Types of academic petitions
Academic petitions are used for specific academic requests. Review the situations below to understand when a petition may be needed and what options are available.
Deadlines vary by petition type and term. Use the Academic Calendar and select your term and year to view the correct dates. Full policy details are available in the WSU Academic Regulations.
Dropping a class after the deadline
You may drop a class in myWSU without it appearing on your transcript until the published drop deadline. After that date, you may withdraw from the course in myWSU and receive a W grade.
Submit a petition if you are requesting a late drop instead of a withdrawal due to extraordinary circumstances.
View the “Deadline for dropping a course without record” in the Academic Calendar for your term.
Changing the grading option for a class
Students may change grading options for eligible courses through the third week of fall or spring term.
Submit a petition if you are requesting a grading option change after the deadline, such as changing from letter grade to Pass/Fail, audit, or another available option.
View the “Last day to change enrollment from credit to audit and audit to credit” and “Last day to change enrollment from letter graded to pass/fail” dates in the Academic Calendar for your term.
Withdrawing from a class
After the drop deadline and before the withdrawal deadline, you may withdraw from a course in myWSU. Withdrawn courses appear on your transcript with a W grade.
Undergraduate and professional students are allowed up to four withdrawals during their academic career. This does not apply to graduate students.
Submit a petition if you have reached the withdrawal limit or were unable to withdraw by the deadline.
View the “Deadline for undergraduate and professional students to withdraw from a course” in the Academic Calendar for your term.
Term withdrawal (withdrawing from all classes)
If you need to withdraw from all classes for the current term, submit a Current Term Withdrawal in myWSU.
A petition is required only if you:
- Missed the term withdrawal deadline, or
- Are requesting an exception such as a tuition adjustment beyond standard policy
Review WSU’s current term withdrawal refund policy before submitting a petition related to tuition adjustments. View the “Deadline to withdraw from current term” in the Academic Calendar for your term.
How the petition process works
- Submit the petition form with all required documentation.
- The Petition Committee reviews your request and supporting materials.
- A non-refundable $10 petition processing fee will be charged to your student account.
- Most petitions are reviewed within 2–6 weeks.
- You receive the decision by email.
The Petition Committee is made up of advisors and administrators who determine whether documented circumstances justify an exception to academic policy.
Documentation requirements
All petitions must include documentation that clearly explains what happened, when it happened, and how it affected your ability to meet academic deadlines.
Examples of acceptable documentation
Non-medical documentation
- Letters or emails from advisors or instructors
- Financial aid or employment documentation
- Court records
- Official emails or letters explaining non-attendance or administrative issues
- Death certificate
Medical documentation
- Letter from a healthcare provider on official letterhead
- Documentation from WSU Vancouver Health and Counseling Services or Student Accommodations
Do not submit full medical records, charts, or post-appointment summaries. Documentation must include relevant dates and a clear connection to the academic issue being petitioned.
Instructor or advisor feedback (when required)
Some petitions require instructor or advisor feedback, such as requests to audit a course or change grading options after the deadline.
To obtain feedback:
- Email the Instructor Feedback Form to your instructor using your WSU email account.
- The instructor submits the form using their Network ID.
- Attach the completed form to your petition submission.
Checklist before submitting
Before submitting your petition, confirm that:
- The petition form is complete and clearly explains your request.
- All supporting documentation is attached.
- Required instructor or advisor feedback forms are included, if applicable
Incomplete petitions may delay review or result in denial.
Submit a petition
Before submitting a petition, review the petition types above to confirm that a petition is the appropriate process for your request.
Undergraduate and Professional Program (Nursing) students
Submit your petition using the Undergraduate Petition Form:
Petition Fee
A non-refundable processing fee will be billed to your student account for academic petitions requesting exceptions to deadlines or withdrawal limits, regardless of whether your petition is approved.
Graduate students
Submit graduate academic petitions through the Graduate School Student Forms Center.
Work with your graduate program coordinator if you have questions about the graduate petition process.
Obtaining instructor feedback
Some petitions require instructor input before submission.
If required, share the Instructor Feedback Form with your instructor using your WSU email account. Your instructor must complete and submit the form; students should not submit the form on their behalf.
Frequently asked questions about academic petitions
Petitions are reviewed approximately every two weeks, and most decisions are issued within 4–6 weeks.
All documentation must be submitted with the petition at the time of submission.
No. SAP appeals must be submitted separately through Student Financial Services. If you have questions, contact van.finaid@wsu.edu.
It depends on the outcome of the petition and your academic standing. Some students may still need to apply for academic reinstatement.
In most cases, yes. Continue attending class unless instructed otherwise.