Resignation from studies requires completing a few formalities. It is not enough to stop attending classes or inform the lecturer that you do not intend to continue studying. The most important thing is to złsubmit the appropriate declaration to the university, and in the case of paid studies – also settle the tuition fee. Is it possible to resign halfway through the semester? Must the university refund the money for unused classes? How to write a request and when does one lose their status as a student? We explain the rules applicable in the 2026/2027 academic year.
In short – the most important information:
Each university has its own procedure for resignations. Most often, it requires zła written declaration of resignation, settlement of obligations, and the return of the ID card.
Before preparing the document, check how the university handles resignations.
Information can be found on the dean's office website, in the study regulations, or in the university student support system.
First of all, determine:
For example, the Poznań University of Technology requires a złsigned declaration in the dean's office along with a student ID card. Documents can also be sent by mail.
The university considers the date złof the resignation to be the day the statement is received by the dean's office.
The document must clearly indicate that you are resigning from further education in a specific field.
Usually enough:
You do not have to explain your decision in detail unless the relevant procedure requires additional information.
This is a very important stage, especially in paid studies.
You can złsubmit the statement in a manner approved by the university, e.g., in person, by mail, or using an appropriate electronic system.
If you are submitting the document to the deanery, ask for confirmation of the impact on your copy.
In the case of postal shipping, retain proof of delivery and receipt of the shipment.
Why is this important? The date of receipt of the resignation may be relevant for financial settlements. The mere cessation of attending classes is not a definitive declaration of completion of studies.
After receiving the statement, the university conducts the administrative procedure of removing the student from the list.
Pay attention to the date indicated in the decision and the information regarding the means of appeal.
It is possible that you will also need to:
You can also find a detailed description in our article. The circulating card during studies – what is it?.
Although „administration” is often mentioned, it is best to formulate the letter as clear statement of resignation, It is a request for permission to leave, not a request for permission to stay.
Below is a universal pattern that can be adapted to your own situation.
[Town, date]
Name and surname: [name and surname]
Album number: [album number]
Direction: [name of the direction]
Year and form of study: [year, full-time or part-time studies]
To: [name of the university, relevant unit or body]
DECLARATION OF RESIGNATION FROM STUDIES
I declare that I am withdrawing from my studies in the field of [field name], conducted in the form of [form of study] at [name of university].
Please confirm receipt of this statement, carry out the procedure to remove me from the student list, and provide information regarding the settlement of any outstanding fees and the return of documents.
In the event of an overpayment of the tuition fee, please provide a receipt and return the amount due.
[Signature]
If the university has its own form, it is worth using it. This will avoid the need to later fill out the documentation.
As a rule, it is not necessary to provide detailed justification for the decision to resign itself.
You can point to a general reason, such as a change in career plans, a family situation, or a decision to pursue a different field of study.
However, you do not need to provide any private details that are not necessary for the procedure to be carried out.
Yes. Resignation is also possible after the start of classes, during a session, or before the end of the academic year.
There is no general rule requiring every student to continue studying until the end of the semester.
However, it is important to properly złdocument the declaration and account for any obligations that may arise.
Example: You start your non-residential studies in October 2026. After a few weeks, you come to the conclusion that the chosen field of study does not meet your expectations.
You can drop out in November, without having to attend classes until the end of the semester.
However, this does not automatically mean that you will receive a refund for all previous payments. You need to check the billing rules for the services actually provided.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by people studying at non-public universities and in paid courses at public universities.
Giving up studies does not automatically mean the obligation to pay for the entire remaining semester or academic year.
It also does not mean that all previous debts can be ignored without being settled.
In practice, it is necessary to distinguish between:
The Parliament of the Republic of Poland points out that in the event of a successful resignation, the student may demand a proportional reimbursement of educational services and a refund of fees for the unused period.
Let's say you pay 900 per zł month, and the university already charged you the tuition for four months.
<escape>In total, the following amounts were paid: 3600 zł.
Let’s assume, purely for example’s sake, that according to proper accounting, the university is entitled to withhold 900 zł for the already completed period of study.
At that time, the remaining 2700 zł would constitute the amount to be refunded.
However, this is a mathematical example, not a universal rule. The actual settlement depends on the contract, the method of calculating the debt, the date of effective termination of the contractual relationship, and the scope of the services provided.
Not every fee specified in the contract as „administrative” or „termination fee” is automatically compliant with the law.
In July 2026, the President of the Office for the Protection of Competition and Consumers reported on the allegations against two non-public universities.
One of the practices at issue concerned the charging of a fee equivalent to the monthly tuition fee when a student resigns or transfers to another university.
These are the allegations of the authority, not information about the final decision in this particular case.
If the university demands an additional fee solely for withdrawing from the studies, it is worth asking for an indication of the contractual basis, the legal basis, and the justification for the charged amount.
Yes, in certain situations, a refund of overpaid funds is available.
The most important thing is to determine whether the university provided the service for which it charged a fee.
If the student paid for several months ofzł study but properly terminated the agreement earlier, there may be grounds to request a refund of part of the payment.
In practice, it is worth:
If the university refuses to settle the dispute or relies on questionable provisions of the contract, you can seek the assistance of a municipal or county consumer ombudsman.
In certain cases, yes.
If a paid contract for the provision of educational services was concluded remotely, e.g. via the internet, the provisions of the Consumer Rights Act regarding contract termination may apply.
