Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

For a complete list of first-year admission criteria, please refer to siue.edu/policies/table-of-contents/1e1.shtml. Priority consideration for admission will be given to students whose applications are complete by the priority filing date. Applications received after the priority date will be considered as space is available. Applications completed after the final application deadline may not be considered for admission.

Application Procedures for First-Year Students

The quickest and easiest way to apply and pay the application fee is online at siue.edu/apply. You may obtain a paper admission application by printing one from siue.edu/apply. If you are a high school senior or if you graduated from high school within the last five years, request an official high school transcript. ACT or SAT test scores are optional. If you are attending high school, the transcript must show at least six semesters of coursework. A final transcript reflecting all high school coursework and graduation verification also must be requested after completion of high school. ACT or SAT scores that appear on the high school transcript are acceptable.

If you graduated from high school five or more years before applying to SIUE, you must request an official high school transcript showing graduation verification. Applicants who have passed the GED test must have the regional superintendent of schools or appropriate state office send an official copy of the scores to SIUE. To be considered official, all documents (high school transcripts, GED scores, ACT/SAT scores, and college/university transcripts) must be mailed to the Office of Admissions, Box 1047, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026-1047, by the office or institution that issues the document. Faxed documents are not accepted. In addition, SIUE accepts electronic transcripts submitted through various electronic transcript services. In addition, electronic transcripts can also be sent to [email protected] directly from the institution. If a transcript is received through this account from a student, it will not be considered official.

For International students, academic records must be originals or certified copies with the original seal of the issuing institution, or Ministry of Education, signed by an appropriate authority and in a stamped and sealed envelope. Originals or certified copies of these records must be in the institution's original language and must be accompanied by officially certified English translations. Notarized copies of credentials are not considered official.  Students may also be required to provide examination scores or a copy of their diploma.  Please visit siue.edu/admissions/international/apply for additional information.

Non-Traditional First-Year Students — General Education Development (GED) Test

Applicants without a high school diploma must have completed and passed the General Education Development (GED) test, which includes passing the state and federal constitutions. Applicants also must:

• correct any English, mathematics or reading deficiencies as indicated by SIUE placement tests, and
• complete at least one, 3-semester-hour course in each of the following areas: science, social sciences, and foreign language, music, art, theater, dance or speech communication.

Courses must be selected from breadth general education courses numbered below 300. These courses must be completed with a passing grade or the applicant must achieve a minimum grade of C on a proficiency examination. Courses taken to meet this additional course requirement will not carry credit toward general education or major/minor requirements. Credit will be awarded as general elective credit toward graduation, i.e. elective credits not required by the major and/or minor.

For complete transfer admission criteria, please refer to siue.edu/policies/table-of-contents/1e1.shtml. Applicants are considered transfer students when they present coursework from regionally accredited two-year and four-year institutions, unless all hours were earned in college courses while still in high school. Students who have attempted at least 30 semester hours in courses at regionally accredited institutions post high school graduation are admissible in good standing, provided they have earned a minimum cumulative 2.00 (C) grade point average in such course work at the previous regionally accredited school(s) attended. Students who have attempted fewer than 30 semester hours in courses at regionally accredited institutions post high school graduation must satisfy the first-year admission criteria. Academic standing upon admission is determined as follows:

Good Standing

Students are admissible in good standing provided they have earned at least a cumulative 2.00 (C) grade point average in such course work at the previous regionally accredited school(s) attended and meet the admission criteria for entering first-year students.

Academic Warning

Students who have less than a cumulative 2.00 (C) grade point average in such course work at the previous regionally accredited school(s) attended, but have a minimum 2.00 (C) term grade point average in their last semester prior to admission are admissible on academic warning, provided they meet the admission criteria for entering first-year students.

Academic Probation

Students who have less than a cumulative 2.00 (C) grade point average in such course work at the previous regionally accredited school(s) attended and do not meet the criteria for academic warning are admissible on academic probation, provided they meet the admission criteria for entering first-year students.

