Appeal Overview

Learn about appeals related to academic standing at BC.

Bellevue College Student Success Center

Guidelines

Credit Restriction Appeals

  • Your credit limit will automatically increase to 10 credits after you earn a term GPA of 2.0 or higher for two consecutive terms.
  • If you continue to improve and earn a term GPA of 3.0 or higher after being moved to 10 credits, you may submit an appeal to have your credit restriction reviewed.
  • If you choose to appeal before meeting the criteria above, you must clearly explain the extenuating circumstances that impacted your academic standing and include documentation when available.
  • Appeals must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the term.
Credit Restriction Appeal

Dismissal Appeals

  • Appeals must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the term.
  • As part of your appeal, you are required to:
    • Provide a clear explanation of the extenuating circumstances that impacted your academic standing and include documentation when available.
    • Schedule a dismissal appeal appointment with a member of the Student Success and Retention team (see below for scheduling links) to develop an educational plan. Your educational plan must:
      • be signed
      • be limited to 8 credits per term
      • outline the courses you will take over the next four terms to make progress toward your degree, certificate, or academic goal.
  • Students returning after a one year dismissal period are still required to follow the appeal guidelines above.

Appointments are scheduled through Microsoft Bookings, and you’ll need to be logged in with your Bellevue College email to access the system. Appointment availability is posted up to three weeks in advance. If you don’t see a time that works for you, check back after midnight when new appointments are released.

Academic Dismissal Appeal

  • Take time to reflect on what you truly want from your education. College can be difficult when you are balancing competing priorities or when your academic and career goals are unclear. Giving yourself space to regroup can help you return more focused and prepared.
  • Consider attending another institution. You may find a different environment to be a better fit. If you take a class elsewhere and perform well, you can include that success in a future appeal to demonstrate readiness.

  • Taking some time to reflect on your goals is one of the best ways to develop a plan of success in the future. 
  • If you sit out one year, you may qualify for Academic Renewal. Academic renewal at Bellevue College allows eligible students to improve their transcript by replacing grades from selected terms with an “X,” which does not count toward their GPA. This one-time, irreversible option is available to students who return after at least a one-year break (four consecutive terms) and earn a B- quarterly and cumulative GPA in three (3) consecutive terms starting immediately upon the student’s return to the college; or the student has completed all coursework and requirements necessary for degree or certificate completions, and has applied for graduation.

  • Students returning after a one-year academic dismissal must still follow the appeal process outlined above.
  • If the appeal is approved, students will return with a credit restriction.
  • Students who have sat out for a full academic year may qualify for Academic Renewal.