The standard term is 14 days from the conclusion of the service contract, if the statutory right of withdrawal applies.
However, it is necessary to check the nature of the contract, the way it was concluded and any exceptions that may apply.
If the provision of services began earlier at the explicit request of the consumer, certain accounting obligations may apply regarding the part of the service that has been completed.
Important: Canceling a consumer contract within the statutory deadline and simply withdrawing from ongoing studies is not always the same procedure.
If you have just enrolled in paid online studies, it is worth checking these qualifications before submitting your standard application to the dean's office.
Yes, it might look different.
A person who has been admitted to study but has not yet started their studies and has not obtained student status may be subject to recruitment procedures instead of the resignation rules for current students.
For example, the University of Life Sciences in Lublin indicates that a person who resigns before October 1 submits the appropriate letter to the recruitment committee, and after the beginning of the academic year, submits the application to the dean.
Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between:
The situation | How to proceed? |
Resignation after being selected in the recruitment process | Contact the recruitment committee |
Resignation after obtaining student status | Submit a formal statement according to the university procedure |
Resignation from paid studies with an agreement in place | Additionally, settle contractual obligations |
Resignation during the semester | Submit the declaration without waiting until the end of the class |
In the case of paid studies, it is worth ensuring that a written confirmation of resignation is provided even if the classes have not yet begun.
Yes, but it depends on the university regulations and the stage of the previous completed education.
Possible solutions include:
For example, a person who has completed two semesters of study may apply in goodzł faith to have the previously acquired learning outcomes recognized.
However, this does not mean an automatic guarantee of admission for the second year.
The new university may require the filling of program gaps or the initiation of recruitment.
If you don’t want to definitively finish your studies, before getting złmarried, you should also consider taking a sabbatical leave.
After the successful loss of student status, the identity card can no longer be used to confirm the previously granted rights.
This applies to both the plastic ELS and the authentication in the mObywatel application.
This does not change the date shown on the hologram on the physical card.
For example, if a student successfully completes their studies in November 2026 as a result of resignation, a hologram with the date 31-03-27 does not mean that they can benefit from discounts until March.
When billing, the university may require the return of the plastic ELS card.
Holoscreens from different years are also of interest to collectors. They are available in our store. ELS student holograms in collectible versions, These are purely hobbyist in nature and do not confirm entitlement to discounts or student status.
As a rule, after losing student status, you cannot benefit from discounts based on that status, including in public and rail transport.
The situation with commercial discounts may be different; the rules for them are determined by individual companies.
Before taking advantage of the promotion, it is worth checking whether the requirements of the terms and conditions are still met.
The resignation may affect not only the membership card but also the insurance and financial settlements.
Persons with the status of a student and under the age of 26 are, as a rule, exempt from ZUS contributions under a typical assignment contract.
Upon loss of student status, the exemption resulting from this ground ceases to apply.
If you are working on an assignment, inform the client of the change in circumstances. This may affect the calculation of your net salary and the submission of insurance claims.
Not immediately.
The National Health Fund indicates that after being removed from the list of students, the right to healthcare benefits financed from public funds still remains in effect. 4 months.
However, this does not mean maintaining the status of a student during this period.
After four months have passed, you must have a different title for benefits if you want to continue to receive public health care.
Upon losing the status of a student, the basis for further use of the student benefits related to that status ceases to exist.
It is worth informing the scholarship department about the completion of studies and checking whether it is necessary to settle the funds paid out.
If the benefit was paid incorrectly, the university may demand reimbursement in accordance with the applicable regulations.
Yes. It is also possible to złterminate the contract during the semester. However, you must complete the formalities set by the university and settle any outstanding obligations.
The safest way to withdraw is to złmake a clear written statement in accordance with the university's procedures. The mere cessation of participation in classes does not replace formal resignation.
At some universities, part of the procedure can be carried out electronically. However, not every institution accepts simple email or a request in USOS. You need to check the required method of delivery and the signature of the declaration.
Not automatically. The settlement depends on the important provisions of the contract, the date of its effective termination, and the scope of services provided. The university cannot arbitrarily withhold fees for services it has not provided.
There may be a requirement to refund part of the funds for the period during which the educational services were no longer provided. It is worth requesting a detailed settlement and refund of the overpayment.
Not every fee provided for for cancellation is in accordance with the law. The UOKiK challenged decisions imposing excessive or unjustified fees. In case of doubt, it is necessary to check the contract and the basis for charging the amount.
Yes. Resignation from one course does not preclude applying to take another. It is also possible to apply for the recognition of previously earned ECTS credits in accordance with the rules of the new university.
The university may require the return of the plastic ELS card. After the status of student is effectively lost, the document no longer confirms the right to benefits, even if it has a hologram with a later date.
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The Hologramykolekcjonerskie24.com editorial team has been specializing in the topic for over 10 years. collectible holograms and patterns related to educational documents. We are preparing practical guides on ELS student holograms, doctoral ELDs and school-based ones, and their dates, variants, safeguards, and histories.
The published content is based on reliable sources regarding the Polish education system, applicable legal regulations, regulations of the relevant ministries, and official information provided by universities, schools, and public institutions. We regularly update the materials to reflect changes in regulations, document templates, and policies applicable in Polish education.
The website is informational and collector-oriented and is not affiliated with any university, school, ministry, or other public institution.
