75 Hour Policy

Illinois State wants all students to make progress towards graduation; gaining admission to a major is a critical step towards degree completion.

Because of that, Illinois State requires all students be enrolled in a major upon completion of 75 hours of college-level coursework, including transfer credit. After 75 credit hours are earned, students must either have a major or have a University-approved plan on file to gain admission into a major.

Before Your Appeal

To appeal, you must have a reasonable, timely, and realistic intended major. If you do not have an intended major, you need to immediately begin the process of selecting a major that meets career goals. Ideally, you would know this path as early as possible to maximize course selections and future planning. Your actions are vitally important!

University College is here to help explain the appeal process, determine your major options, and help you make progress toward a degree. Please contact University College Academic Advising at (309) 438-7604 as soon as possible to speak with an academic advisor who can help.

Appeal Calendar

February 8	Alerts posted/sent for students impacted by the 75 hour policy
March 22	Notifications sent to students required to submit an appeal
March 29	Appeal site opens
April 7	Appeal site closes. Students must submit an appeal before 11:55 pm.
May 14	75-hour decisions available for students in good academic standing
May 28	75-hour decisions available for students on academic probation

Appeal Process

All undeclared students get warnings as they approach the 45, 60 and 75 earned hours mark. If you are not in a major by 75 hours, you are required to submit a formal appeal to remain a student at Illinois State and receive financial aid. The appeal process requires you to answer questions outlining your plan for gaining admission to a major.

Appeals are only available during a short time in the semester, typically mid-November and late April.

Your major must be officially changed on the student's record before the appeal deadline to warrant not submitting an appeal. It is important to remember that simply submitting a major application does not exempt you from the 75 hour appeal process.

If you fail to submit an appeal, a registration block is placed on your record and courses for the next semester are purged. If you do not intend to return to Illinois State in the following semester, notify your academic advisor.

Submit Your Appeal

Notification of Your Decision

You will be notified of an Appeal Committee's decision via ISU email and U.S. mail after final grades are posted and academic dismissal/probation decisions are released.

Denied Appeals

If your appeal is denied, a block will be placed on future registration and courses for the next semester will be purged. A denied appeal also means you will not be able to re-enroll at Illinois State for at least one semester. After that, you can apply for readmission to the University.