Annual Academic Progress Requirements

Students are required to complete at least one APUS course every 12 months to avoid being automatically withdrawn (disenrolled) from the university for inactivity. The 12-month period starts at the official end date of the last course a student completed. This does NOT include the extension periods. If a student has not yet completed a course, the 12-month period starts the day they complete orientation.

Voluntary Disenrollment

If a student has an active student status and no longer wants to pursue their education with the university, they must disenroll by submitting a Disenrollment Request Form. Students can find this form in the student ecampus, under the Academic Plan & Forms/University Forms menu, under the All Forms link.

Program Hold

If a student knows they will not be able to take any courses during any given year, they should request a Program Hold. Going on Program Hold and entering an anticipated Program Hold end date does not obligate a student to return to APUS. This locks in a student's place in their academic program to ensure they may come back to the same program at the same academic standing (freshman/senior, etc.) as when they left. If a student's program has been granted special program accreditation since they originally enrolled, a student's Academic Advisor may advise them to change their enrollment to the new catalog so that they will fall under the new program-specific accreditation.

The Program Hold Request form is accessible through the ACADEMIC PLAN & FORMS drop down along the top of a student's ecampus, under the UNIVERSITY FORMS menu, ‘ALL Forms’ link. Students may go on a program hold for up to 24 months at a time. However, students may contact the Office of the Registrar at any time during their Program Hold if they need additional time added to their anticipated Program Hold end date. We do not have a limit on the maximum amount of total time a student may spend on a Program Hold as long as they can still complete their program before their established program deadline. However, students will be automatically withdrawn from the university if they do not return to their studies by their selected Program Hold end date.

If a student is unable to submit the Program Hold form online, they may also call or email the Office of the Registrar (at 877-755-2787 x3600 or [email protected]) to request a Program Hold or to extend their current Program Hold date. Although we do not require students to submit verification for going on a program hold from the university, students are required to let us know that they are going to put their studies on hold to lock in their place in their program. 

Students Considering a Withdrawal

Before a student takes the steps to withdraw, they should consider asking their academic advisor about their options. Because we serve such a large number of students who are on active duty in the military or busy professionals on remote assignments, we understand that there may be times when computer access is limited or other circumstances make it challenging to complete coursework within the prescribed timeframe. If this happens, a student is advised to contact their academic advisor, their ESO (if a military student), the course instructor, or any other relevant parties to discuss their situation and whether a special circumstances extension is possible.

For more information on how to request a program hold, students should contact [email protected].