Taking a Break/Exiting 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø understands that circumstances can change, and you might need to adjust your academic plans. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is committed to providing the support needed to understand your options based on your situation. 

Taking a Break/Exiting 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

** This form is for continuing students only. New admits should reach out to their admissions counselor.

Understanding the Terms: Withdraw vs. Exit 51³Ô¹ÏÍø vs Maintain Registration

  • Withdraw: Refers to de-registering from one or more courses while remaining an active student at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. You may still want to attend other classes and semesters.
  • Exit 51³Ô¹ÏÍø: Refers to completely ending your enrollment at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. Examples include withdrawing from your courses, or completing them, and not enrolling in future semesters at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø for the foreseeable future or transferring to another institution.
  • Maintain Registration: Refers to taking a temporary leave from the university (a semester or two) while keeping your student status active. You can register for classes without having to do anything else, and costs less than readmission. It also allows you to keep your Degree Works requirements as they currently are.

What Are My Options?

Deferring Admission

Admitted students that have not taken courses at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø yet and need to postpone their starting semester should contact the Office of Admissions. 

Maintaining Registration

If you need to take a break from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø for personal reasons, such as for work, taking time to address additional personal responsibilities, or being unable to register for the semester, and you plan to return, maintaining your registration may be the best option for you. 

Maintaining your registration keeps your student status active for a small fee so you do not have to apply for readmission when you are ready to return. Please see below for the policies and processes for maintaining your registration at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. 

Leave of Absence (International Students)

A leave of absence is a temporary break from your studies, for one or more semesters, during which you may not be present in the United States. To learn more about the process please visit the Office of Global Initiative’s Leave of Absence website. 

Exiting 51³Ô¹ÏÍø: The Intent to Exit Process

** Incoming students that have not yet taken courses yet do not need to complete this process; contact Admissions@njit.edu if you wish to defer your admission.

If you are considering transferring to another institution, or you are no longer interested in continuing your studies at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, complete the Intent to Exit 51³Ô¹ÏÍø process. 

Note: Students that were suspended or dismissed do not need to complete this process.

To begin the Intent to Exit process, please fill out . If you need guidance on the process, please review . 

Make sure to read carefully as you submit your request to exit 51³Ô¹ÏÍø permanently, as there are follow-up steps to take before you step away. These steps will be listed before and after you submit your form, and you will receive an email with this information.

Students who do a total withdrawal during the semester will be subject to the tuition-only refund policy posted on the Academic Calendar and are responsible for any outstanding charges due to the withdrawal. Your financial aid may need to be adjusted based on the last date of attendance marked in the form, according to federal and university guidelines, found here. 

Here are the next steps to formally exit 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, if applicable:

  • Schedule: If you are currently registered and intend to leave 51³Ô¹ÏÍø immediately, drop/withdraw from all courses as soon as possible on Highlander Pipeline and do not register for the upcoming term. If the withdrawal date has already passed, complete your current courses and drop your registration for next semester.
    • > Registration & Degree Plan > Course Registration (Banner) > Register for Classes > Select the Term > View the drop-down menu near your courses (bottom right of screen), select drop or withdraw (will depend if before/after add/drop) for each, then click submit.
    • Here is the academic calendar with the refund policy.
    • If the deadline to withdraw has passed, you will be unable to withdraw and will need to complete your courses. If you need to withdraw for medical reasons, please look into a medical withdrawal. 
  • Balance: Pay your balance as soon as possible. Important note: official transcripts may not be released with an outstanding balance. Use the appropriate payment link located within the .
  • Financial Aid: If you receive federal, state or institutional aid, contact finaid@njit.edu to discuss potential financial implications as your aid may be subject to change and it may also impact your future eligibility. 
  • Residence Life/Gourmet Dining: Your housing contract will be terminated as of the last date at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, and you will be billed a cancellation fee in accordance to the terms and conditions of your contract found in your housing portal. You can view the current housing contract here. If you have an active meal plan, it will also be terminated as of the last date at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. Contact the Residence Life Office at reslife@njit.edu or 973-596-3039 if you have questions.
  • Medical Withdrawal: All students withdrawing for medical or health-related reasons must submit a request online through  before the final exam period of any semester.
  • Transcript: Request an .
  • Access to your 51³Ô¹ÏÍø email: Forward any important emails and information to another account since you may lose access to your 51³Ô¹ÏÍø email.
  • Exit Survey: Complete the .

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your concerns, please contact persist@njit.edu. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are using the health insurance provided by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, please see the Office of the Dean of Students’ Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) section for more information. For any additional questions regarding health insurance coverage after a full withdrawal from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, please contact the Bursar’s Office at bursar@njit.edu. 

To understand more about course withdrawals, visit the Registrar’s webpage here.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Before withdrawing from one or all of your courses, please be aware of the following:

  1. Deadlines for course withdrawals: Registrar Office’s Academic Calendar.
  2. The tuition refund periods for withdrawals: Bursar Office’s Important Dates 
  3. How withdrawals may impact your financial aid package: Financial Aid Office’s Withdrawals 
  4. Students that fully withdraw from their courses will need to vacate the residence hall if they are living on campus. Please email reslife@njit.edu to discuss implications.
  5. Students that fully withdraw will have their meal plan costs prorated based on confirmed usage by Gourmet Dining. Please email reslife@njit.edu to discuss implications. 

International students must also follow the withdrawal process with the Office of Global Initiatives. 

Please visit the Office of the Dean of Students’ website for more information about medical withdrawals. The important notes listed above should also be considered for medical withdrawals. 

Additional Resources

Office of Student Persistence

If you are not sure which option is best for you, you can contact the Office of Student Persistence to understand what your best course of action is for your situation. 

  • Email: persist@njit.edu 
  • Phone Number: 973-596-8145
  • Office Location: Fenster Hall, Rooms 175 through 177

Financial Aid Office:

Registrar's Office: 

  • Email: registrar@njit.edu
  • Office Location and Hours: Student Mall (lower level of the Summit parking deck), 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Bursar Office: 

  • Email: bursar@njit.edu
  • Phone Number: 973-596-2877
  • Office Location and Hours: Student Mall (lower level of the Summit parking deck, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Office of the Dean of Students:

  • Email: dos@njit.edu
  • Phone Number: 973-596-3466
  • Office Location and Hours: Central King Building, Room L71, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Office of Global Initiatives:

Submit Exit Form