Emergency & Life Supports

Non-Academic Coordinators

These coordinators can be helpful when life situations occur that begin to impact your academics. Examples of these situations include emergency personal or family situations, personal or family illness, a sudden financial crisis, a death, an accident or housing issue, or any other situation that is impacting you or your course load. 

CNS Non-Academic Coordinators can be contacted via email or appointment:

Services Offered by Non-Academic Coordinators:

• Information, referrals and resources
• Consultation on options regarding Non-Academic Q-Drops or Non-Academic Withdrawals
• Notifications to instructors for absences related to emergencies
• Signatures for Medical Course Load Reductions/Withdrawal Applications for submission to Disability and Access

Non-Academic Q-Drops

Students may be eligible for a Non-Academic Q-Drop through the CNS Dean’s Office by the deadline date. Non-Academic reasons include medical and mental health, along with other life challenges, such as deaths, legal, financial duress, etc. Official documentation is required for all Non-Academic Q-Drops.

Students are required to meet with a CNS Non-Academic Coordinator to determine eligibility by the December 9 deadline.

Non-Academic Q-Drops do not count against the 6-drop limit; Q-Drops done as Non-Academic may be helpful to the student in case there is a need to petition for a third time repeat of a course.

Withdrawals 

Our CNS Non-Academic Coordinators can assist with the following types of Withdrawals:

1. Non-Academic Withdrawal through the CNS Dean’s Office
2. Signature for a Medical Withdrawal through Disabilities & Access
3. Withdrawing by the deadline date below OR Using the OTE (One Time Exception) to Withdraw after the deadline date below.

Non-Academic Withdrawals require official documentation to be considered and/or processed. These types of official documentation may include but are not limited to: Health Care Provider Letters, Medical Documentation of hospitalization or treatment, Police Reports, Death Certificates, and other documentation of similar stature.

Students are required to meet with a CNS Non-Academic Coordinator before the Withdrawal can be processed.

During Fall and Spring semesters, this is a requirement. (It is not a requirement during the summer sessions.) International students, please contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with Texas Global prior to submitting your request.

Medical Course Load Reduction

If you would like to withdraw from all courses, submit a withdrawal request. 

Students are required to meet with a Non-Academic Coordinator to obtain a signature for the Course Load Reduction or a Medical Withdrawal through D&A.

• International students seeking to drop below 12 hours are usually required to apply for a Medical Course Load Reduction. (Contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with Texas Global for questions regarding this). The deadline date for International students to apply for a Medical Course Load reduction is the last day of class.

Medical Course Load Reduction (Medical Q-Drops) do not count against the 6-drop limit; and Q-Drops done as Non-Academic may be helpful to the student in case there is a need to petition for a third time repeat of a course.

The Late Medical Course Load Reduction

This may be possible through the deadline. (Requires additional late/appeal documentation) 

To check for deadlines and eligibility, visit the D&A website here or reference further information here. 

Medical Withdrawals

Students are required to have an appointment with a Non-Academic Coordinator at the beginning of the application process. 

International students are usually limited to Medical Withdrawals. Please see the instructions and contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) with Texas Global with questions.

• Medical Withdrawal applications are accepted all semester until last day of class. Please note, medical withdrawals through D&A follow different protocol and may have differing deadlines. Please visit the Disability and Access (D&A) website for more information.

Beginning 10/28/2024 you may schedule an appointment with a Non-Academic Coordinator to obtain a signature for the Medical Withdrawal through Disability & Access. 

Student Emergency Fund

The College of Natural Sciences Student Emergency Fund was created to support our students with various emergencies. We understand financial help cannot fix all of the unique issues that a student may be facing, but we hope these funds can help students get back on a path of success.

Applications for this fund are currently being accepted through our non-academic counselors. If you have questions about the College of Natural Sciences Student Emergency Fund, please contact one of our non-academic counselors to discuss all of your options.

Key Resources to Know

CMHC (mental health)

Health Services

UT Outpost (food)

Voices Against Violence 

Quick Links

• Behavior Concerns Advice Line (BCAL) – Worried about a student in class, bothered that your roommate has been acting differently or concerned about the behavior of a co-worker? When you have concerns but are not sure what to do, contact BCAL.
• Non-Academic Coordinator support – When challenges arise, these coordinators can help.
• Student Outreach and Support  – Helps students and their families during difficult or emergency situations. Assistance includes outreach, advocacy, intervention, support and referrals to relevant campus and community resources.
• Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid – Apply for emergency loans
• Texas Global – Apply for emergency tuition and cash loans
• 2-1-1 Texas – A comprehensive list of resources in your local community for Texas residents.

Additional Information

If you or your parents have experienced a recent reduction in income or financial resources due to extenuating circumstances and you have already completed the FAFSA, please complete the income reduction appeal for the appropriate academic year via DocuSign to receive more comprehensive aid than this emergency fund is able to offer. The income reduction appeal (formerly known as the special circumstances appeal) allows UT Austin to assess your financial aid and make any adjustments to your financial aid package given your current situation. You may request a PDF via email to onestop@utexas.edu, but please note that PDF processing times may be delayed.

If you need technology support, please also complete the Cost of Attendance Appeal Form. The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid can recalculate your total cost of attendance for the year including your technology needs, and may be able to offer grant or loan funding to support your needs.