Overview
An Academic Dismissal from ISU is a result of failing to meet the requirements of academic probation. A dismissed student is unable to continue enrolling at Iowa State University unless reinstated by an academic college.
Common Reasons for Academic Dismissal
- Students are most often dismissed for failing to maintain the required Grade Point Average (GPA) of their program or college. Each College Academic Standards Committee is responsible for final decisions regarding the academic status of students in that college and any appeals to academic dismissal actions are considered by the college committee.
- Graduate students may be dismissed by their academic department due to unsatisfactory performance or GPA.
Other Reasons for University Dismissal
- Students may be otherwise suspended or expelled from the university due to student conduct violations or illegal actions.
- Procedures to return to the university are handled on a case-by-case basis in accordance with established Dean of Students Office procedures.
Immigration Consequences for Dismissal
- If a student is ineligible to continue at Iowa State University and has not completed their academic program, ISSO has a regulatory obligation to take action on their immigration status in the United States. Students who have been dismissed may have only a short period of time to appeal the decision or pursue other options in the United States.
Immigration Options Following Dismissal
Students who have been dismissed have the following immigration options:
- Receive admission and request a transfer to another U.S. institution
- Apply to change immigration status within the U.S. (if eligible)
- Depart the United States (immediately after or prior to immigration status ending)
Deadline to Transfer or Depart U.S.
- Following notification from academic departments, ISSO will email students their options and timeline. The deadline to transfer or leave the U.S. can be found in this email.
Changing Major
- Students who are dismissed by one college/major cannot immediately transfer to another college/major.
- After the required time away from Iowa State (typically one semester), a student may choose to apply for reinstatement to their previous previous college/major or a different college/major.
Returning to ISU
Dismissed students must complete the following steps to return to ISU:
- Request permission to return to department/college by completing reinstatement application with academic adviser. Read more about this on the Registrar’s Reinstatement after Academic Dismissal webpage.
- Request permission to return to the university by completing the Reentry form with the Office of the Registrar. Read more about this on the Registrar’s Reentry, Returning, and Reinstatement Students webpage.
- Request an updated I-20 or DS-2019 from ISSO by completing the Returning to ISU electronic form in Cystart. Students can read more on ISSO’s Returning to ISU webpage.
Reentry Timeline
- Processing can vary depending on the individual college or departments. Students should apply at least three months in advance to allow enough time for processing.
- Students who are outside of the U.S.:
- After a student's reinstatement (by their college) and reentry (by the Registrar's Office) applications are fully approved, ISSO will process the student's Cystart e-form and issue a new I-20 or DS-2019 within 10 working days.
- Students at another U.S. institution:
- Students wishing to transfer back to ISU must work with the international office at their current institution to request their SEVIS record be transferred to ISU.
- Transfer I-20s can only be issued after the student's SEVIS record has been released to Iowa State University.
Students may contact the ISSO at isso@iastate.edu with any questions or concerns regarding their immigration documents.
Following Academic Reinstatement
As a condition of reinstatement, students will re-enter on academic probation and must meet whatever additional requirements are stipulated by the college Academic Standards Committee.
Transferring Credits to ISU
Students will want to consult with their college and academic adviser to discuss how specific classes will transfer back to ISU.