The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Health Campus Care at Carolina

Academic Interventions

Medical conditions can affect your ability to attend classes and may significantly impact your academic performance. If a physical health condition is affecting your academic success, you may be eligible to request an academic accommodation or intervention.

Please note that the information below applies only to academic interventions related to physical health conditions. If you are seeking assistance with an academic intervention related to a mental health concern, please contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for guidance and support.

Medical Excuses for Missed Classes or Assignments

Students should work directly with their instructors to address absences and missed assignments related to illness.

Campus Care does not provide routine medical excuses for missed classes or assignments for commonly occurring illnesses, minor injuries, or non-emergency medical procedures. Students should communicate directly with their instructors regarding these situations.

Students experiencing a significant health condition may be eligible for a University Approved Absence. Eligibility requirements, documentation guidance, and information about the request process are available on the University Approved Absence Office website.

Due to federal privacy laws, UNC Health Campus Care at Carolina cannot share student medical information directly with the University Approved Absence Office (UAAO). As a result, students are responsible for submitting any documentation requested by the UAAO as part of the review process.

Additional information is available in the UAAO Student FAQs. Faculty and staff can find guidance, eligibility information, and resources on the University Approved Absence Office website.

Course Drop for Medical Reasons (Current or Retroactive)

Current or retroactive course drops are supported by Academic Advising’s Academic Appeals process. Campus Care is not involved in course drops.

Medical Underload

*Please keep in mind that Medical Underloads can only be approved before or within two weeks of the first day of class. Any requests for a Medical Underload outside that time frame would be considered a Medical Course Drop Request.

Medical Underload Process

  1. Consult your academic advisor or your program’s student services manager/coordinator to determine whether a Medical Underload is appropriate for your situation.
  2. Schedule an appointment with a Campus Care clinician specifically for a Medical Underload evaluation.
  3. Attend your appointment. If the provider determines that you qualify for a Medical Underload, they will issue an approval letter.
  4. Submit the approval letter to Wellbeing Administrative Services by:
  5. Wellbeing Administrative Services will notify Academic Advising once the approval letter has been received and processed.

Note that requests for underloads less than 9 hours may have a longer turn around time. Start the underload process as soon as you can if requesting an underload of less than 9 hours.

Medical Withdrawal

Requests for a medical withdrawal for the current semester must be completed before the last day of classes.

A medical withdrawal is when you, as an enrolled student, decide you must leave the university in a given term due to medical reasons once the term begins and you have attended at least one class.

There are impacts to undergoing this process, and we understand there are still good reasons why students may need to withdraw.

Clearance is required for re-admittance to the university after a withdrawal and must be completed 6-10 weeks before the first day of class in the semester you want to return. Details below.

Retroactive Term withdrawal requests are processed through Academic Advising Course Drop, Retroactive Course Drop & Retroactive Term Withdrawal Appeals – UNC Advising 

Current Semester Medical Withdrawal Process

  1. Consult your academic advisor or your program’s student services manager/coordinator to determine whether a Medical Withdrawal is appropriate for your situation.
  2. Schedule an appointment with a Campus Care clinician specifically for a Medical Withdrawal Evaluation.
  3. Attend your appointment. If the provider determines that you qualify for a Medical Withdrawal, they will issue an approval letter.
  4. Submit the approval letter to Wellbeing Administrative Services by:
  5. Wellbeing Administrative Services will notify Academic Advising/your program, Housing, Registrar, Dean of Students Office, and Financial Aid once the approval letter has been received and processed.

If you are no longer on campus and are requesting a medical withdrawal, please email medical_interventions@unc.edu for instructions.

When will withdrawals be dated?

Medical withdrawals will be dated when the process is complete, including the receipt of the required documentation. The withdrawal might be dated earlier in rare and extenuating circumstances. Examples of this would include prolonged hospitalization or incapacitation.

How long can I receive care at Campus Care and CAPS after withdrawal?

If your medical or psychological withdrawal is granted, you have 30 days of eligibility to be seen at Campus Care and CAPS.

When I’m ready, how do I return to campus after withdrawal?

Medical clearance from your treating clinician is required before you can return to the University. Clearance documentation must be submitted 6-10 weeks before the first day of classes for the semester in which you plan to return. To be considered for re-admittance, your treating clinician must complete the required medical clearance form and submit it to Wellbeing Administrative Services before the clearance deadlines below.

To request a medical clearance form or obtain additional information, please contact medical_interventions@unc.edu.

Clearance Deadlines

  • The deadline for clearance for Spring 2027 is Wednesday, November 25th
  • The deadline for clearance for 2027 Summer Session I is Wednesday, March 31st
  • The deadline for clearance for 2027 Summer Session II is Tuesday, May 11th
  • The deadline for clearance for Fall 2027 was Monday, July 5th

Illness during Final Exams

We know that illnesses may arise during finals. Students who have a medical illness during the final exam period that significantly impairs one’s ability to prepare for or take a final exam may participate in the process outlined below for assistance. 

Process for Navigating Illness during Final Exams

Students must consult with a clinician on the day of or prior to your exam – this process cannot be done retroactively. Please note this process applies only to exam excuses related to physical health concerns. Requests connected to mental or emotional health must be addressed through a walk-in triage appointment with a CAPS therapist. Visit the CAPS website for current walk-in hours.

  • Either a Campus Care clinician or outside medical provider can authorize an exam excuse if it is determined the student’s ability to prepare for or take their final exam(s) is significantly impaired by a medical or mental health illness.
  • To be approved for an exam excuse, you must email the following documentation to Wellbeing Administrative Services from your UNC email address to medical_interventions@unc.edu.
    • Documentation from your medical provider excusing you for all dates of your exams – the documentation must include ALL dates you are requesting to be excused.
    • Your full name & PID #
    • Subject and Course Number (example: BIOL 101 or GLBL 210) of your exam
    • Exam Date & Exam Time
  • You will receive an exam excuse permit emailed to your UNC Email Address. It is your responsibility to forward the Permit to Schedule Alternative Final Exam document to each instructor to reschedule your final exam(s).
  • Instructors may confirm the validity of the exam excuse by sending an email to medical_interventions@unc.edu from their official UNC email address. No health information will be disclosed, only the validity of the excuse.

If you have any questions regarding this process, you can email medical_interventions@unc.edu. Please include your full name and PID # on all email correspondence.

For more information about Academic Advising Program Final Examination Excuses, go to advising.unc.edu/policies-and-procedures/final-exam-excusexcuses.

Psychological Reasons for Academic Interventions

If you are seeking a withdrawal, underload, or final exam excuse due to psychological reasons, you will need to stop by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) during walk-in hours (Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.). CAPS processes are similar to Campus Care, and are detailed on the CAPS website: academic withdrawals, underloads, or final exam excuses due to psychological needs. 

Academic Intervention Contact

Your program’s academic advisor should be your first contact for academic concerns. Undergraduates should also refer to the Academic Advising website.

For medical underloads or withdrawals email: medical_interventions@unc.edu

Fax: 919-966-0616

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