Requests for exception to the Alternative Grading System are only valid for the Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 terms in which the policy was enacted. No other terms can be considered.

Be aware that an approved petition for increased credits may cause a student to owe tuition (based on current rates) and possibly surcharges (for more than 19 credits per term), which would need to be paid before adding a course or courses to their transcript.

The ability to petition for a Stay of Academic Dismissal requires: 1) engagement with an academic recovery plan while in Academic Warning, documented in the official University advising system (petition requires an adviser letter); and 2) having 18 or fewer recovery points after all grades are reported for the current term. If a petition for a Stay of Academic Dismissal is approved by the Faculty Senate committee, the student will be placed in Academic Suspension for two consecutive terms (including summer) and required to follow the re-enrollment and return from suspension process for their intended college/campus. Petitions for a Stay of Academic Dismissal must be submitted, with review by the appropriate unit of enrollment, no later than the late-drop deadline of a regular session course of their first semester/session/term of academic dismissal (dates for these deadlines are published on the University’s academic calendar). After this point, students wanting to return earlier (from Academic Dismissal) would petition the Faculty Senate for early consideration of Academic Renewal.

The ability to petition for a Reduction in Length of Academic Suspension, from two consecutive terms to one term, requires students to have 15 or fewer recovery points after all grades are reported in their last term. Students should submit their petitions through the Unit of intended re-enrollment following academic suspension. Petitions for a Reduction in Length of Academic Suspension require a supporting adviser letter, and must be submitted to the Faculty Senate no later than the late drop deadline of a regular session course of their first term of academic suspension. Dates are available on the University’s academic calendar. Students should check with their enrollment unit to verify deadline.

The ability to petition for a Stay of Academic Suspension requires: 1) engagement with an academic recovery plan while in Academic Warning, documented in the official University advising system (Petition will require a letter from an adviser) and 2) having 15 or fewer recovery points after all grades are reported for the current term. Petitions for a Stay of Academic Suspension must be submitted to the Faculty Senate by the end of the business day after the last day of final exams. Units of enrollment will set earlier deadlines to receive student material for review and submission to the Faculty Senate. Students should check with their enrollment unit to verify appropriate deadline.

Retroactive Administrative Course and Registration Cancellations will only be considered by the Senate Committee on Education if a student has not participated at all in a course or courses. 

Students requesting retroactive withdrawal, and who have received federal student aid at any time while at Penn State will need to complete a Student Aid Review for Retroactive Withdrawal form prior to submitting their petition. If they have never received federal student aid, then no Student Aid consultation or form is needed.  Obtain the Form and View Instructions.

International students who are requesting a retroactive withdrawal must consult with Penn State Global staff to determine implications for immigration and sponsorship should the petition be approved. When an international student initiates a petition for retroactive withdrawal, Penn State Global  staff will be notified, and will reach out to the student. After consultation with the student has taken place, Penn State Global staff will move the student’s petition along within the system.
In addition, if international students received student aid at any time they were a student at Penn State, they must consult with the Office of Student Aid to discuss possible financial consequences of an approved petition.

THIS LETTER IS NOT A PETITION SUBMISSION. You will provide this petition letter, along with supporting documentation, to your Adviser or College/Campus petition submitter. They will submit your petition for you to the Faculty Senate Office for review. When you click on the "View and Print" Button (below), you will produce a draft of your formatted letter.

ON THE NEXT PAGE. If all information is correct on the draft, use the "Print this page" Button at the bottom (Next Page) to produce your formatted student letter. If not, use the Back Button on your browser to edit the form, and then click the "View and Print" Button on this page again. You can either print your letter to your printer or choose "Microsoft Print to PDF" and save the PDF document to your computer.
PRINTING TIP: When printing, you may want to change your browser settings on your letter to make it look better. When you click on "Print this page" on the formatted letter, in the Print dialog box, click "More settings" and remove the checkmarks from "Headers and footers" and "Background graphics."