The transfer average (i.e. the cumulative grade point average in all course work from all regionally accredited institutions previously attended) is used only in determining the applicant’s eligibility for admission. Once a student is admitted, the student’s SIUE record will reflect the total number of acceptable transfer credit hours (hours earned in transferable courses with grades of A, B, C, D, pass, satisfactory, etc.), but the grade point average will be calculated only for work completed at SIUE. Applicants wishing to be considered for admission as transfer students must complete their admission files at least four weeks before the beginning of the term for which admission is sought. For applicants with at least 30 semester hours of coursework as stipulated above, a complete file consists of an application for undergraduate admission, an official transcript from each institution previously attended, and the application fee. For applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours, a complete file consists of an application for undergraduate admission, an official transcript from each institution previously attended, credentials prescribed by the appropriate admission category for entering first-year students, and the application fee. (An official transcript must be sent by each institution directly to the Office of Admissions. All transcripts become the official property of the University and will not be returned or issued to another institution.) Questions about the acceptability of specific courses for admission and/or for transfer credit should be directed to the Office of Admissions.

Dual Admission Program

SIUE has established partnerships with various community colleges to establish dual admission programs for students planning to pursue a baccalaureate degree following attendance at the community college. This program is designed to provide a seamless transition between the community college and the University. Students pursuing transfer degrees or similar curricular paths at one of our partner schools may be eligible for the Dual Admission Program. A list of participating community colleges is available at the SIUE transfer website, siue.edu/transfer.

Students attending one of our partner community colleges should consider applying for dual admission. The following criteria will be reviewed to determine whether the program is the best option for those applying:

• Currently pursuing an AA, AS, equivalent transfer degree or the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) as outlined by the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)
• Fewer than 30 semester hours earned at the time of application
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Minimum of two semester remaining at the community college

Students interested in participating in the Dual Admission Program while enrolled at their participating community college must complete an SIUE Partnership Program application indicating the term they plan to attend SIUE. Admitted students receive an acceptance letter from the University with information necessary to access resources at SIUE. Students are encouraged to engage in selected activities to help them connect with the University. Students participating in the Dual Admission Program receive a waiver of SIUE’s admission application fee, ongoing automatic evaluation of transfer credit each semester, academic advisement as appropriate, and periodic program updates. At the end of each semester the community college will forward an official transcript to SIUE. Awarded transfer credit will be posted and available to the student on CougarNet. Additionally students may run degree audits to monitor progress toward their intended undergraduate degree program.

Pathway Program (2 + 2) Agreement

Community college students who plan to pursue specific majors at SIUE may benefit from pathway programs. These agreements allow students to follow a specific curriculum while attending their first two years at the community college, then transferring into their intended major at SIUE. These programs allow students to efficiently progress toward completion of a bachelor’s degree program. For programs that offer competitive admission at SIUE, pathway programs ensure that transfer students are as prepared as SIUE students to compete for admission. A list of pathway programs is available from the SIUE transfer website, siue.edu/transfer.

Students interested in participating in a pathway program while enrolled at their community college must complete a SIUE Partnership Program application indicating the term they plan to attend SIUE. Admitted students receive an acceptance letter from the University containing information necessary to access resources at SIUE. Students are encouraged to engage in selected activities to help them connect with the university. Students participating in this program receive a waiver of SIUE’s admission application fee, ongoing automatic evaluation of transfer credit each semester, academic advisement as appropriate, and periodic program updates. SIUE participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative. More information is available online at siue.edu/transfer.

Students requiring an F or J visa to study in the U.S. will be processed through the Office of Graduate and International Admissions.  In addition, applicants with foreign academic credentials, and applicants whose first language is not English will have their credentials evaluated by this office and the Transfer Center. Inquiries should be directed to the office at [email protected]. Additional information is available online at siue.edu/admissions/international.

Students holding or requiring F-1 (Student) Visas are expected to satisfy appropriate academic requirements and demonstrate English language proficiency for admission purposes. In addition, acceptable evidence of adequate financial resources is required to receive an I-20 immigration document. Applicants with U.S. educational credentials will be reviewed for academic eligibility under the same standards applied to domestic students, but these applicants will be required to provide acceptable evidence of adequate financial resources to receive an I-20 immigration document or to transfer their SEVIS record to SIUE.

