Important information you need to know about dropping courses. Effective 2007, section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code applies to first-time freshman students who enroll in a Texas public institution of higher education in the fall semester of 2007 or thereafter. High school students currently enrolled in DCCCD Dual Credit, Early College and Collegiate High School are waived from this requirement until they graduate from high school.
Based on this law, DCCCD or any other Texas Public institution of higher education may not permit students to drop more than six college level credit courses during their entire undergraduate career. All college-level courses dropped after the official drop and add period for the course are included in the six-course limit, including courses dropped at another Texas public institution of higher education, unless the student demonstrates to an appropriate college official that one of the following events occurred to the student during the semester or summer session:
- A severe illness or other debilitating condition that affects the student's ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
- The student's responsibility for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person if the provision of that care affects the student's ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
- The death of a person who is considered to be a member of the student's family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person's death is considered to be a showing of good cause.
- The active duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the armed forces of the United State of either the student or a person who is considered to be a member of the student's family or who is otherwise considered to have a sufficiently close relationship to the student that the person's active military service is considered to be a showing of good cause.
- The change of the student's work schedule that is beyond the control of the student, and that affects the student's ability to satisfactorily complete the course.
- Other good cause as determined by the college official.
Contact your college's counseling/advising office for further details related to exceptions.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board finalized its rules associated with this statute on October 25, 2007. Students affected by this law who plan to attend another institution of higher education should become familiar with that institution's policies on dropping courses.
To drop a class or withdraw from the college, you must follow the prescribed procedure. It is your responsibility as a student to drop or withdraw. Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually a grade of "F". Should circumstances prevent you from appearing in person to withdraw from the college, you may withdraw by the following:
- Mail to the registrar indicating which courses and by including a copy of your picture I.D., social security number or college I.D. number and signature;
- through the college online registration system
A drop/withdrawal request by any means must be received in the Registrar's Office by the official drop/withdrawal deadline. No drop or withdrawal requests are accepted by telephone.
If you drop a class or withdraw from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a "W" (Withdraw) in each class dropped. The deadline for receiving a "W" is indicated on the academic calendar and the current class schedule.
See Refund Policy for possible refund eligibility. Students who drop or withdraw should be aware of the course Repeat Policy.
