Read the petition form carefully. Make sure the petition is signed and dated when complete and successfully submitted. It is an electronic form routed directly to the Office of the University Registrar.
Provide accurate student and course information on the petition.
Please do not make a request for multiple semesters on one petition. Requests for multiple semesters require separate petition forms.
Student Statement: The student statement should explain the nature of your request and what extenuating circumstances prevented you from completing this change before the official processing deadline for the course(s). If a student is making a selective request, they must clearly explain how their circumstances affected one or some of their courses and not all. Documentation must be provided.
Supporting Documentation: Provide documentation that supports the extenuating circumstances presented in your student statement. There should be a documented reason, as to why you were unable to withdraw by university deadlines.
Medical Documentation: If you are providing medical documentation, a letter from a medical professional on letterhead is required. The information should include an explanation of the circumstances and a timeline relevant to the term the request is being made for. Please do not include the medical documentation form that is related to the tuition refund appeal process. This document will not be accepted. This is a separate form, for another process and a different office.
Additional information: The Office of the University Registrar reserves the right to request additional information from the student or others and will take the time to thoroughly conduct research as part of the review process. An instructor statement is NOT required. If we have specific questions for instructors or an academic advisor, we will contact them. Information from third parties is advisory only. The Office of the University Registrar reviews and makes the final decision for Petitions for Exception to Registration. This is a review process, and an approval is not guaranteed.
Approved late withdraw: An approved late withdrawal is processed as of the date of approval. Withdrawals are not backdated. A withdrawal is not a guarantee of any tuition credit. Please note that any changes to registration, may cause changes in your student account and financial aid.
Some of the reasons not appropriate for a petition for exception to registration:
Academically Dismissed: When a student is academically dismissed, they are notified of their student status. In addition, they are provided with the instructions regarding appealing the dismissal through the college office. The petition for exception to registration is not a means to remove an academic dismissal form the student record. Students are expected to decide to remain in courses or withdraw online prior to published university deadlines. If they wish to remain in courses, they should seek assistance form their instructor and/or academic advisor if there are challenges during the term to discuss best options, prior to any deadlines and prior to possibly being academically dismissed.
Financial issues: The Petition for Exception to Registration process is not to be used to resolve financial hardship or financial aid issues. Students should not register for courses to obtain the desired amount of credit hours solely for the purpose of becoming eligible for Financial Aid and then seek to withdraw or switch courses, after university deadlines.
Grades: The petition for exception to registration is not the appropriate process to dispute or appeal grades. Please contact your college office or the Student Ombuds for assistance. Petitions for exception to registration requesting to drop/withdraw will not be considered for courses with passing grades, IP, or IN administrative marks.
Incomplete Grades: If you wish to pursue an incomplete grade for a course, you must do so through your instructor, prior to the end of the semester. In addition, students are unable to request a late withdraw through the petition for exception to registration process. An incomplete or in progress grade will stand.Deciding to make an attempt to complete a course, though the student is experiencing extenuating circumstance, and discovering after university deadlines that they will not be successful, is not a an appropriate reason to petition a late withdraw. Computer errors, loss of internet connection, change in employment, being unaware of published university deadlines, incorrect deadline date on a syllabus, lack of books or supplies, poor performance, dissatisfaction with a grade earned or instructor issues are not valid reasons for this petition.
Holds: If a student has a hold, they should indicate whether they contacted the office that initiated the hold and when. Students should resolve these matters as soon as possible, in order to complete registration activity prior to university deadlines.
If a student petitioned to late add a course they should not submit a 2nd petition to late withdraw the same course, unless under extraordinary circumstances.
Unable to complete the course due to financial reasons or seek to request a refund. The university does not offer a refund appeal process due to extenuating circumstances, as of Fall 2020. Kent State University offers tuition insurance through GradGuard. This option can be purchased at the beginning of each term. To obtain a quote or learn more about selecting this optional tuition insurance from GradGuard visit their website or call 877-794-6603.
