Student Rights & Responsibilities Office

UFV/Student Rights & Responsibilities Office/Academic integrity & appeals/Academic appeals/Required to withdraw

Required to withdraw

Timelines 

Student's whose academic standing was changed to Require to Withdraw (RTW) at the end of the Winter 2026 semester, and who wish to appeal their status, may submit an RTW appeal by noon on April 30th. Students registered for Summer 2026 should attend classes until they have received a decision.

If you have been Required to Withdraw under Undergraduate Continuance - Policy 92 and seek to register in the upcoming semester, you may appeal your Required to Withdraw status. Your appeal must give special consideration to how you will improve your academic record.

Please note, appeals will only be considered when a situation beyond your control prevented you from meeting the learning outcomes or completing the course. These are circumstances that are unexpected and/or uncontrollable and arise during the semester. Some examples include:

  • Documented physical or mental health concerns
  • Documented significant illness of a family member for which the student was required to provide caregiving
  • Documented evidence of a personal circumstance which significantly hindered the student's ability to be successful, such as the impacts of a natural disaster (including housing insecurity, financial insecurity, ect.), the death of an immediate family or household member, or other  

Students planning to submit an RTW Appeal to return early should do so at least one (1) month before registration starts. After submitting an RTW appeal, students can expect a minimum wait time of three (3) weeks before receiving a decision. 

Things to think about before submitting a Required to Withdraw (RTW) appeal

Are you receiving funding for your education through a government student loan, Indigenous band, or other study grant? If you are Required to Withdraw, this could impact the funding you receive. It could also affect your eligibility for future scholarships and awards. Contact Financial Aid and Awards to find out how a Required to Withdraw status will impact you.

Wondering how to write a strong appeal? Visit Considering an Appeal of your RTW Status for more information. 

If you have been placed on Required to Withdraw (RTW) status, you may submit an appeal asking to continue or return to your studies.

The steps below will help you prepare a strong, well-supported appeal.

 

1

Create your academic plan

Every RTW appeal must include an academic plan. This plan shows the committee how you intend to improve your academic performance and what actions you have already taken.  

Your academic plan should include:

  • The courses you hope to take in your next semester(s)
  • The supports you have accessed
  • The changes you’ve made to approach your studies differently
  • Your goals moving forward

To help build your plan, we strongly recommend meeting with the following supports: 

  • Book with an Academic Advisor:  work together to create a course plan that supports you academic goals and helps you succeed. 
  • Book with a Learning Strategist:  develop practical tools such as study schedules, time-management strategies, and learning techniques that work for you. 
  • Book with a Student Support Navigator : get help identifying all the resources available to you- academic, personal, financial- and learn how to access them. 

These supports are here to help you reflect, reset, and move forward with confidence. 

2

Prepare your appeal

Review the questions on the digital Required to Withdraw Appeal form. Think through your answers, and prepare any additional pages you want to attach.

A strong appeal clearly explains how you will be successful if allowed to continue or return to your studies.

Your written responses should include:

  • Your academic plan and educational goals
  • A clear course plan for the semester(s) ahead
  • An explanation of what has changed in your approach to learning
  • Evidence of supports you have used, such as Academic Advising or Learning Strategist appointments 

Required to Withdraw appeal form

3

Gather supporting documentation

Supporting documents help the committee understand your situation and see the steps you've taken to address the challenges you faced.  

Examples of helpful documentation include:

  • A medical note or health-related documentation
  • Confirmation of an appointment with an Academic Advisor
  • An updated course plan
  • Email communication discussing your academic planning
  • Documents that show any unexpected or uncontrollable circumstances that affected your studies such as letters, notes, programs, etc.

 

4

Submit your appeal

Submit your completed appeal through the digital RTW form.  If you need help or need to submit your appeal in-person, please contact SRRO@ufv.ca 

Please note: RTW Appeals take a minimum of 3 weeks to process. 

If you have already submitted your appeal and want to add more information or documents, email them to SRRO@ufv.ca and they will be added to your file. Please include your student ID number on all emails. 

Appeals are reviewed by a committee chaired by the Executive Director, Student Academic Affairs, as designated by the Registrar.

The decision of the committee is final.

However, in the future, you may be able to submit an Appeal to Return Early from RTW status. 

For further information about RTW status, please review the Undergraduate Continuance Policy (92) and refer to the Academic Calendar.

 

My Required to Withdraw appeal was denied — what is next?

  • 1st RTW: you cannot attend for the following 2 semesters
  • 2nd RTW: you cannot attend for 4 semesters
  • 3rd RTW: readmission will only be considered after 3 years

While you are not able to attend university-level classes, you may be able to enroll in preparatory-level courses through Upgrading and University Preparation. Contact Academic Advising to discuss your options. 

After taking time away and working to address the issues that lead to your RTW status, you may wish to consider submitting an RTW Appeal to Return Early from your Required to Withdraw status. 

Readmission after being withdrawn

After you have been withdrawn for 2 or more semesters, you must apply for readmission. 

You must meet the criteria for admission for the program that you apply to. It is not guaranteed that you will return to the same program. When you are readmitted, you will return on academic probation, as per UFV's Undergraduate Continuance - Policy (92)

Consult with an Academic Advisor about readmission

Academic Advisors can help you understand the readmission process & requirements, and help you create a plan to support your future academic success.

Book an appointment here

For more information about your Required to Withdraw status, look at Undergraduate Continuance - Policy 92.

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