Academic Interventions

Students experiencing a significant health condition may be eligible for a University Approved Absence (UAA). Information about eligibility requirements, documentation guidelines, and the application process is available on the University Approved Absence Office website.

Students receiving care at UNC Health Campus Care: Because federal privacy laws prevent Campus Care from sharing student medical information directly with the UAAO, students are responsible for submitting any requested documentation. If a Campus Care clinician determines that a student’s condition meets UAA criteria, Campus Care will provide the student with a UAA support letter and instructions for completing the UAA request process.

Students receiving care from an outside medical provider: Students who receive treatment from a healthcare provider outside of Campus Care are responsible for obtaining the necessary documentation from their provider and submitting their UAA request and supporting documentation by submitting a request directly through the UAAO website.

Students seeking a current or retroactive course drop due to medical circumstances should submit an appeal through UNC Advising’s Academic Appeals process. Campus Care does not review, approve, or process course drop requests.

Please note that Medical Underloads can only be approved before or within two weeks of the first day of classes. The deadline to submit a request for the Spring 2027 semester is Wednesday, January 20, 2027 by 5pm.

Requests submitted after this deadline must be pursued as a Medical Course Drop through UNC Advising’s Academic Appeals process.

Medical Underload approvals are for one semester. Students seeking longer term accommodations need to submit a new request and documentation each semester.

This process applies only to undergraduate students. Graduate students must seek accommodation directly through their department.

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. The letter must contain the number of credit hours approved for a medical underload.
4. Submit the approval letter to Wellbeing Administrative Services by Fax: 919-966-0616 or Email: medical_interventions@unc.edu
5. Wellbeing Administrative Services will forward the approval letter to UNC Advising for final review.
6. UNC Advising will review the recommendation and notify you of the decision. If approved, you will receive instructions regarding course drops, applicable deadlines, and any potential academic or financial aid implications.

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.

Medical clearance is required by a Campus Care clinician for re-admittance to the university after a medical withdrawal and must be completed 6-10 weeks before the first day of class in the semester you want to return. When you are ready to return, you will need to complete the following:

1. Schedule an appointment with a Campus Care clinician for a Medical Clearance Evaluation. UNC Campus Care offers both in-person and virtual appointments.
2. During the appointment, the Campus Care provider will review your current status and any treatment received while you were away from the university to determine whether you are ready to return to campus. If you received treatment from an outside provider while away from the university, you may be asked to bring documentation supporting your return to the university. Providing any relevant records at the time of your appointment may help facilitate the clearance process.
3. If the Campus Care provider determines that you meet the criteria for medical clearance, they will issue an approval letter for your return to campus. Email the approval letter to medical_interventions@unc.edu by the applicable clearance deadline listed below .
4. Wellbeing Administrative Services will notify UNC Advising once the approval letter has been received and your registration hold will be removed.

Clearance Deadlines

• Spring 2027: Wednesday, November 25, 2026
• Summer Session I 2027: Wednesday, March 31, 2027
• Summer Session II 2027: Tuesday, May 11, 2027
• Fall 2027: Monday, July 5, 2027

In addition to a medical clearance by Campus Care, you must also submit the Return to Carolina (RTC) Survey through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for the intended term of re-enrollment. For questions regarding the Return to Carolina Survey, contact rtc@admissions.unc.edu or 919-966-3621.

We recognize that unexpected illnesses or injuries can arise during finals. Students who experience a medical condition that significantly affects their ability to prepare for or take a final exam may follow the process outlined below to request a final exam medical excuse.

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.

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.

More information about the final exam excuse process can be found on the UNC Advising webpage

• 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 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 uploaded to your Healthy Heels Patient Portal. 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.