Standard reference materials published by recognized organizations such as (but not limited to) the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and the NAFSA: Association of International Educators will be used as guidelines to evaluate foreign academic credentials for academic eligibility, and level of placement. Applicants who are seeking university-level transfer credit for courses completed at an institution outside the United States may be required to have their transcripts evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service such as World Education Service (WES) – wes.org, or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE) – ece.org. SIUE will use this evaluation of credit as a guideline and SIUE reserves the right to award appropriate credit. F-1 and J-1 applicants whose recognized first language is not English must provide acceptable verification of their English language proficiency. Verification must be on file by the appropriate deadline stated below. Details are found under the heading “Applicants Whose First Language Is Not English.”

All F-1 and J-1 applicants must submit to the Office of Graduate and International Admissions proof of adequate financial resources. Financial arrangements must be approved by the appropriate deadline below. Questions about financial matters should be directed to the Office of Admissions. F-1 applicants applying from abroad must observe the following admission application file completion deadlines:

International Deadlines Fall: June 1; Spring: November 1

Health Insurance Requirement

In support of immigration requirements for F-1 and J-1 visa holders, SIUE requires that international students purchase and maintain coverage with a University approved international student insurance plan for the duration of their studies at SIUE. Students who do not maintain this coverage will be blocked from registration. Regulations (22.C.F.R. § 62.14) state that J-1 students and their dependents must have adequate coverage for the duration of their studies in the United States. Federal regulations require F-1 students to verify adequate funds for living expenses, and such living expenses should include health insurance. All F-1 and J-1 students are required to enroll in the SIUE-approved student insurance plan or a comparable plan that has been approved in advance by the university's health services department and meets or exceeds the insurance requirements in the SIUE policy.

Insurance requirements apply both to J-1 and F-1 students. No exceptions will be made. All exchange students (J-1 and J-2) are required to have sickness and accident insurance and medical evacuation and repatriation insurance in effect for the duration of their exchange visitor status. A written copy of the policy in English must be provided to SIUE Health Service. A representative from Health Service will be scheduled to speak to the international students during their orientation week to inform students about insurance policy requirements and procedure.

Applicants with Foreign Academic Credentials

Standard reference materials published by recognized organizations such as (but not limited to) the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and the NAFSA: Association of International Educators will be used as guidelines to evaluate foreign academic credentials for academic eligibility, level of placement. Applicants who are seeking university-level transfer credit for courses completed at an institution outside the United States may be required to have their transcripts evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service such as World Education Service (WES) — wes.org, or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc (ECE) — ece.org. SIUE will use this evaluation of credit as a guideline and SIUE reserves the right to award appropriate credit. Applicants are responsible for making all appropriate arrangements for providing official academic records attesting to all secondary and post-secondary education. Credentials not available in English must be submitted with an original and an attested translation from the same institution as the original. University-level academic work will be considered for transfer of credit as appropriate. Secondary and post-secondary school transcripts of applicants’ academic records (including certification of graduation and the title of the diploma or certificate awarded when appropriate) must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Each transcript must bear the official’s signature and the school’s official seal. Photocopies of educational records and documents are acceptable only if they bear an original certification of authenticity from the issuing school or examination board. Notarized copies of educational records and documents and other exceptions to the above-stated foreign academic credentials policy will be considered only when recommended by recognized organizations such as AACRAO and NAFSA.

The University reserves the right to verify the authenticity of applicants’ academic records with the issuing institutions.

Undergraduate application materials for students whose first language is not English include a detailed explanation of procedures and required credentials and fees, and are available online at siue.edu/admission/international. Materials will be sent upon request. F-1 applicants must complete their admission application by the deadline stated in the section on “Students Holding or Requiring F-1 Visas.” Other applicants must complete their admission application no later than the published deadline for the semester in which they plan to begin coursework.

