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University Registrar

Final Semester Underloads

As noted in the Undergraduate Catalog, undergraduate students at William & Mary are expected to remain enrolled full-time (12 credits during the fall and spring semesters) throughout their academic career. However, students in their final undergraduate term who have applied for graduation may enroll in fewer than 12 credits as long as they are enrolled in all courses required for their degree.

Students meeting these criteria who wish to underload must inform the degree manager in the University Registrar's Office by completing the request form linked below so that Banner adjustments can be made.

Eligibility to Request to Underload Through the University Registrar's Office

If you can answer YES to all of the following questions, you are eligible to request Banner adjustment to underload through the University Registrar's Office. If you answer NO to the following questions, you may petition through the Committee on Academic Status (CAS).

  1. Will this be your final undergraduate semester at W&M?
    • If you are graduating this semester but are remaining to take courses as a non-degree student or have been accepted to a graduate program or certificate, you would answer YES because you are graduating from your undergraduate program.
    • You would answer NO if you are not graduating from your undergraduate program (for example, leaving W&M before completing your degree or transferring to another school).
  2. Have you applied to graduate?
  3. Are you currently registered for all the courses you need to complete your degree program?
  4. Have you confirmed that your Degree Works indicates all your requirements will be met by the end of this semester?
How to Submit the Request Form
Collapsible and expandable table with underload request options and details
Underload Requests Before the End of the Add/Drop Period

Eligible students in their final semester should submit the request for Banner adjustment to underload once their schedule is finalized. A copy of the request will be sent to the student upon submission. The request form will be available each fall and spring semester until the add/drop period ends.

The University Registrar's Office will review the request and send the student an update on its status (processed or returned) to their W&M email address. Students should allow up to three business days for their request to be reviewed.

If the request is made before the end of add/drop, the unneeded classes can be dropped from the student's schedule. If the request is made during the withdrawal period, then the unneeded classes can be withdrawn for a grade of "W." (See "Underload Requests to Withdraw Below 12 Graded Credit Hours" below.) 

Students are urged to check with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Reves Center, Athletics, and other offices, as appropriate, to ensure that the underload will not have unintended consequences.

Spring 2025 FINAL SEMESTER REQUEST TO UNDERLOAD: FORM OPEN November 18 - January 31
Underload Requests to Withdraw Below 12 Graded Credit Hours

Eligible students in their final semester who wish to withdraw to an underload (fewer than 12 graded credits) should submit the request to the University Registrar's Office. A copy of the request will be sent to the student upon submission. The request form will be available each fall and spring semester during the withdrawal period.

The University Registrar's Office will review the request and send the student an update on its status (processed or returned) to their W&M email address. Students should allow up to three business days for their request to be reviewed.

If the request to withdraw to an underload is permitted, the unneeded classes can be withdrawn for a grade of "W." Requests cannot be processed after the withdrawal period, and late withdrawals require approval from CAS.

Students are urged to check with Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Reves Center, Athletics, and other offices, as appropriate, to ensure that withdrawing from an underload will not have unintended consequences.

Spring 2025 FINAL SEMESTER REQUEST TO WITHDRAW TO AN UNDERLOAD: FORM OPEN February 3 - March 24
Petitions to the Committee on Academic Status (CAS)

Students not eligible to underload through the University Registrar's Office process may petition for an exception to the Full-Time Status policy through the Committee on Academic Status (CAS). Questions about the CAS petition process? Contact the [[w|academicaffairs, Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs]].

Questions About Impacts on Tuition and Fees?

Any questions about tuition and fee charges should be directed to Student Accounts. 

Questions About the Process?

If you have questions about the process of underloading in your final undergraduate semester, please get in touch with the University Registrar's Office at [[w|degreeaudit]].