UNF: Academic Grade Appeals

Students may appeal a final course grade following the process described here. The process is governed by Appeal Academic Grades policy (2.0340P). The process is administered through the Dean of Students Office in partnership with the University Academic Appeals Committee and Provost’s Office. For more information, see the UNF-UFF Collective Bargaining Agreement under Article 10, Academic Freedom and Responsibility.

Students must initiate the grade appeal process within 90-days from the date final grades are posted. A grade of Incomplete (I) may not be appealed.

Reasons to Appeal

A student may appeal a final grade if they believe the grade was assigned:

Arbitrarily or capriciously, OR

Contrary to the criteria announced in the course, OR

For constitutionally and/or legally impermissible reasons

How to Appeal

A student who wishes to appeal their final grade must follow the steps outlined below within the time limits given. Students may withdraw or cancel their appeal at any stage by communicating that decision or failing to meet the requirements of the next appeal stage.

Appeal Process

1. Complete an Intent to Request a Grade Appeal form

Completing the Intent form allows you to connect with the Dean of Students Office, who can help you understand the required steps and timeline to follow throughout the process.
2. Reach out to your faculty member

Students requesting a grade change must initiate an appeal to the faculty member. The faculty member should provide a written response within ten (10) days after receiving the request. The faculty member can approve the grade change or deny the request. If the faculty member denies the request or does not respond within ten (10) class days, the student can move forward.
3. Reach out to the department chair

If a faculty member denied the grade change request, or did not respond within the allotted time, students then have ten (10) class days to reach out to the department chair. The department chair may consult with the faculty member and should provide a written response to the student within twenty (20) class days after receiving the student’s request. Upon receiving a response, or if the department chair does not respond within twenty (20) class days, the student can move forward.
4. Reach out to the college dean

After the department chair review, or no response within the allotted time, students have ten (10) class days to reach out to the college dean. The college dean may consult with the faculty member and should provide a written response to the student within twenty (20) class days after receiving the student’s request. Upon receiving a response, or if the college dean does not respond within twenty (20) class days, the student can move forward.
5. Submit a Grade Appeal Request Form

After completing the review steps with faculty, department chair, and college dean, or no response(s) within the allotted time, students have ten (10) class days to submit the Grade Appeal Request Form. Each prior review step should be documented in writing and attached directly to the online form. The Dean of Students Office may consult with the identified parties to verify each step's completion.
6. Grade Appeal Committee Hearing

Once the grade appeal documentation is reviewed and certified for completeness, a grade appeal memo is directed to the University Academic Appeals Committee and a Hearing is scheduled. The University Academic Appeals Committee notification will be sent to involved parties at least ten (10) class days in advance of the scheduled hearing. The Committee shall make a recommended decision to the Provost, who shall issue a decision on the student’s appeal.
7. Grade Appeal Decision Letter

Upon the conclusion of the University Academic Appeals Committee recommendation, the Provost will issue a final decision on the student’s appeal. The Provost will communicate their final decision to the Dean of Student’s Office, who will issue a Grade Appeal Decision Letter to the student and faculty member.
8. Final Presidential Appeal

After receipt of the Grade Appeal Decision Letter, the decision of the Provost may be appealed to the President by either the student or the faculty member. If this step is utilized, the President shall make the final decision on the grade appeal. This will be considered final University action and no additional administrative processes shall be utilized to review the outcome.

All records are maintained in accordance with the State of Florida Record Retention schedule, unless noted otherwise in university policy or regulation.

Quick Links

Intent to Request a Grade Appeal Form

Grade Appeal Request Form

Grade Appeal Documentation Submission

Grade Appeal Feedback Form for Faculty

Suggestions for Students

Use professional email etiquette. See our tips below.

Reach out via email to schedule a meeting and/or visit your faculty member during their designated Office Hours.

Submit documentation to the Dean of Students Office as you proceed through the process, using the Documentation Submission form.

Ask for assistance if you have questions! Visit our Office or chat with the Student Ombuds (studentombuds@unf.edu).

Explore additional Academic support: Student Academic Success Services, Academic Advising, and more.

Professional Email Etiquette Tips

When emailing your Faculty member, your department Chair, or the Dean of your college, remember to use email etiquette

Include a clear, direct subject line
Start each email off by addressing the individual you are emailing (“Dear Professor X,”)
Pay attention to grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. Avoid “text talk” and online “short-hand” like “ur”, “lol”, and “l8r”.
Consider your tone while writing your email. Try reading your email out loud prior to sending it. If it comes across as negative or rude to you, it may be perceived that way by the reader as well.