Dropping or Withdrawing from a Course

Withdrawing vs. Dropping a Course

There is a difference between dropping and withdrawing from a course.

Dropping a course

Dropping is only during a specified time during the beginning of the course (see Academic Calendar for specific dates) and after the drop occurs, the course will not appear on your transcript.

How to Drop

To drop the course prior to the semester starting, or within the first week of the semester, please login to MyOCC. To drop a course after the first week of the semester, please visit Student Central in the Gordon Student Center. 


Students must complete all required signatures and hand the form in to Student Central.

Withdrawing from a course

Withdrawing is when you remove yourself from a course after the first three weeks of classes (less time for half semester courses, see Academic Calendar for specific dates). A W will appear next to the course on your transcript and does not affect your GPA.

Important: The timing of the drop or withdrawal can impact your financial aid and/or financial responsibility to the College.

How to Withdraw

To withdraw from one or more courses, please visit Student Central in the Gordon Student Center. 


Students are required to meet with a financial aid representative to understand the impact dropping or withdrawing will have on their financial aid.

Please be aware that withdrawing may negatively impact the following:

  • Ability to live on campus: You must have at least 12 credits to stay eligible to live on campus in the residence halls. Contact Residence Life at 315-498-2351
  • Veteran’s benefits: Contact the Office of Veterans and Military Services at 315-498-2200
  • Athletics Eligibility: Speak with your athletic coach
  • International student status: Contact delanda@sunyocc.edu

If you would like to contact your Navigator in your School, please go to your School’s page and schedule an appointment: 4 Schools of Onondaga

Students who miss the deadline to withdraw due to extenuating circumstances can petition for a late withdrawal.

Further information on the impact of drops and withdrawals can be found in the Academic Rules section of the College Catalog.

Important: Students will not be withdrawn until the form contains all required signatures and is submitted to Student Central