Applicants Whose First Language is Not English

All students with F-1 or J-1 visas and/or foreign academic credentials whose first language is not English must demonstrate in advance of admission adequate English language proficiency. English language proficiency must be verified in one of the following ways:

• Applicants may sit for either the International Testing Program of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Special Center Testing Program of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and have an official score report sent directly to the Office of Admissions. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 72 (iTB). The IELTS acceptable band range is 6.0. Applicants may submit scores from another recognized testing service as long as the scores can be documented as being equal to or greater than the required IELTS or TOEFL score. SIUE reserves the right to determine if scores from testing services other than IELTS or TOEFL will be accepted. 
• Applicants may sit for an English language proficiency test chosen and approved by SIUE, and administered on campus at SIUE. Similar tests administered at another institution will not be accepted.
• Applicants may submit a properly certified copy of their General Certificate of Education administered by a British testing agency showing a grade of A, B, or C in the subject English Language. Recognized equivalent examinations also will be considered.
• Applicants may submit academic records certifying that they have graduated from a recognized secondary school, college or university at which English is the exclusive language of instruction and is located in a primarily English-speaking country. A list of approved countries can be found on the international admission website.
• Applicants may submit academic records certifying that they have completed courses totaling at least six semester hours equivalent to English 101 (English Composition I) and English 102 (English Composition II) with earned grades of C or better at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. 

Applicants who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent and wish to take undergraduate courses for credit, but who are not interested in pursuing a baccalaureate degree at SIUE, may be admitted to the University as a visiting student. These students must submit an application to be a visiting student. Students admitted as a visiting student will be allowed to enroll in undergraduate courses for which they have met the prerequisites. Applicants still in high school may be considered by the Director of Undergraduate Admissions for admission as visiting students. Applicants wishing to be considered for admission as visiting students must complete their admission files at least four weeks before the beginning of the term for which admission is sought.  Students in this category are not eligible to receive financial aid. However, if a visiting student is pursuing a degree at another post-secondary institution, the student may be eligible for VA benefits. Students wishing to apply for VA benefits will need to submit appropriate documentation confirming their degree-seeking status at a parent institution.  International students wishing to attend SIUE as a visiting student must be nominated through their home university and earlier deadlines may apply.

Students in this category may not accumulate more than 30 semester hours of credit at the University. If a student who has accumulated 30 semester hours of credit wishes to continue enrollment at SIUE, he/she must apply to the University as a degree-seeking student and satisfy appropriate criteria. Continued enrollment will not be permitted until the student satisfies admission criteria or appeals to the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. Applicants previously denied admission in degree-seeking categories are not admissible as visiting students.

Change of Admission Status

Students wishing to change from visiting to undergraduate degree-seeking status must submit an application by the posted deadline and meet the appropriate admission criteria. Performance in courses completed at SIUE will be considered in the admission process. Students are also required to apply for a change in immigration status and may need to return to their home country to obtain an updated visa.

First-year students entering in the fall term will attend New Student Orientation, a mandatory program designed for students and family members to help jump-start the university experience. This program includes academic advisement, course registration and information about the resources for success available at SIUE.

Entering transfer students are encouraged to attend Transfer Orientation. This program does not include academic advising or course registration. Students must schedule an advising appointment by contacting the appropriate office (siue.edu/advising).

International students are required to attend an international student orientation before beginning classes.  More information is available at siue.edu/isss/arrival.

All students, except visiting students, must meet with an academic advisor before registration. During this advising session, a registration hold will be released that allows access to web registration via CougarNet. It is important that you plan your schedule appropriately, ensuring that all prerequisites and class restrictions have been satisfied prior to enrollment. Prerequisites and class restrictions may be reviewed in the class schedule published through CougarNet. To avoid unnecessary problems with enrollment, please follow these guidelines:

• Meet with an advisor early in the semester.
• Have your registration hold released.
• Ensure that you have cleared any additional holds that may be on your record.
• Ensure that prerequisites and class restrictions are satisfied.
• Obtain approval to enroll when necessary.
• Register early in the registration period.
• Obtain your billing information through CougarNet.
• Make payment by the due date.

Registrations may be canceled by the University for academic, disciplinary or financial reasons. While the University reserves the right to cancel students for administrative reasons, it is the student’s responsibility to drop classes in which enrollment is no longer desired. Schedule changes may be made online through the Sunday preceding the first day of the term.

