Frequently Asked Questions (Eligibility)

UTA students may be eligible if they experience extraordinary circumstances that make it impossible to successfully complete coursework after the University drop deadline, but on or before the last day of final exams.

Eligibility is based on unforeseeable and significant events, including:

• Medical circumstances
• A significant, unforeseeable illness or injury
• A physical or mental health condition that unexpectedly worsens


• Compassionate circumstances (not related to the student’s own health and through no fault of the student)
• Extraordinary personal issues beyond the student’s control
• Examples include serious illness of an immediate family member, death in the immediate family, homelessness, natural disasters, or similar crises

Yes. To be eligible:

• The medical or compassionate issue must occur or significantly escalate after the University drop deadline, and
• The impact must occur on or before the last day of final exams for the affected course(s).

Generally, no. However, eligibility may exist if there is clear, documented evidence that:

• The condition or circumstance significantly and unforeseeably worsened after the drop deadline.

Explanation of difference:

• Medical or Compassionate Withdrawal
• Eligible when the circumstances prevent the student from completing all enrolled courses.


• Selective Course Load Reduction (SCLR)
• Eligible when the circumstances directly impact the student’s ability to complete the specific course(s), but not all courses.

Yes. Eligibility requires supporting documentation and/or personal statement that establishes:

• A clear timeline of the circumstances, and
• How the circumstances directly impacted academic performance during the semester for the course(s) in question.

Medical eligibility requires one of the following:

• A completed UTA Medical Documentation Form from a licensed provider, or


• A signed letter on official letterhead from a licensed medical or mental health provider detailing:
• The timeframe of the condition, and
• How it affected the student’s ability to complete coursework for the course(s) in question.

Compassionate eligibility requires:

• Relevant supporting documentation when available, or


• A detailed personal statement explaining the extraordinary circumstances when documentation is unavailable.
• If a personal statement is submitted without documentation, the student must meet with a staff member in the Office of the Dean of Students to determine eligibility.

Yes. Students are not eligible if:

• The course has a finding of responsibility for academic misconduct.
• The circumstances occurred before the drop deadline with no documented escalation after the drop deadline.
• Student has received a previously approved request.
• Required documentation is not submitted, or the application is left incomplete.
• Documentation submitted has been deemed falsified.

Generally, students are eligible for one Medical or Compassionate Withdrawal or SCLR during their UTA career. Exceptions may be considered only if:

• The second request is due to entirely unrelated circumstances, and
• The situation is deemed extraordinary by the Committee.

No. Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee approval. Each request is evaluated individually based on:

• Severity of circumstances,
• Timing,
• Documentation, and
• Impact on academic performance.

Yes. Students should continue attending and participating in classes as they are able until a final eligibility determination is made.