Petition Explainers

APPROVED REASONS

Your statement of explanation must be for issues that are "serious, compelling, and beyond your control." Typical examples include things like:

mental or physical illness or situations
a significant change in financial status or job
a significant change in work schedule your employer required
loss or significant issues with family or loved ones or living situation
change or issue for someone you are primary caregiver

NOT-APPROVED REASONS

I know the following are impactful, but they don't meet the criteria. These are some examples:

transition to university academics
transition to university life
living away from family for first time
not balancing work, school, and personal responsibilities

However, if any of the above lead to mental health diagnoses/treatment, the mental health diagnosis and treatment would likely meet the criteria.

Video explainer of the "reasons":

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

The University requires "third-party documentation." A "third-party" means a formal office/business/provider/entity. It can not be something like a note from a parent, friend, photos, or job schedule.

Must be on formal letterhead or from the institution. Can be printout of after-visit summary, for example. Can be a note from a healthcare provider on professional letterhead. Can be things like accident report, birth or death certificate, obituary notice, eviction notice, layoff notice or letter from boss stating they changed your work hours or your work status.
Diagnoses, treatment, etc. does not need to be explicitly stated but we do need to see your name (or one you are caregiving for) and dates that correspond to impacting the semester for which you seek adjustment.
Things like printouts of financial aid, degree evaluation, or academic accommodations are not accepted as third-party documentation.

OPTIONS FOR WITHDRAWAL:

One or more classes OR Entire Term

If you are withdrawing from one class for a term, you select "Single Course" in the drop-down of "requested action." (See image to right.)

Once you select this, another row appears and you write in the course prefix and number (e.g., PSFA 305W) (See image to right.)

If you are withdrawing from more than one class but not every class, you select "Single Course" and submit one petition for each class. You can use the same statement and same documentation for the different classes in the same semester.

If you are withdrawing from ALL your courses, you select "withdraw from all courses."

ATTENTION:

FINANCIAL AND OTHER IMPACTS

FROM LATE SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENT AND RETROACTIVE WITHDRAWALS

Financial Impacts from adding classes*

*This is only some examples I see; it is not everything. Please refer to the Registrar's webpage here for understanding impacts and referrals.

Out of state and international will have to pay additional fees when adding classes (maybe even if adding/dropping same course but different sections)
If you were part-time and go above part-time status you will have to pay full-time
Your financial aid may be impacted. Talk to Financial Aid for your situation and aid package.
Please visit Bursar's website or talk to their office to understand the impact.
There is a $20 fee for each petition approved. You won't be added until you arrange for payment.

Impacts from withdrawing from class(es) *

*This is only some examples I see; it is not everything. Please refer to the Registrar's webpage here for understanding impacts and referrals.

Full-time status is 12 units and is required for financial aid, many scholarships (SDSU and external), and other situations. Dropping below 12 units may have serious impacts on aid and your other responsibilities. Check with all of them before submitting a petition
There is a $20 fee for each petition approved. You will not be withdrawn until this is paid.

Video explainer of the "Impacts":

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