Students are expected to register before the term begins. It is advisable to register as early as possible to ensure sufficient space availability in desired classes. Beginning with the first day of the term, students will be assessed a non-refundable $25 late registration fee. No registrations will be accepted after the second week of the semester.

Some entering undergraduate students should take standardized tests to help the University better understand their academic abilities and needs. The tests serve two purposes: first, they assess each student’s skills in mathematics, writing, and/or reading in order to identify coursework that would be appropriate; second, by identifying the educational skills of those entering its classes the University can assess the quality of education it provides for its students.

For first-time, first-year students and for transfer students, placement into all mathematics, English, reading, and academic development courses is based on satisfactory performance (grades of C or better) in mathematics and English courses completed elsewhere or placement tests where evidence of satisfactory performance is absent. Placement into English and academic development writing and reading courses is also based on ACT/SAT scores. Students who do not take the placement tests are placed in the course for which they qualify based on ACT/SAT subject scores or coursework. The chemistry readiness examination is required if you plan to major in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, environmental sciences, exercise science, medical technology, physics, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-veterinary medicine, or pre-pharmacy unless you have taken a college general chemistry course equivalent to CHEM 121A at SIUE or scored a 23 or above on the math portion of the ACT test.

High School Students (coursework before graduation from high school) Capable high school students will be permitted to enroll as visiting students for University courses to be taken concurrently with their senior year of high school work. These students must meet the high school admission requirements for first-year students and are subject to review by the Director of Undergraduate Admissions. A letter of support written by the high school principal or guidance counselor is required. The Director of Undergraduate Admissions also may consider applications from exceptionally capable students who have not yet completed their junior year of high school. Students admitted through the early admission program must submit a final high school transcript after completion of high school. The final transcript must reflect their graduation date.

Non-Traditional First-Year Students — General Education Development (GED) Test

Applicants without a high school diploma must have completed and passed the General Education Development (GED) test, which includes passing the state and federal constitutions. Applicants also must:

• correct any English, mathematics or reading deficiencies as indicated by SIUE placement tests, and
• complete at least one, 3-semester-hour course in each of the following areas: science, social sciences, and foreign language, music, art, theater, dance or speech communication.

Courses must be selected from Breadth general education courses numbered below 300. These courses must be completed with a passing grade or the applicant must achieve a minimum grade of C on a proficiency examination. Courses taken to meet this additional course requirement will not carry credit toward general education or major/minor requirements. Credit will be awarded as general elective credit toward graduation, i.e. elective credits not required by the major and/or minor.

Former students who have not attended SIUE for one calendar year (i.e., registered and paid fees) must apply for re-admission. Readmission criteria for former students are:

• Students who were in good standing during their last attendance will be admitted with the same class/college/major. Students desiring to change majors on the application for readmission, or who previously were admitted to programs that are no longer available, shall be readmitted with an exploratory major. These students may request a new major through the advisement process and must meet the entrance requirements for that program.
• Students whose academic standing was warning or probation will be readmitted with the same standing. These students will be readmitted with an exploratory major.
• Students whose academic standing was suspension during their last attendance will be admitted with an exploratory major on academic probation, provided the student has not had more than one suspension. Such students must receive academic counseling and advising before enrolling in classes and must adhere to the agreed upon plan of action developed with their advisor.
• Students who have had two academic suspensions must seek approval for readmission from the Suspension Appeals Committee. Students will not be allowed to re-enter the University without approval from this committee.
• Students who have been academically suspended three times are ineligible to return to the University.

Academic Forgiveness

Former SIUE undergraduate students may have the option of being treated as transfer students for the purpose of calculating their SIUE grade point average after re-entry if they have been absent from SIUE for six years (from the last term of enrollment) and have:

• successfully completed 30 baccalaureate-oriented semester hours at an accredited institution of higher education; or have
• completed an associate of arts, associate of science, or associate of science and arts degree at an accredited institution of higher education.

Registration generally is available to students by the end of March for summer and fall terms and by the end of October for the spring term. Specific registration schedules are published on the Registrar’s website at siue.edu/registrar.

