What happens if I don't tell a college I'm not going?

It's not required to tell a college you're not attending. But aside from being the courteous thing to do, informing the school also frees up the financial aid that has been reserved for you so that another freshman can benefit from it.

Do I have to tell colleges I'm not going?

Technically, you do not have to officially decline a college acceptance. If you ignore a college acceptance letter, admissions will consider that the same as a rejection. However, it's more respectful to decline.

What happens if you start a college application but don t finish it?

It makes no difference - the colleges don't consider any application until it is submitted. They won't remember you next year when you apply for real. Even if they did, they'd understand why you took a look at their application this year.

What happens if you stop attending college?

Many students enroll in college to get higher-paying jobs. Dropping out can make that harder to achieve. Students who have student loan debt may even leave in a worse position than before they enrolled.

How to tell a college you are not attending after committing?

Typically it's best to call since admissions staff will be swamped with emails. You may want to follow up with a written letter discussing the phone call so there's a record. If there's someone specific you've been talking to about your admission already, try to get in touch with them.

Some Rough Advice for the "Real World"

What happens if you back out of a college commitment?

In this situation, admitted students may find themselves with more than one withdrawn admission offer. Early decision colleges may reach out to other schools to let them know you broke your agreement, which can reflect poorly on your applications. You'll also lose any deposit money you put down.

What happens if you change your mind after you commit to a college?

You generally will not receive your deposit back. If you prefer to attend another school, and that school's acceptance deadline has not yet passed, you can then pay the deposit and commit to that school instead.

Do you have to pay back fafsa if you drop out of college?

Federal financial aid regulation states that if you withdraw from all of your classes or cease enrollment prior to the 60 percent point of instruction in any term, you will be required to repay all unearned financial aid funds received.

Can I just quit college?

The process of how to drop out of college depends on the school. However, at most colleges, students start the process by meeting with an academic advisor. Advisors help undergrads submit a withdrawal request. Students should also visit the financial aid office to ask about a refund for tuition.

Can I just stop going to college?

Yes, you can. Go to the registrar's office, admissions office and financial aid office (if you received financial aid money). If you owe money, they will bill you.

Can you decline college admission after accepting?

Can you reject a college after accepting? Certainly! From the day you accept your acceptance offer to the day of your graduation, you can choose to no longer attend the university you're currently at. This is even true for those who accept an early decision acceptance offer, which are usually binding.

Can a college accept you then reject you?

Experts say students should be aware that admissions offers are conditional and can be rescinded for a number of reasons. Although it's rare for college acceptance to be rescinded, it does happen.

Can a college decline you after already accepting you?

Colleges do have the right to revoke an admission offer. This contingency is often written into the acceptance letter. Colleges take their admissions decisions seriously, though, and they try to avoid revoking acceptances at all costs.

Can I commit to two colleges?

Double depositing means putting down a deposit, and thus accepting admission, at more than one college. Since a student can't attend multiple colleges, it is considered unethical.

What happens if you accept admission to two colleges?

You Would Be Breaking a Contract with the Colleges

The first and foremost reason is that when you submit your application to any college or university, you electronically sign something that says you will only accept an offer from one school. So, theoretically, this should be the end of discussion.

How do I withdraw from college after committing?

We advise students to email the colleges — either the main admissions office email or admissions representative for their area — and include their full name, high school, and reason for withdrawing. Students can also call the admissions office, but an email will give students a record of their request to withdraw.

Should I dropout of college if I hate it?

It's totally normal and ultimately your call. No one can or should make this decision for you. And at the same time, no one should pressure you to keep attending school if you know it's not right for you. College isn't for everyone, and you have tons of other options if you decide to follow a different course.

Can I dropout of college and go back later?

Some schools allow prior dropouts to return to school without reapplying. If you'd like to continue your education at a college or university you previously attended, make sure to check with their admissions office to determine their requirements.

What happens if you get FAFSA money and don't go to school?

If you drop or withdraw from classes, you may jeopardize future eligibility for student aid (including loans). If your enrollment drops below half-time, your financial aid awards may be adjusted, and the grace period repayment of loans will begin.

Is it better to withdraw or fail for financial aid?

In most situations, withdrawing from a course should not affect your aid package. But if you fail to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, your aid may be affected. Withdrawing from a course can also change your enrollment status, which could reduce your aid.

Do I have to pay back a Pell Grant if I drop out?

If you drop out of school before the end of the program for which you were awarded the grant, you will have to pay back at least part of your Pell Grant. The government views this as unearned money since you didn't complete the program. Be prepared to pay back half of the "unearned" money.

Is committing to a college binding?

Early decision applications typically require the signature of the student, parent and counselor verifying the commitment. The agreement is not legally binding, so a college would not go after a student for tuition. But depending on the school, there can be consequences if a student doesn't accept an offer.

What happens if you choose early decision and don't go?

If there isn't a legitimate reason for not attending the college, then there may be consequences for doing so. The institution may inform your high school. More importantly, the college has the right to inform other colleges, and this could cost you your accepted spot at those institutions.

Can you change your mind after declining a college?

It depends on timing. I suspect that if you contacted the university very swiftly after sending your decline, and apologised that you declined in error, they may well be willing to allow your to change your mind. This is particularly true if you declined before the deadline for decisions from admitted students.

Can I ask a college why I was rejected?

You can ask, but they won't answer — at least not with a specific reason. For one thing, it's a group decision of an admissions committee, so there are actually numerous reasons, and many were unstated even to other members of the committee.