If students are experiencing significant extenuating circumstances that prevent them from meeting the normal expectations of a student, they may be eligible for a hardship withdrawal.

Typical reasons for a hardship withdrawal include but are not limited to family or personal emergencies, the serious illness or injury of a family member, serving as a caretaker, significant financial distress, extended bereavement, etc.

Our DU Cares team is here to assist students through every step of the hardship withdrawal process, from the point of considering a potential withdrawal and along the pathway back to Denison. Our DU Cares team can help advise students on the withdrawal process, talk through types of needed documentation, and connect students with important university partners. As always, we welcome outreach by email (ducares@denison.edu), phone (740-587-6765), and/or in-person (121 Higley Hall).

Eligibility

A student is eligible for a hardship withdrawal when the following conditions have been met:

  • The student has experienced a significant extenuating circumstance that prevents them from meeting the normal expectations of a student.
  • The student requires a period of time away from Denison to address/manage the extenuating circumstances.
  • The student’s request is completed prior to the last day of classes.
  • The student has third-party documentation (which may not be from a family member) verifying the circumstances leading to the request for hardship withdrawal.

Requests for hardship withdrawal must be complete, including all required documentation, by 4:30 p.m. on the last day of classes for the semester for which the hardship withdrawal is sought.

How to request a hardship withdrawal

Students must submit the request form online. As part of the request, students must include:

  • A personal statement that addresses why they are seeking a hardship withdrawal, describes their plans for time spent away from campus, including what they will do to address the circumstances leading to the withdrawal, and provides their planned timeline for return.
  • Third-party documentation regarding the reason for the withdrawal request. Documentation will vary based on the nature of the student’s situation but may not be provided by a parent or family member. Please consult DU Cares with documentation-related questions.
  • Grant permission for Student Life to consult with relevant Denison departments necessary for processing the hardship withdrawal request.

Upon receipt of a complete hardship withdrawal request

  • DU Cares staff will review and determine if the request meets the eligibility criteria. DU Cares staff may request additional information from the student and/or to meet with the student when needed to help inform a decision and best support the student.

If the request is approved

  • A member of the DU Cares staff will provide the student with notification of the decision by email and using their official Denison University email address.
  • The notification will include the effective date of withdrawal, any applicable conditions for return, and information about the return process, including deadlines.
  • The student will have five business days to confirm in writing that they wish to proceed with the withdrawal.

If the request is denied

  • A member of the DU Cares staff will provide the student with notification of the decision by email and using their official Denison University email address.
  • The notification will include a rationale for the denial and information about the appeal process.

If students do not return within the designated timeline without an approved extension, the withdrawal will convert to a general withdrawal and students will have to reapply for admission.