New Student Registration

Entering first-year students will attend New Student Orientation, a mandatory program designed for students and family members to help jump-start the university experience. This program includes academic advisement, course registration and information about the resources for success available at SIUE. Entering transfer students are encouraged to attend Transfer Orientation. This program does not include academic advising or course registration. Students must schedule an advising appointment by contacting the appropriate office (siue.edu/advising). During this advising session, an advising hold is removed to grant access to Web registration. It is important that you plan your schedule appropriately, ensuring that all prerequisites and class restrictions have been satisfied before enrollment. Prerequisites and class restrictions may be reviewed in the class schedule published through CougarNet. To avoid problems with enrollment, please follow these guidelines:

• Meet with an advisor.
• Retain your Enrollment PIN until the term begins.
• Ensure that you have cleared any holds that may be on your record.
• Ensure that prerequisites and class restrictions are satisfied.
• Obtain approval to enroll when necessary.
• Register early in the registration period.
• Obtain your billing information through CougarNet.
• Make payment by the due date.

Registrations may be canceled by the University for academic, disciplinary or financial reasons. While the University reserves the right to cancel students for administrative reasons, it is the student’s responsibility to drop classes in which enrollment is no longer desired. Schedule changes may be made online through the Friday before the first day of the term. Students are expected to register before the term begins. It is advisable to register as early as possible to ensure space in desired classes. Beginning with the first day of the term, students will be assessed a non-refundable $25 late registration fee. No registrations will be accepted after the second week of the semester.

Changes in Registration

Students may make changes to their class schedule online via Web registration in CougarNet or in the Service Center, Rendleman Hall, room 1309, or in the unit in which the student originally registered, through the Friday before the first day of class. Beginning with the first day of the term, all schedule changes must be processed by the Service Center staff. The change is official only when this procedure is complete.

Students are officially registered for only those courses and sections appearing on their registration documents, and as modified by official changes they have made with their advisor. Students may add classes using CougarNet provided class prerequisites and restrictions have been satisfied, an enrollment (alternate) PIN has been obtained and, if appropriate, the student does not have any holds. In addition, students may process changes in the Service Center using a signed registration or add/drop form. All schedule changes should be confirmed using CougarNet.

Adding Classes

Effective the first day of the term, all undergraduate classes are considered “closed.” Students who want to add a class after the first day must obtain the instructor’s approval. This permission to gain admission to the class generally will be given on the registration form or via SIUE email, which must be processed by the Service Center staff in Rendleman Hall, room 1309, or at [email protected] for processing by the end of the first week of classes. After the first week, approval of the department chair is also needed to add a class. The only classes that may be added after the second week are those that start after the end of the second week, including workshops and independent reading classes. Exceptions must be approved by the appropriate dean and the registrar. If students add classes that increase the amount of tuition and fees they are required to pay, the procedure is handled in one of two ways: 1. If tuition and fees have not been paid, a new tuition calculation is completed to reflect the increased amount. 2. If tuition and fees have been paid, the additional hours will generate a new tuition cost for that term, and the students will receive an additional e-bill in most cases.

Dropping Classes

After the first day of the term, students who need to drop a course must do so by notifying the Service Center. Students may drop a course within the following guidelines by submitting a completed add/ drop form with authorizations as appropriate to [email protected]. Students dropping a full-term course during weeks 1-2 will receive a refund of tuition and fees for the class. After week 2, students remain financially responsible for all tuition and fees with no refund given. Students dropping all classes for the term should refer to the section titled “Withdrawing from the University.”

Fall and Spring Semesters

• Weeks 1-2 — Students may drop a class without permission of the instructor and have no entry on the transcript.
• Weeks 3-10 — Students may drop a class without permission of the instructor. A grade of “W” automatically is assigned.
• Weeks 11-13 — Students may drop a class only with approval of the instructor and advisor; a grade of “WP” or “WF” must be assigned by instructor; “WF” is computed in the GPA as an “F.”
• After Week 13 — No class may be dropped; a grade other than “W,” “WP,” or “WF” must be assigned by the instructor.

