Disqualification FAQ

Academic disqualification means that a student has not met the grade point average requirements (GPA) to continue taking classes at Ball State University. Students must maintain an accumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to remain in good academic standing. If a student is academically disqualified, they will be required to step away from the university for two semesters. After their two-semester break, they may apply for reinstatement to return to the university.  

Students that have been academically disqualified will receive an email to their Ball State email address alerting them of their academic standing. The email will contain the deadline for the appeal information to be submitted to the Office of Registrar at registrar@bsu.edu. The following materials are requested: 

  • Narrative Statement-Students should provide a statement outlining the extenuating circumstances that contributed to their academic struggles as it pertains to the semester in question. 

  • Supporting Documentation-Students should provide any and all documentation that supports the extenuating circumstances described in the Narrative Statement. 

Appeal decisions will be made by the Disqualification Review Committee. Students will be notified of the appeal decision through their Ball State email address. 

It is ok if you choose not to process a disqualification appeal. After the disqualification appeal deadline, we will cancel your schedule for the upcoming semester if one exists. Your housing contract will also be cancelled at that time if applicable. You may return to Ball State by filling out a reinstatement application after stepping away for two (2) semesters. 

This does not change the appeal process for you. However, if your disqualification appeal is denied for a second time you will be required to step away from Ball State University for three (3) years following the second disqualification. 

The Academic Disqualification Appeal process and the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal for financial aid eligibility are different and must each be completed separately of one another. However, if the circumstances around your academic disqualification and failure to maintain the standards required for SAP are the same, you may use the same narrative statement and documentation for both appeal processes. For more information regarding the SAP appeal process, please click here. 

It is imperative that you fill out the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal for Financial Aid form for Financial Aid and submit the required documentation just as it is requested to finaid@bsu.edu for the SAP Appeal in addition to submitting a narrative statement and the required documentation to registrar@bsu.edu for the Academic Disqualification Appeal if you intend to submit both appeals. 

Students are required to provide the following documents as part of their appeal packet: 

  • Narrative Statement-Students should provide a statement outlining the extenuating circumstances that contributed to their academic struggles as it pertains to the semester in question. 

  • Supporting Documentation-Students should provide all documentation that supports the extenuating circumstances described in the Narrative Statement. Examples of documentation may include obituaries, doctor/hospital notes, lease information, etc. 

The information above is the bare minimum for an appeal. There may be circumstances when students are asked to supply more information. If that is the case, this will be communicated to the student in the initial disqualification notification email or through a separate email to their Ball State email address. 

The Office of Housing and Residential Life will contact students through their Ball State email address once academic standing has been updated with detailed information about next steps.  

If a student successfully completes a disqualification appeal, their housing contract will remain in place. If the student’s disqualification appeal is denied or they choose not to appeal, their housing contract will be canceled, and they will be given a move out date before the beginning of the upcoming semester. 

If your disqualification appeal is approved, then you will remain in your upcoming semester classes. 

If your disqualification appeal is denied or you do not submit an appeal, your upcoming semester classes will be canceled.  

Yes. If your disqualification appeal is denied, your schedule for the upcoming semester will be cancelled. Your charges for tuition and fees will also be credited to your Student Financial Services (SFS) account. 

Unfortunately, no. Students must have all materials submitted to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@bsu.edu by the published deadline in order to be considered for a disqualification appeal. 

You will be contacted by email through your Ball State email address concerning your disqualification appeal decision.  

  • Approved-Follow the instructions given in the email. Students are asked to meet with their Academic Advisor as soon as possible to register for ID 298 to assist them with their academic progress. Students will also be given tools to utilize to meet their academic goals. 

  • Denied-Students that have had their disqualification appeal denied will have their schedules and housing contracts cancelled for upcoming semesters. They will also be required to step away from Ball State for two (2) semesters (three years if this is your second disqualification). Students may return through the reinstatement application process. 

Students will be contacted through their Ball State email address about disqualification appeal decisions. 

You will need to apply for reinstatement by using the free Special Undergraduate Application Request form. If you have attended any other college or university during your time away from Ball State, please include a complete, original copy of your transcript from that institution. Please note that if you are reinstated, you will return on academic probation until your grade point average (GPA) reaches the required minimum. 

Yes, summer counts as a semester when counting the number of semesters students can return after a disqualification. 

  • If a student is disqualified in Fall, they may return the next Fall. 

  • If a student is disqualified in Spring, they may return the next Spring. 

  • If a student is disqualified in Summer, they may return the next Summer. 

Yes, you can take classes at another college or university after being academically disqualified. Upon your return to Ball State we will ask you to provide a complete, original transcript with your reinstatement application. Any eligible transfer credit will be applied to your record. 

Please note that you will be required to earn a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in order to return to Ball State if you choose to attend another institution.  

When students are reinstated through the appeal process or reinstatement application process, they are placed on academic probation. They remain on academic probation until their accumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or higher. Until that time, students are required to continue to meet the appropriate term GPA to remain on academic probation.  

  • 2.1 or higher term GPA for students who have earned 30 or more credit hours 

  • 2.0 or higher term GPA for students who have earned 29 or less credit hours 

If they do not, then they are subject to academic disqualification again and will have to step away from the university for 3 full years.