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Northern Illinois University

Division of Student Affairs

Procedures for Requesting a Withdrawal
for Medical Reasons

Students seeking a withdrawal from the university for medical reasons must initiate the withdrawal process with Health Services during the semester in which the medical condition is diagnosed, and complete the process no later than the end of the subsequent academic term.

International students are required to comply with SEVIS Rules and Regulations by providing documentation to the International Student and Faculty Office for a medical course load reduction or medical withdrawal request in any semester. Prior to requesting a withdrawal through their college advisement office, all international-status students must contact the International Student and Faculty Office at (815) 753-1346. This option is limited to a total of 12 months under current Immigration Law.

All other students withdrawing from the university for medical reasons and requesting refund of payments made for tuition and fees (and room and board, if living in university residence halls) are required to:


1. Withdraw from the university through their college advisement office. The college advisement offices are listed below:

College of Business
Barsema Hall 201
Ms. Lori Marcellus, Director, Undergraduate Studies
753-1325

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Zulauf Hall 201
Ms. Jill Boersma, Director, Academic Advising
753-0305

College of Visual and Performing Arts
Music Building 141
Dr. Richard Holly, Associate Dean
753-1635

College of Law
Swen Parson
Ms. Robin Boyes, Director, Budgets and Records
753-6580

College of Education
Graham Hall 327
Ms. Margaret (Margee) Myles, Director, Advisement Services
753-8355

College of Health & Human Sciences
Wirtz 227
Ms. Sandi Splansky, Director, Academic Advising
753-1891

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Dr. Mansour Tahernezhadi, Associate Dean
Engineering Building 331
753-0745

Undeclared Major
Academic Advising Center
Adams Hall, room 404
Dr. Julie Schaid, Director
753-1393

Graduate School
Adams Hall 210
Dr. Brad Bond, Associate Dean
753-9402

2. Contact the Health Services Director's Office (815) 753-1316 or (815) 753-1314 for information about the medical review process and forms to be completed as part of this process.

  • Student must arrange for submission of pertinent medical information from his/her medical provider(s) to the Health Services Administrative Physician for review.  This information must document the specific medical circumstances necessitating withdrawal from the university.
  • Student must also sign a Health Services application and authorization form to confirm his/her request for a medical withdrawal and to authorize the Health Services to verify a sufficient medical basis for the medical withdrawal.

3. Check out from university residence halls within twenty-four hours of withdrawal from the university. (Check-out includes removing personal belongings, signing the room condition report, and returning keys and must be done with a residence hall staff member.)