Summer Term

• Weeks 1-2 — Students may drop a class without permission of the instructor and have no entry on the transcript.
• Weeks 3-5 — Students may drop a class without permission of the instructor. A grade of “W” automatically is assigned.
• Weeks 6-8 — Students may drop a class only with approval of the instructor and advisor; a grade of “WP” or “WF” must be assigned by instructor; “WF” is computed in the GPA as an “F.”
• After Week 8 — No class may be dropped; a grade other than “W,” “WP,” or “WF” must be assigned by the instructor.

Different deadlines apply to weekend, short-term classes and workshops scheduled in non-traditional formats. Contact the Service Center for information or visit the registrar’s website, siue.edu/registrar. Absence from class does not constitute dropping a class or withdrawing from the University, so you must follow these instructions to avoid the assignment of failing grades. Faculty may request that students who fail to meet attendance requirements be removed from class. Because students who drop all classes are considered to be withdrawing from the University for that term, that transaction must be initiated according to the procedure below.

Withdrawing from the University

Students who need to withdraw from the University during any term must initiate official withdrawal procedures in the Service Center, Rendleman Hall, room 1309. All withdrawals must be completed by the end of the 13th week of classes during fall and spring, and by the end of the 8th week for summer full-term classes. Different deadlines apply to short-term classes or workshops scheduled in non-traditional formats. Questions about withdrawal deadlines should be directed to the Service Center. A 100 percent refund of tuition and fees (except the late registration fee) is possible only if withdrawal and refund requests are officially completed within the first two weeks of the term. All textbooks or library materials on loan must be returned before a withdrawal is considered effective and a refund is approved.

Tuition and Fee Refund

Withdrawals generally must be completed by the end of the 8th week of classes. Different deadlines apply to short-term classes or workshops scheduled in non-traditional formats. Questions about withdrawal deadlines should be directed to the Service Center or the Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach as noted above. A 100 percent refund of tuition and mandatory fees (including the Student-to-Student Grant fee but excluding the late registration fee) is possible only if withdrawal and refund requests are officially completed within: 

• the first 2 weeks of the term for a course that lasts 8 weeks or more; 
• the first week of the term for a course that lasts at least 4 weeks, but less than eight weeks; or 
• the 1st class meeting for a course that lasts less than 4 weeks.

All textbooks or library materials on loan must be returned before a withdrawal is considered effective and a refund is approved. A partial refund of 50 percent of tuition shall be given if the student’s withdrawal from the University is processed after the dates outlined above, and before the deadlines outlined below:

• the last day of the 4th week for a course that lasts 8 weeks or more;
• the last day of the 2nd week for a course that lasts at least 4 weeks, but less than 8 weeks;
• the 4th class meeting for a course that lasts at least 11 days, but less than 4 weeks;
• the 2nd class meeting for a course that lasts 10 days or less.
• Students enrolled in courses lasting longer than 8 weeks and who receive a partial refund of tuition shall be given a 100 percent refund of mandatory student fees if they officially withdraw from the university by the last day of the third week.

For all other students who receive a partial refund of tuition, no mandatory fees shall be refunded. Students who receive a partial refund of tuition shall be assessed an administrative fee of $100. No tuition or mandatory fees shall be refunded after the deadlines stated above except for students entering military service for six months or longer, or students in grave circumstances who demonstrate to the satisfaction of the chancellor or the chancellor’s designee that, for reasons beyond their control, the students are unable to continue their educational program. Nothing in this policy shall preclude the chancellor from complying with any applicable state or federal law or regulation.

Students receiving notification of academic suspension after completing registration for the next term automatically will be withdrawn from the University.

Students who already have paid tuition and fees for the next term must contact the Service Center to initiate a refund. Please consult the Registrar’s website at siue.edu/registrar for withdrawal and refund deadlines. Students who receive Title IV Financial Aid (Pell, SEOG, Direct and/ or Perkins Loans), and withdraw completely are subject to the federal Return of Title IV Funds policy. According to Return of Title IV Funds policy, students earn their financial aid on the basis of the portion of the semester that is completed. The University also earns a portion of the financial aid. Aid that is determined to be unearned by the student and/or University must be returned to the appropriate Title IV program. Students who are subject to Return of Title IV funds will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office and informed of the impact of withdrawing under this policy, as well as the amount of any balance owed to the University after unearned aid has been returned.