Separation FAQ

Academic separation 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 separated, 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 separated will receive an email to their Ball State address alerting them of their academic standing in the days following final grades are posted for the semester. The email will contain detailed information on how to submit an appeal as well as the deadline date. The following materials are requested:  

  • Narrative Responses to Questions - Students are asked to describe in detail the circumstances that contributed to their academic separation during the semester they were separated, and how they will meet academic progress standards if their appeal is approved.
  • Supporting Documentation - When possible, students should provide documentation evidence that supports their appeal, including evidence of circumstances that contributed to their academic standing as well as evidence to support their plan for meeting academic progress standards during the term they are requesting to return.

Appeals are reviewed by a committee that includes representatives from the Office of the Registrar, University College, Housing and Residential Life, the office of the Dean of Students, Cardinal Central, and Ball State Online. Students will be notified of the committee’s decision via their Ball State email address in the days following the request for reinstatement deadline.  

It is ok if you choose not to process a separation appeal. After the separation 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 separation 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 separation. 

No. Although Academic Standing (AS) and the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid eligibility are different, Ball State has created a system so that students do not have to submit 2 separate appeals. However, because academic appeals to return to the university and appeals for financial aid continuation are separate decisions that are reviewed at differing times of the year, the procedure can be different depending on the semester. As such, affected students should pay attention to instructions provided to their Ball State email address. For more information regarding the SAP appeal process, please click here. 

It is imperative that you fill out the Academic Standing/Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form through the Ball State Cardinal Central Portal prior to the designated deadline.

To submit your appeal:

  1. Sign in with your Ball State username and password
  2. Click Forms at the top of the page
  3. Click AS/SAP Appeal Form
  4. Complete the Form and submit it

For further questions concerning AS/SAP Appeals please contact cardinalcentral@bsu.edu.

Students should submit any documentation evidence that supports their responses to the questions they will be asked to answer as part of their request for reinstatement, including 1) circumstances that contributed to their academic separation standing, and 2) evidence to support their plan for meeting academic progress standards in the upcoming term. Examples could include documentation of personal illness or injury, death notices or illness or injury evidence of an immediate family member, a letter from their academic advisor or a faculty member indicating the student is taking steps to meet academic progress standards in future semesters. 

After submitting their appeal, students might be asked for additional information or documentation. If that is the case, students will be contacted via 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 separation appeal, their housing contract will remain in place. If the student’s separation 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 separation appeal is approved, then you will remain in your upcoming semester classes. 

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

Yes. If your separation 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 separation appeal. 

You will be contacted via your Ball State email address concerning your separation appeal decision in the days following the appeal deadline. 

  • Approved - Follow the instructions given in the email. Students must register for ID 298 immediately and will be invited to meet with their primary academic advisor so that their advisor can support their success throughout the semester.
  • Denied - Students whose appeal is declined will have their schedules and housing contracts cancelled for upcoming semesters. They are unable to take classes at Ball State for 2 consecutive semesters (first separation) or 3 years (not their first separation).

Students will be contacted through their Ball State email address about separation 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 warning 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 separation. 

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

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

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

Yes, you can take classes at another college or university after being academically separated. 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 warning. They remain on academic warning 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 warning.  

  • 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 separation again and will have to step away from the university for 3 full years.