What are the building blocks of a successful appeal?
- Read through the appeal document and ensure you have all required documentation and/or address all topics in your personal narrative the committee will review.
- Take note of appeal deadlines and appeal processing timelines.
- Communicate with the office you are appealing to ensure all documents are received and completed correctly before submission.
What to include in an appeal narrative:
Description of your extenuating or extraordinary circumstances
These are circumstances that inhibit your ability to meet renewal criteria that are outside the normal scope of the student experience that occurred during the semester or year you did not meet criteria. Not all details are necessary; however, we do need to understand how your circumstance affected your ability to be successful in your courses that semester (or year). For instance, if you were experiencing mental health issues as a result of trauma, you do not need to describe the trauma within your narrative. Instead, describe how your mental health affected your ability to e.g., attend class, submit assignments, etc.
Example: Instead of “I had experienced [circumstance] which made my first year difficult”, give more descriptive details about how your circumstances affected your ability to attend class, complete assignments, take tests, or remain on campus, etc.
What resources, steps for recovery or treatments did you pursue to assist with your extenuating or extraordinary circumstances?
What steps did you take to seek help or assistance during the semester or year? This could be seeking out medical support, meeting with your advisor and/or an academic success coach etc. In this section, you will want to show how you sought help and for those you sought help from to provide supporting documentation for your appeal.
What is your plan for meeting renewal criteria in the future and/or are you ready to attend coursework?
This can be your plan to continue seeking help from those mentioned in the prior section and/or new resources you plan to utilize in your upcoming semester. If you are appealing for medical reasons, attaching a note from your medical provider speaking to your ability to return to coursework is highly encouraged.
Note: If you have appealed at multiple points, the “plan for success” section is vital to future approvals due to prior plans not resulting in fulfilling renewal criteria. Part of an appeal committee's duty is to determine if a student has shown they are ready to return and be successful in meeting renewal criteria. If a student continues to not meet renewal criteria and/or academic plans set in place from prior appeals, the student must provide adequate information to showcase they are ready to return. If the committee cannot determine that the student displays a readiness to return, the appeal is likely to be denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I don’t have anyone to write supporting documentation?
If you have not sought assistance from any resources for your extenuating circumstances and do not have supporting documentation, it is important that you seek help now. This aspect of an appeal may be more important to some appeals processes than others. Talk with the department or office who you will be appealing to for advice on next steps. It is possible you may need to appeal after you have supporting documentation in place at a future time.
My appeal was denied, can I appeal again?
If you wish to appeal the denial decision, you must have new information and/or supporting documentation that was not reviewed by the committee in your initial appeal. If you do not have new information, the decision on your appeal circumstances is final. Not all appeal processes allow for a second review with new information, so it is important to contact the office you are appealing with to see if this is a possibility.
If you wish to appeal for a future semester or academic year, this may be possible if you showcase an improvement in the subsequent semesters or are now meeting the required criteria. This is also a great opportunity to seek out resources and campus support to help better the circumstances that lead to the need to appeal.
I didn’t seek out help before, but I want help now. Where can I go?
Campus is full of offices, programs and people who want to help you be successful. Here is a list of resources that we often refer to students who need support after not meeting guidelines for scholarships, financial aid, or are at risk of academic dismissal.
Academic
- Center for Academic Success & Transition: Academic Success Coaching (time management, study skills, and life management help) and free tutoring services.
- Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services (OASIS): Free tutoring services & student success programs.
- College of Engineering Support & Tutoring: Free tutoring for College of Engineering Students.
- College of Business Teaching and Learning Center: Free tutoring appointments for College of Business students.
- The Writing Center: In-person and virtual writing assistance.
- Math Resource Center: Free tutoring for first-year mathematics courses.
- Chemistry Resource Center: Free tutoring for chemistry courses.
Health and Accommodations
- Counseling and Psychological Services: Free mental health counseling for Nebraska students.
- University Health Center: Free primary care services.
- Services for Students with Disabilities: Register and receive an accommodation plan to help with classroom accessibility, such as notetaking software, extended test times, flexibility with attendance policies, etc.
Major and Degree Planning
Meet with your Academic Advisor to help you stay on track for your degree. If you are thinking of switching majors, your advisor can also assist with next steps and preparation for how this may affect the time it takes for you to graduate.
We're Here to Help
Have questions or need assistance? Join our virtual visits to meet with us online.
Virtual Visit Hours:
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. CT