Academic Dismissal Petition FAQs

The following deadline information is for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters:

Petition availability varies for each semester. Exact dates change based on the registration dates for the current calendar year. You may expect information to be made available April 1st for every new academic year. 

To be eligible to petition to enroll after academic dismissal, you will:

• Need to have completed the sit-out period for level of academic dismissal
• Have an active application for admission on file to attend NVC 
• Have no registration holds that would impact your ability to enroll in classes

In order to ensure the petition experience is a good one, please read the following helpful tips:

• Take your time in completing the Time Matters activity and plan to the best of your ability what your schedule might look like with the addition of returning to college, attending class, completing assignments, etc.

• Read the Paving My Path Reflection Statement directions very carefully. There are three areas that you need to address in your essay- reflections, planning for the future, and present opportunities. Please take time to reflect on what events, actions, and decisions resulted in your current academic standing. Be descriptive regarding what you envision your future to look like and how you plan to achieve those goals. State the actions you will take to ensure you get where you are going.

• Please make sure to address what changes you have made and detail your plan to be academically successful.

You will submit your petition packet documents through an easy-to-use online App. Due to security and privacy concerns, we do not accept paper submissions. This helps ensure that your documents are received through a secure location and do not get misplaced. If you did submit the documents as directed, you will proceed to the last step of the petition process, which is to meet with an academic advisor.

There are two dates for each petition season, the "priority date" and the "final deadline" for submission. 

If all steps are completed as directed by the priority deadline, you are guaranteed to receive a link to schedule your dismissal interview. If you do not utilize the link provided to schedule your interview, you will forfeit the guaranteed opportunity to interview and will be scheduled if sessions are still available. 

If all steps are completed as directed after the priority deadline but by the final deadline for submission, you will receive a link to schedule your interview via email on a first-come, first-served basis, until interview sessions are full and SDEV0171 classes are filled.  Please allow up to four (4) business days for a response.

No extensions on deadlines are provided.

Once you have completed the PASS course modules and submitted your documents as directed, the Academic Standards Team will provide you with a link to schedule your dismissal interview via your ACEs student email. 

**As we have limited spots each semester we highly recommend that you complete the petition process as early in the petition period as possible. Once all Dismissal Interviews have filled, students will have to wait until the following semester to petition. 

**Missed interview sessions, especially without prior notification, may only be rescheduled once, if Dismissal Interviews are available. A second missed appointment will result in automatic denial of your petition for the semester.

Students will meet with a certified academic advisor (either in person or by Zoom) to discuss their plan to be successful. During the interview, the advisor will work with a student to develop a plan that will enable them to be successful upon return. In addition, specific resources and support services will be recommended. If the petition is approved, the student will be eligible to register. You will also be registered for the required Strategies for Success course (SDEV0171) if applicable. More information regarding this class is provided in the PASS canvas course and discussed during the dismissal interview.  

Decisions are normally made upon conclusion of the interview, but if the advisor requires additional information, may take up to one week of meeting with an advisor. Remember, submitting a petition does NOT guarantee your petition will be approved.  Decisions are based upon the student's ability to demonstrate they can be successful upon return if approved. All decisions will be sent to the student's ACES email only. It is important to check this email on a regular basis to ensure you receive all communications from Northwest Vista College.

If Approved:

- You will be required to adhere to all petition requirements indicated on the Contract for Student on Academic Dismissal. These requirements include but are not limited to:

• earn a "C" or higher in all enrolled courses, to include the mandatory 0171 course
• Meet with your assigned advisor during the semester, preferably before the start of registration for the upcoming semester
• Complete the semester with a semester institutional GPA of 2.0 or higher 

Failure to complete all requirements may result in non-compliance for your petition and possible sit-out period of up to a full academic year if placed on another level of academic dismissal.

If Not Approved:

- The advisor will provide you with information via ACES email on steps to take in order to petition for an upcoming semester.