When Unexpected Challenges Occur

Student Assistance works with students experiencing extenuating circumstances who may need to explore options available to them at the university.

Academic Exception Committee Petition

Examples of requests include, but are not limited to:

  • An additional semester of academic probation following academic dismissal
  • A backdated withdrawal from (year/semester) to W grading
  • A backdated withdrawal from (year/semester) to remove courses

The Academic Exceptions Committee (AEC) meets once per month during the academic year. Students are encouraged to meet with Nadia Daher in Student Assistance for help in understanding the process and preparing their petition. Ms. Daher is located in 109 Stratton Administration Center and can be reached at or 610-683-4169. Please meet with Nadia before submitting your petition.

Academic Exceptions Committee Petition

The Office of Student Assistance can assist you in this process by helping determine eligibility and making an email referral for you to connect with Nadia Daher.

Leave of Absence

A Leave of Absence (LOA) from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania allows students to take a temporary break from their studies; a leave of absence may be granted for one semester, with the possibility of renewal for a consecutive semester, upon approval of the Registrar, all while maintaining their status as a KU student. Eligible students include those in good academic standing who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and need time away for personal, medical, financial, or other reasons. Specific credit requirements apply. Contact the Registrar’s Office with questions.

A LOA ensures students can return to their studies without reapplying, providing a smooth transition back to campus when they are ready.

Please check with your advisor and financial aid to understand how a LOA may impact you. If you live on-campus, you have 48 hours after submitting this form to vacate your residence hall.

The Office of Student Assistance can support you in this process by providing guidance about the requirements for a LOA and connecting you with other offices to understand the implications of taking a LOA.

Withdrawal or Leave of Absence Form

Withdraw from a Course or the University

Withdrawing refers to one of the following scenarios:

  • Withdrawal from a course or courses, while staying enrolled in at least one credit for that term or session.
  • Withdrawal from the entire semester or session, or from KU completely.

All students considering withdrawing from a course or the semester who receive financial aid of any kind, should speak to Financial Aid to review the implications of the withdrawal. In many cases Financial Aid is reduced and returned to the lender. Students may owe Kutztown University for some of the remaining charges, they may owe a refund back that they received previously, or their withdrawal may impact future aid eligibility.

If you would like to withdraw from a course please send an email to from your Kutztown email including the following:

  • Your Name
  • Student ID #
  • Course Information
  • A statement asking us to withdrawal you from the class.

A confirmation will be sent to you once you have been withdrawn.

The Office of Student Assistance can support you in this process by facilitating conversations with appropriate campus entities and assisting you in filing your form.

**For short-term absences, such as, but not limited to, illness or family emergency, please refer to The Health Services Office and your syllabi on what to do regarding attendance concerns**