The university provides students with plentiful withdrawal options throughout the semester. As detailed in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the University Catalog, students may withdraw from individual full term courses with no notation on the academic record by the seventh day of the semester or with a W (Withdrawn) by the last day of classes of the semester. (Note – the last day of classes occurs before study day and final exams begin.) In addition to those individual course withdrawal options, students may withdraw from all courses (total term withdrawal) at any point in the semester up through the final regular day of classes.  

Students who appeal for retroactive withdrawal are appealing for the opportunity to withdraw from courses without having completed any of the withdrawal options described above. Since this represents a significant exception to the catalog, all retroactive withdrawal appeals must be accompanied by a personal statement and supporting documentation explaining the extenuating circumstances that were impacting the student during the semester and why they did not complete any of the proper withdrawal options during the semester. (An example of extenuating circumstances may include a form of incapacitation for physical and/or mental health reasons.) 

Individual Retroactive Withdrawal (WD) Appeal Guidelines: 

• Only grades of F, NC, or Incomplete (I) will be considered for appeal through individual course retroactive withdrawal.  
• All courses submitted for a retroactive WD appeal must have occurred within the same semester.  

• You may appeal for retroactive WD no more than once per career, regardless of the outcome of the appeal. The Committee will not review subsequent retroactive WD appeals.  
• Applications must be submitted within one calendar year of the semester in which the course(s) were taken. 
• Applications must be submitted before the undergraduate degree is conferred and at least 30 calendar days prior to your date of graduation. Once degrees are conferred, no changes can be made to a student’s academic history record.  
• Students are allowed six (6) career W’s until graduation. Each granted retroactive WD counts among those six. After the six are exhausted, no retro WD appeals will be considered.  
• If a granted appeal would put you below 12 credit hours for the term you are appealing, you are expected to discuss with One Stop how the appeal might affect your financial aid (grants, loans, and/or scholarships including the HOPE).  

 Total Term Retroactive Withdrawal (WD) Appeal Guidelines: 

• Students must have earned an F, NC, or Incomplete (I) in all courses taken during the semester. 
• Students may only include one semester for review in the appeal.   
• Students may appeal for retroactive WD no more than once per career, regardless of the outcome of the appeal. The Committee will not review subsequent retroactive total withdrawal appeals.  

• Applications must be submitted within one calendar year of the semester in which the course(s) were taken.  
• Applications must be submitted before the undergraduate degree is conferred and at least 30 calendar days prior to the date of graduation. Once degrees are conferred, no changes can be made to a student’s academic history record.  
• Students are allowed three (3) career total withdrawals until graduation. If granted, this retroactive total withdrawal would count towards those three. After three total withdrawals from the university, a student must sit out for both a fall and spring term. After sitting out, a student may apply for readmission. If readmission is granted, no additional total withdrawals will be allowed and earned grades will stand for all future terms.  
• Students are expected to contact One Stop to see how the appeal might affect their financial aid (grants, loans, and/or scholarships including the HOPE).  
• Students who are called to active military duty during a term of enrollment should contact the Veteran Success Center for assistance with total withdrawal from the university and readmission procedures. 

Retroactive withdrawal appeals are reviewed by the Appeals Committee, a subcommittee of the Undergraduate Council, and the Office of Financial Aid. The review process generally takes 3-4 weeks to complete. Once a decision has been made on an appeal, the student will be notified via their UTK email address. A decision rendered by the Appeals Committee is considered to be fair and final. 

If you have been academically dismissed from UT and want to appeal to return to take classes without sitting out the required dismissal period, you must submit a Dismissal Appeal. A Retroactive Withdrawal Appeal does not reverse an academic dismissal. 

An academic coach at the Academic Success Center can discuss with you your appeal options and the requirements necessary for submission. To set up an appointment with a coach, call 865-974-6641 and ask to speak with a coach about retroactive withdrawal. 

Download the Retroactive Withdrawal Form Here

If you are returning to UT following a first dismissal, you will need to clear or address any holds on your account and apply for readmission by the established deadlines, meeting the following firm deadlines:

• June 1 deadline for readmission for fall
• November 1 deadline for readmission for spring
• April 1 deadline for readmission for summer

If you are returning to UT following a second academic dismissal, you must meet the deadline for readmission above, and you must appeal for readmission by meeting the following criteria:

• Complete a minimum of 12 semester credits of academic coursework with at least a 2.50 cumulative grade point average from accredited institution(s) of higher education.
• Meet with the Undergraduate Council Appeals Committee to present evidence that you are capable of performing at the level required to meet university academic standards and can complete all degree requirements within a reasonable length of time.
• Contact the Student Success Center at 865-974-6641 two semesters prior to your proposed date of return, to discuss the timing for the appeals committee meeting.

The Appeals Committee serves as a standing subcommittee of the Undergraduate Council. Comprised of faculty, staff, and students, this committee is charged by the council to represent the highest level of shared governance with authority over most undergraduate academic appellate matters. An opinion rendered by the Appeals Committee is considered to be fair, thorough, and final.

Students seeking to appeal a grade must do so within ninety days of the posted grade, and should follow the procedures detailed in the University Catalog. Grade appeals not resolved at the levels of instructor, department, or college may be heard by the Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee serves as a standing subcommittee of the Undergraduate Council. Comprised of faculty, staff, and students, this committee is charged by the council to represent the highest level of shared governance with authority over most undergraduate academic appellate matters. An opinion rendered by the Appeals Committee is considered to be fair, thorough, and final.