent as a Word document from the student's official NSU email account if they cannot meet in person.

• Student Name
• Student ID number
• Major/Program/Site Location
• Day/Evening Phone Number
• Mailing Address
• Email Address
• Problem: Provide an explanation of the problem and include any pertinent documentation as support.
• Action Requested: Provide an explanation of the requested action. Include the referring page in the current undergraduate student catalog for the policy in question or any other relevant information, including specific courses or terms.
• Prior Action Taken: Provide a list of all individuals contacted about the problem, including their departments.

Consequences of Enrollment Changes

Students should refer to the appropriate NSU Undergraduate Student Catalog sections for policies on drop/add periods, drop periods with refunds, and withdrawal from classes; and contact the appropriate office (i.e., Financial Aid, Bursar's Office, Loan Disbursing Office) to determine the exact nature of how changes will affect financial and academic standing.

Course Drops

During the drop and add periods, students may modify their schedule by changing classes without any further academic implications. However, even during the drop and add period, dropping a class may result in a tuition charge or impact a student’s financial aid. Students may withdraw from a class after the drop period has ended; however, the class will remain on the student’s permanent transcript. Dropping a course may result in a refund for tuition paid and will not negatively affect GPA. However, students need to be cautious because dropping classes may affect the student’s enrollment status and, therefore, eligibility for financial aid. If a student drops below half-time or full-time status, (whichever was the basis for financial aid awarded), which the student may become ineligible for grant aid, loans, and scholarships which had been awarded prior to the drop. This may cause a reduction in certain types of financial aid and, consequently, may result in a higher balance due. Students are considered half-time at 6–11 credits and full-time at 12 credits or above. Students receiving financial aid should consult a financial aid counselor before dropping or withdrawing from classes to ensure compliance with federal and state standards of academic progress. Student athletes should also contact the athletic compliance officer.

Course Withdrawals

Students may initiate a withdrawal from a course after the first two weeks from the start of the course. Students may withdraw from a course with no financial refund or credit up until the end of the week following the halfway point of the semester or term, depending on the course length. For example, students may withdraw up until the end of the fifth week of a term for an 8-week course or up until the end of the ninth week of a semester for a 16-week course. Withdrawn courses will remain on student transcripts with a notation of W, but will not affect the student’s GPA. There is no financial refund if a student withdraws from a course. Total credits attempted are not reduced by course withdrawals, nor does this action affect current term financial aid. Withdrawing from a course limits the number of possible credits earned, which may affect future required academic progress. Not attending classes does not constitute official withdrawal. A student who stops attending classes will receive grades based on course requirements and work completed. Withdrawals cannot be processed in WebSTAR; students who plan to withdraw from a course must notify their academic advisor. Withdrawal forms must be received and processed by academic divisions prior to withdrawal deadlines.

International Students

Changes in enrollment status may affect eligibility for student visas and immigration status.