There are a number of processes at Grand Valley to assist you, the student, to appeal various academic situations. Our department assists with the academic policies listed below. You can download each form by clicking on a blue button.

Course Withdrawal Use Registration and Drop/Add Course Form
Withdrawing anytime from a course(s) is a decision that should be made after having a conversation with the Professor, your Professional Academic Advisor, and the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship. Students who do not withdraw before the deadline must accept a grade other than W depending on the instructor's judgment of their performance in the course and any mitigating circumstances.  

After withdrawal deadline appeal: Extenuating Circumstances
Reasons to appeal to the Student Academic Success Center for withdrawal of a course are extenuating circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances include emergencies concerning health, family, or financials.

Undergraduate students who request an exception of the withdrawal deadline due to extenuating circumstances must submit all of the below to the director of Student Success Programs at [email protected] for a decision.  Students should continue attending class until notification of a final decision about their appeal is received.

• Present their explanation of appeal
• Registration and Drop/Add Form which is signed by their professor and department chair of each course
• At least one statement of support from the professor or department chair of each course

Before withdrawal deadline: 
A student may withdraw in myBanner from a course and receive a grade of W, or by presenting the Registration and Drop/Add Form  to the Records Office at 150 Lubbers Student Services Center (STU) or [email protected]. Common reasons to withdraw from a course often involve personal concerns or a shift in academic circumstances. Examples may include not doing well in class, changing major, etc.

Credit Overload Request Use Registration and Drop/Add Course Form
Students who wish to take more than 20 credits in one semester must submit a Drop/Add Course Form, along with a statement explaining why they need to take this higher credit load. Requests should be submitted to the Student Academic Success Center, [email protected] for a decision.

Petition to Return
A student would need to complete this process to apply for readmission to Grand Valley. Per the GVSU catalog, "A dismissed student may apply for readmission after a period of one calendar year. Evidence of maturity and improved attitude toward academics and the written support of the student's academic advisor must accompany the application for readmission." A complete petition will include the following:

• Petition to Return form
• Letter of support from your academic advisor
• A detailed academic plan for your major
• Any documentation that supports your appeal, i.e., medical records, academic transcripts, etc.
• Appeal letter that includes any detailed information you could not fit on the Petition to Return form

Petition to Return requests are submitted to the Records Office at 150 Lubbers Student Services Center (STU) or [email protected] by 5pm on deadline dates.

Residency Waiver
Students should file a Residency Waiver appeal if they want to take courses at another institution while in their last 30 credits at Grand Valley. An academic advisor must sign the form in support of the request. Appeals should be submitted to the Student Academic Success Center, [email protected] for a decision.

Student Concern
This process is for students who want to appeal a course evaluation and/or substitution for General Education Foundation/Culture requirements. A complete application will include the following:

• Student Concern form
• Any attachments

Appeals should be submitted to [email protected] for review.