Academic Disqualification - Undergraduate Students
As per USF's undergraduate student regulations and policies, academic disqualification constitutes the termination of a student's relationship with the University for unsatisfactory academic performance. A disqualified student may not register in any of the University's classes and is denied all privileges of student status.
The following students are subject to disqualification:
- Students who, after being placed on academic probation, fail to achieve a 2.0 (C) average for the work undertaken during the probationary semester.
- See additional criteria for disqualification of students in the School of Nursing and Health Professions: Undergraduate Student Regulations.
Appealing Academic Disqualification
Undergraduate students who have been academically disqualified from the University of San Francisco are not eligible to enroll or continue in any course work at USF without going through an appeal process and being approved for reinstatement. To formally appeal academic disqualification, students must submit the required appeal materials to be reviewed by the Academic Disqualification Appeals Committee.
Note: If you have been previously dismissed and subsequently approved for reinstatement, then disqualified again, you can qualify for an additional disqualification appeal once you have provided the items below:
- An official transcript from another higher education institution.
- Academic record reflects a 3.0 GPA or higher with a minimum of 12 credits.
Official transcripts can be sent directly to the Back on Track email address: backontrack@usfca.edu. We hold academic dismissal appeals for returning students twice per year (November and June). If your appeal is approved to return to USF, please note that transfer credit from another institution is not guaranteed to be accepted at USF (please see policy).
If you have any questions or concerns about the Academic Disqualification appeal process, you can contact your CASA academic success coach via email or contact backontrack@usfca.edu.
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines:
- Appeal application opens: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 9 AM Pacific Time
- Appeal application submission deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
- Optional recommender support submission deadline: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
- Appeal Application Meetings: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 through Thursday, January 22, 2026 by appointment via Zoom
Appeal Application Materials and Instructions
In your own words (refrain from using AI tools), your thoughtful and very thorough response to the appeal application questions are essential for a successful appeal. The committee will review your responses for the following: awareness of obstacles preventing academic success, examples of changes made to improve academic performance, major fit, and a realistic degree completion timeline.
A strong application will include articulating specific examples of changes made and plans you have to ensure future academic success at USF. An appeal meeting, if scheduled, is an opportunity for the Academic Dismissal Appeal Committee to ask follow up questions from your appeal application materials.
The application portal will be available starting Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Students must submit all petition materials by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 (late submissions are not accepted).
Notice about Medical Documentation.
If you experienced medical issues that impacted your academic success, please upload relevant documentation in the appropriate area on your petition application.
You may choose to submit a recommendation to support your case for reinstatement. Having a strong recommendation will strengthen your overall appeal application, but it is not required. A strong recommendation would come from an instructor or someone who can speak to your ability to succeed at USF. Once you have selected your recommender(s), you may use the link below to provide the contact information for your recommender(s), and a direct email with an online submission form will be sent to them. You will be notified via email once the recommendation has been received.
Please contact your recommender in advance to (1) ask for their permission to complete a recommendation on your behalf, (2) let them know the due date, and (3) give them time to complete the form. The recommender can be a USF instructor or staff member (not your CASA academic success coach), high school teacher/counselor, therapist, or employer; or anyone who is not related to you (peers/friends are also excluded).
The submission deadline for the recommender's support is Wednesday, January 14, 2026 by 11:59pm. Please submit this recommender contact information as soon as possible, as that will give more time to your recommenders to complete their recommendation on your behalf. If your recommender does not submit a recommendation by the deadline, it will not be included in your application.
You may be assigned a time for an appeal meeting which would take place via Zoom on January 20, 21, or 22, 2026 between 9am - 5pm, so please be available during this time frame. If you are unable to be available on this date, you may want to consider appealing at a future date. After submitting your appeal, please check your email frequently to make sure you receive messages regarding a meeting time, as you will need to confirm your availability as soon as possible.
Appeal Application Review Process
The Academic Disqualification Appeals Committee will review all the application materials and base a decision on the following:
- Academic Probation Contract Fulfillment: 1-on-1 meetings with success coach during probationary semester
- Written Appeal: Thorough responses to these topic areas: awareness of obstacles preventing academic success, examples of changes made to improve academic performance, major fit, and degree completion timeframe (refrain from using AI tools)
- Appeal Meeting (if scheduled): Thorough responses to follow up questions asked by the Disqualification Appeals Committee during the meeting.
If your appeal is approved, you will be reinstated and eligible to return to USF classes immediately based on any Committee conditions and recommendations. If your appeal is not approved, you will not be eligible to return to USF for the following semester. The Academic Disqualification Committee will provide you with feedback about your appeal materials and may allow you to go through the appeal process again in a future semester. You can contact our office by May 1 for fall re-entry and November 1 for spring re-entry for the appeal instructions.
Many students have told us that it was helpful for them to take time away from USF before deciding to go through the Academic Disqualification process. We recommend consulting with your success coach to receive assistance, advice, and counsel during this time of reflection and discernment.
Helpful Preparation for Application Completion
Below are the appeal questions asked on the application; you may want to thoughtfully consider your responses prior to receiving the application link. Once the application link is sent to you, you must complete it at one time, or your link may become invalid. If your link becomes invalid, please contact backontrack@usfca.edu.
Suggestion: Write up the responses to your questions in another spot (like a word processing document) and copy/paste your responses into the application in one sitting, as you will not be able to save your work and go back to it within the application form.
Application Questions:
- Explain in detail why your grades fell below academic standards (if you experienced medical issues, please include any medical documentation).
- Did you complete all of the Back on Track program requirements as stated in your academic probation contract? If not, please explain why you didn't complete them.
- Explain specific examples of changes you have made to ensure future academic success at USF.
- Describe why you believe you will be more successful at USF, if reinstated.
- What is your major?
- Why did you select this major?
- What is your major GPA?
- If reinstated, what would be reasons why this major may or may not work for you?
- What are your career goals?
- Explain your graduation timeline including the amount of credits needed and date of completion.
Appeal Process Visual Overview
