Dismissal Appeal Process and Deadlines

Dismissal Appeal Deadline

The dismissal appeal form will be available beginning on Tuesday, December 29, 2026 (once email notifications are sent to students regarding their academic standings).

Your dismissal appeal must be submitted BEFORE 4:00 p.m. on Monday, January 4, 2027. At exactly 4:00 p.m., the appeal form will automatically close. Once the form closes, you will not be able to submit an appeal, and late appeals cannot be accepted.

  • Do not wait until the deadline. Each semester, some students wait until the final day (or even the final hour) to submit their appeal and miss the deadline. We strongly encourage you to submit your appeal early so that you have time to address any unexpected technical issues.
  • Make sure you are submitting the correct appeal. The dismissal appeal and the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal are separate processes with different forms, requirements, and deadlines. Submitting a SAP appeal does not count as submitting a dismissal appeal. Carefully review your communications so you are clear about which appeal you need to complete and when it is due. Learn more about SAP.
  • Late appeals are not accepted. There are no exceptions, including not checking official UConn email or being out of the country at the close of the semester. Communications are sent regarding this process well in advance (during the academic semester) to allow students ample time to prepare for the process. The university is able to verify exactly when academic standing and dismissal process communications are opened by a student.

Submitting an Academic Dismissal Appeal

Note the following before submitting your appeal: 

  1. Be prepared: Begin gathering your appeal materials as soon as you receive the notification about the upcoming dismissal process on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, particularly if you may need medical or other supporting documentation. Receiving this notification does not mean that you are subject to dismissal. However, we strongly encourage you to begin preparing responses to the appeal questions and to connect with your academic success advisor and other support resources before the end of the semester. Preparing early will give you more time to gather the information and support you may need if you are later notified that you are subject to dismissal.
  2. If you receive the official notification that you are subject to dismissal on Tuesday, December 29, 2026, submit your appeal as soon as possible.
    • Save your notification email as you will need it. As soon as you receive it, open your dismissal appeal link to confirm it works, and bookmark it for future access. This link is unique to your appeal form, just like the ASP.
    • Use a computer (laptop, desktop) to ensure that the appeal is received. If a cell phone is used, the appeal submission may not be successful.
    • Students will not be able to submit an appeal until they have been officially notified that they are subject to dismissal and receive their individual links to the form.

Check out the slides below for more in-depth tips, information, and resources for submitting your dismissal appeal. 

            Tips for Submitting your Dismissal Appeal

            Dismissal Appeal Questions

            To view an example of the Dismissal Appeal form, including all questions, click one of the following links:

            To be best prepared in the event that you are subject to dismissal at the close of the semester, students are strongly encouraged to prepare a draft of the dismissal appeal form and obtain any necessary documentation prior to when the appeal form opens on Tuesday, December 29, 2026.

              Dismissal Appeal Documentation

              Students may upload up to 3 documents. If they have more than 3 documents that they wish to submit, they can scan and save them as a single document for upload.  All University of Connecticut libraries have scanners that you can access, but you can also use scanning tools on your mobile phone to upload documents.

              Students who are not subject to dismissal will not have access to the dismissal appeal form.

              • If a student has received communication from their school/college about a "supplementary dismissal" from their major or program, or if they think they may be in academic jeopardy or have questions about their academic standing, they can contact their Advising Center/Office at Storrs or the Student Services Office at their regional campus.

              Once a student has successfully submitted their appeal, they will receive a confirmation email that will include a summary of the appeal. The email will not include a copy of the uploaded files.

              Please know while we will make every effort to review your appeal as soon as possible, it may not be reviewed immediately upon receipt.

              • Note that all University employees are mandated reporters of child abuse or child neglect. In addition, UConn employees have responsibilities to report to the Office of Institutional Equity student disclosures of sexual assault and related interpersonal violence; any information you submit in this appeal is subject to UConn reporting policies. If you feel you need more immediate assistance or support, we encourage you to reach out to the Dean of Students Office and/or Student Health and Wellness- Mental Health. In addition, if you have concerns related to sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and/or stalking, we encourage you to review the resources and reporting options available at https://titleix.uconn.edu.

              What to Include in your Dismissal Appeal

              This does not guarantee your retention at the university.

              • Ensure you submit your appeal by the published deadline. Late appeals are NOT accepted.
                Fill out all sections of the appeal form. Take time to reflect on your answers and fully respond to each question.
              • Include a clear but concise narrative of any additional factors and extenuating circumstances that led to your current academic status for full consideration in this process as well as any steps that you have taken to resolve any issues or improve your academic performance.
                • Examples of additional factors or extenuating circumstances: illness, death in the family, mental health struggles, changes in living situation.
                • A clear narrative does not require you to disclose all of the specifics of circumstances that you are not comfortable sharing.
              • Remember to include all pertinent documentation to support your appeal. This documentation should be on letterhead, where applicable.
                • This might include:
                  • Medical documentation
                  • Letter from course instructors
                  • Other supporting documentation
              • Read through your appeal carefully before you hit the submit button.

              If you are having trouble filling out your appeal form or have any questions about what to include in your appeal, reach out to your academic advisor for assistance.

              Dismissal Decision Criteria

              Your dismissal review will consider the following key areas, as well as any other relevant factors impacting your academic performance and likelihood of academic success in future semesters.
              Explanation of Circumstances
              • Did the student clearly and honestly explain the circumstances affecting their academic performance (e.g., personal, health, financial, or other challenges)?
              Addressing Challenges
              • Did the student take meaningful steps to address or manage challenges affecting academic performance?
              Plan for Improvement
              • Does the student have a realistic, detailed plan to improve their academic performance going forward (e.g., specific strategies such as time management, tutoring, course load adjustments)?
              Engagement with Campus Resources
              • Has the student made use of campus programs or resources (such as tutoring, counseling, advising, workshops, or success centers)?
              Likelihood of Academic Success
              • Based on the student’s GPA over time, earned vs attempted credits, engagement, and plan for academic success moving forward, how likely is the student to succeed academically if retained

              Dismissal Appeal Resources