Ready to Submit Your Exceptional Withdrawal Application?
Suggestions
- Students are encouraged to withdrawal from all courses for which they wish to pursue an Exceptional Withdrawal.
- Students are encouraged to apply for an Exceptional Withdrawal Appeal before the withdrawal deadline for the semester. If the withdrawal deadline has passed, students are encouraged to apply for an Exceptional Withdrawal Appeal before the end of the semester.
- Students should submit an Exceptional Withdrawal application FIRST and then provide additional documentation (provider letter(s), Instructor Feedback Form(s), etc.
- Remember to check your UNF email account often; you will be notified of any requests for additional information and any outcomes via your UNF email account.
Steps to Apply
- Complete the online Exceptional Withdrawal Application
- Submit a physician's letter as outlined below.
- Have your instructor complete the Instructor Feedback Form
Required Information From Medical Professional Physician Or Medical Professional’s Letter
Medical provider documentation should be prepared on letterhead, typed, dated and bear the signature of the evaluator. Please make sure the documentation includes the name, title, contact information, and professional credentials of the evaluator, and information below regarding the reasons for the petition. Your provider needs to comment on the symptoms you had and the treatment you received during the semester of your medical withdrawal request. Exceptional Withdrawals for psychiatric/mental health reasons are to come from a licensed mental health professional (i.e., a psychiatrist, mental health counselor, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or nurse practitioner with certification in the area).
To Medical Professional/Provider:
In order to consider a student for an Exceptional Withdrawal, a signed letter on your letterhead is needed. Please address all the following information in your letter. Please specify what your patient experienced during the time period associated with their medical withdrawal.
- Patient’s full name and identification (DOB)
- Dates of onset of symptoms
- Diagnosis and/or severity of patient’s symptoms (if no diagnosis, please thoroughly explain patient's symptoms within impacted semester)
- Severity/impact of symptoms on their functioning (including their ability to function academically during the documented time) and the medical reason why the student could not finish the semester.
- This is one of the most important pieces of information and will assist us in making decisions to grant an Exceptional Withdrawal.
- Treatment received and dates of treatment.
- If applicable, are there any concerns/history regarding the patient’s safety/well-being and whether they are a danger to themselves or others.
- Recommendations for future treatment.
- If this is a chronic illness or the result of injury, have the health limitations been resolved? For example, are there any concerns that the student could have a reoccurrence or exacerbation of the illness if they return to classes?
- Recommendations regarding your patient’s return to school.
- Do you recommend a reduced course load or is your patient ready to return to a full course load?
- Do you recommend your patient to continue treatment when they return to school? What is the extent of that treatment?
- Do you recommend any educational accommodations upon your patient’s return?
You may fax the letter to the Dean of Students Office at (904) 620-3922 or email it to deanofstudents@unf.edu. Please feel free to give us a call at (904) 620-1491 if you have any questions. Thank you for your assistance.