Academic Forms

Here are links to frequently used online forms in the College of Natural Sciences. If you are not sure which form is the appropriate one for your request please read the descriptions below to help you chose the correct one.

Credit Overload Petition

Use the Credit Overload Petition form to request an increase in your credit limit. In the fall and spring semesters, if you are full time and want to take more than 19 credits or part-time and want to take more than 11 credits, you must request a credit overload. The following are general guidelines used in determining if a credit overload is warranted: 3.0 GPA for 20 credits; 3.3 GPA for 21 credits; 3.5 GPA for 22 credits; 3.7 GPA for 23-25 credits. No overloads over 25 credits will be allowed. No overloads will be approved if students have any Incomplete grades. Students must understand that these are guidelines and are only one item factored into a decision - a 3.3 GPA doesn't necessarily guarantee approval of 21 credits. If approved for a credit overload, students are not allowed to register for the extra courses via SPIRE until mid summer for fall semester and mid December for spring semester.

This online form cannot be used for summer or winter session - you must come to 220 Morrill II to complete a petition for a credit overload. As a general rule, credit overloads will not be even be considered for students whose GPA is below 3.0.

For summer session, the maximum credit load for Session One is 4 credits; for Sessions Two and Three, 7 credits each; no more than 14 credits total for the summer term. Additional credits require overload approval from your academic dean and will only be granted for extenuating circumstances.

In wintersession, over 4 credits constitutes an overload — NOTE Winter session is extremely intensive, you should expect to have to put in at least 40 hours of course work per week, per course!

It is VERY unusual for CNS to allow a credit overload for winter session - a student would have to have VERY extenuating circumstances to appeal.

Late Withdrawal Petition

Following add/drop and until the mid semester date, you can withdraw from any course with a "W" by using the University's Course Change Request form. A "W" will appear on your transcript. You should get your instructor's signature to let him or her know you are withdrawing from the course, then bring the signed form to the Registrar's office in 209 Whitmore.

After the mid-semester date, students must submit a Late Withdrawal Petition in order to appeal to withdraw from a course. There must be extenuating circumstances to justify your request, e.g. illness, family emergency, etc. Students must provide verification of circumstances. Poor performance in a course is NOT a reason to request a late withdrawal.

The CNS Advising Committee will review all requests for late withdrawals and will notify the student of the final decision. The committee meets once a week to review requests. Students must continue to attend class and complete all coursework until notified if a late withdrawal was approved. Filing a late withdrawal petition does NOT mean you are withdrawn from a class.