Step 1 - Academic Appeal Form

Instructions for Students

Use this Step 1 appeal form if you have received a final academic decision and have already attempted informal resolution without success. 

Based on the Academic Appeals Policy, appealable academic decisions include:  

  • Final Course Grade 

  • Breach of Academic Integrity 

  • Academic Status (Probationary Status or Compulsory Withdrawal Status 

  • Prior Learning Assessment Recognition Decision (PLAR)  

Appeals must be based on valid grounds as outlined in the Academic Appeals Policy. Appeals without valid grounds and without evidence of attempting informal resolution with your faculty (Professor/Instructor) will not be considered in the process.  

Review the options for grounds for appeal with recommended supporting documentation. For more information, scroll down within this form to the "I am appealing under the following grounds" section.  

Each academic decision being appealed must be submitted individually. For more information, visit the academic appeals homepage (opens a new tab).

Step 1 Academic Appeal Timelines

  • Appeals must be submitted within 5 working days of receiving the formal academic decision (e.g., final course grade as posted in MyMohawk; academic integrity breach notification received via your Mohawk college email; probation or Compulsory Withdrawal status notification as received via your Mohawk college email; PLAR decision). 
     

  • The appeal can only proceed after the student has received formal notification (ie. final course grade posted in MyMohawk or academic integrity breach notification email/letter). 

    Please note that MyCanvas does not show final course grades. Final course grades are only reported in MyMohawk at the end of the term. Grades in MyCanvas are not considered “final course grades”. 
     

Step 1 Academic Appeal Acknowledgements

Student Information

Please indicate your primary campus of study for where your Program is based. 

Program & Course Information

Please select and provide your:

Program Name & Number:
Please specify the name of the course/class with which your academic appeal is in reference to. 

(i.e. Associate Dean, Program Manager) Students can find who their Academic Manager is by contacting their faculty, Program Coordinator, referring to their Program Handbook, or by reaching out to the Registrar's Office.

Note: This is sensitive personal information, be sure you have indicated the correct and accurate Mohawk email address for the recipient (if applicable). 

(related to this particular academic appeal)
(related to this particular academic appeal)
Note: “Academic Decision” means a determination made by a Mohawk College faculty/employee acting in accordance with academic policies and procedures, which can include; breach of academic integrity, final course grade, probationary or withdrawal decision, and/or a Prior Learning decision.


What Are You Appealing? 

Complete all sections of this form. The information and documentation you provide will be used to assess your eligibility for a Step 1 Academic Appeal. Your submission will be reviewed by the Registrar’s Office to determine if the appeal meets the required grounds.  

Important Notes and Next Steps: 

  • You are responsible for clearly identifying the grounds for your appeal. 

  • Appeals submitted without valid grounds will not be considered. 

  • Disagreeing with an academic decision alone does not meet the criteria for an appeal under the Academic Appeals Policy.  

  • If your appeal meets the required grounds, it will be forwarded to the Academic Manager (Associate Dean) and Faculty member. The Academic Manager will review your request and provide you with a decision directly. A confirmation copy of this form will be emailed to your Mohawk College account.  

  • If your appeal does not meet the required grounds, you will be notified by email, and your request will not proceed further and will be closed. 

I am appealing under the following grounds:
Mandatory: Please provide confirmation of the conversation (or email details) you have had with your faculty first regarding your FINAL COURSE GRADE that you are appealing.
Mandatory: please provide the details for how you feel your status was calculated incorrectly as defined in section 6 of the Program Promotion and Graduation Requrirements Policy (opens new tab)
Mandatory: provide information on how your submitted PLAR assessment (opens new tab) was incorrect
Mandatory: You can only submit this option, after you've receiced a Breach of Academic Integrity Notification through Mohawk College email
Please note: if there is no final course grade posted or if your course is still in progress, you must pause and wait until your final course grade is officially posted to file a Step 1 Academic Appeal of your Final Course Grade.
Grounds:
Any additional information that provides further context to the situation you are appealing is important to share as part of your Step 1 academic appeal request. 

Please note, failure to provide this additional information (showing proof of the attempts to connect or meet with your Faculty member on an informal basis first), before filing a formal appeal, will result in your Step 1 appeal request NOT moving forward. 

You can attach a PDF copy or JPEG screen shot of your email(s) with your Faculty member below as part of your "Supporting Documents". Once you have submitted this form, you can also forward a copy of the supporting email(s) you have had with your Faculty to: academicappeal@mohawkcollege.ca  

Supporting Documents

Upload documentation that shows:

  • Evidence of Resolution Attempts: Provide documentation of informal efforts to resolve the issue (e.g., emails, meeting screenshots) and any relevant academic or policy references.

  • Detailed Explanation of Impact: Clearly describe where deviations occurred from approved accommodations or policies, how these deviations affected your academic performance, and why prior documentation may not have been submitted.

  • Formal and Supporting Documentation: Include formal proof of extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical forms, legal notices, death certificates) along with course-related evidence (notes, rubrics, evaluations, Canvas materials) to support your claims.

  • Policy Reference and Justification: Identify the specific policy or procedure involved, explain the alleged error, and demonstrate how it has impacted your ability to succeed academically.

Should you encounter issues with the form, you can also provide your supporting documentation related to your appeal request by emailing: academicappeal@mohawkcollege.ca. (Be sure to include your Name and Student ID and submit this on the same day as your Step 1 Academic Appeal form.)

Next Steps

  • If grounds are met, your appeal is sent by the Registrar’s Office to the Academic Manager / Associate Dean; you will be copied via your Mohawk College email on this message.
  • If grounds are not met, you will be notified via your Mohawk College email that your appeal request has been closed.
Provide any supporting documentation for your appeal. There is no limit to the number of pages per file attached. 
Maximum 5 files.
20 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, jpeg.

Supporting Documents