FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a U.S. law that protects the privacy of student education records. Some examples of records protected by FERPA include, but are not limited to grades, class schedules, attendance & disciplinary records, social security numbers, and student financial aid information.
However, directory information including, but not limited to name, major, dates of attendance, and degrees awarded can be disclosed without the student’s consent unless the student informs the university in writing of their desire to prevent the publication of the student’s directory information.
To learn more about FERPA, please click here.
FSU is required by law to make all its activities, programs, and services equally available to persons with disabilities. FSU has many resources available to students who have disabilities, which helps ensure a quality educational environment.
To learn more about applying for accommodations with FSU’s Office of Accessibility Services, please click here.
To learn more about the Americans with Disabilities Act, please click here.
Title IX is a U.S. law that protects students from sex-based discrimination in any school or educational program that receives federal funding. This includes, but is not limited to, unfair treatment in classes, activities, or sports, as well as protection against sexual harassment and violence.
To learn more about Title IX, please click here.
FSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veterans' status, marital status, or any other legally protected group status.
Complaints against faculty, staff, contractors, visitors, and other third parties, are handled by the Office of Human Resources. If you believe that you have been treated differently because of your membership in one of the protected groups, you may pursue an informal or formal resolution method, both of which can be effective.
FSU supports the right of any individual who believes that a violation of university policy has occurred to present a good faith complaint and receive an impartial review. It is considered a violation of university policy for any act of retaliation to be taken against an individual because the individual has filed a good faith complaint.
To learn more about FSU’s policies against discrimination or retaliation, please click here.
The purpose of the grade appeals system is to afford an opportunity for an undergraduate or graduate student to appeal a final course grade.
To learn more about the grade appeals system, please click here.
The Academic Honor Policy outlines the university's expectations for students' academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations (e.g., academic dishonesty such as plagiarism or cheating), and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty throughout the Academic Honor Policy process.
To learn more about the Academic Honor Policy process, please click here.
Students who allege that any academic regulation, policy, process, or procedure has been improperly applied may have their grievances addressed through the general academic appeals process.
To learn more about the general academic appeal process, please click here.
A Florida “resident for tuition purposes” is a person who has, or a dependent person whose parent or legal guardian has, established, and maintained legal residence in Florida for at least twelve months. Residence in Florida must be for the purpose of making it your true, permanent home rather than simply maintaining a residence incident to enrollment at FSU. Thus, living in or attending school in Florida alone will not establish legal residence.
Students who depend on out-of-state parents for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents. The determination of dependent or independent status is important because it is the basis for whether the student must submit their own documentation of residency (as an independent) or their parent's or guardian's documentation of residency (as a dependent).
To learn more about residency, please click here.
If you have experienced a severe medical and/or mental health problem that caused you to miss several classes and/or take a failing grade, you may qualify to receive a medical/mental health course drop or term/semester withdrawal. However, your health problems must meet certain criteria and be documented to be evaluated.
A course drop is when you remove one or more classes – but not all of them – from your semester schedule.
A term/semester withdrawal is when you drop all courses attempted during a given semester, withdrawing from the university for that semester.
To learn more, please click here.
If you have experienced a severe personal hardship that caused you to miss several classes and/or take a failing grade, you may qualify to receive a personal hardship course drop or term/semester withdrawal.
A course drop is when you remove one or more classes – but not all of them – from your semester schedule.
A term/semester withdrawal is when you drop all courses attempted during a given semester, withdrawing from the university for that semester.
To learn more, please contact your academic dean’s office or click here.
Student conduct matters are administered by the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards, which is part of FSU’s Division of Student Affairs.
The Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards is responsible for upholding community behavior standards and educating FSU students on how to engage responsibly with the FSU community.
Student conduct matters are adjudicated based on the Individual Conduct Code (covers actions of individuals) or the Organization Conduct Code (covers actions of student organizations).
To learn more about FSU’s conduct codes, please click here.
University housing community standards matters are administered by the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards, which is part of FSU’s Division of Student Affairs.
The Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards is responsible for upholding community behavior standards and educating FSU students on how to engage responsibly with the FSU community.
Housing community standards matters are adjudicated based on the Individual Conduct Code (covers actions of individuals), the Organization Conduct Code (covers actions of student organizations), and the Guide to Residence Living.
To learn more about FSU’s housing community standards, please click here.
Students who wish to live on campus are required to complete a Housing Contract. More information about Contract Terms and Condition can be found here.
If you are dealing with tuition or fee issues, FSU offers several appeal options. You can request to get your schedule reinstated if it was canceled for nonpayment, ask for a refund if you drop a class or face unexpected hardships, appeal extra charges for repeating a course, or petition for a full refund if serious personal or medical situations arise.
To learn more about the different tuition & fees appeals options, please click here.
If you are registered to study abroad through one of FSU’s International Programs and need to cancel your registration, it is important to review all applicable policies and potential fee implications. Participants admitted to an International Program who cancel after the payment due date has passed will still be responsible for program fees.
Detailed information about cancellation procedures and fee liabilities can be found here.
All students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and be in academic good standing with Florida State University to be eligible to receive financial aid. SAP standards ensure that students are successfully completing their coursework and can continue to receive financial aid.
SAP reviews minimum GPA standards, the number of credit hours taken (adjusted based on how many degrees you are pursuing), and percentage of credits completed. Undergraduate, graduate, medical, and law students have different SAP Requirements, so make sure to review your specific requirements.
To learn more about SAP requirements, please click here.
The Office of Accessibility Services is committed to universal access for all FSU students. OAS creates an environment of success through the provision of academic, housing, and dining accommodations, testing support, assistive technologies, and space for students to feel a sense of belonging within the FSU community.
The Accommodations application process can be found here.
If there is a concern regarding a decision made or regarding the implementation of your accommodations, more information can be found here.
If you are an elected or appointed Student Government Officer and you have been disciplined, suspended, or removed from office, you have the right to directly appeal to the Vice President of Student Affairs or another senior university administrator designated to hear such appeals. More information can be found here.
Admission to FSU is selective, and applications are reviewed in a holistic manner. No single criterion guarantees admission to the university. Rather, FSU considers all information submitted with the application.
Information about appealing an admissions decision can be found here.
Transfer admission is a holistic and selective process, and no single criterion guarantees admission. Rather, FSU considers all the documentation, and carefully reviews an applicant’s academic record to ensure they are prepared for the academic rigor they will encounter at FSU.
Information about appealing an admissions decision can be found here.
Admission to graduate study is a two-fold evaluation process. The Office of Admissions determines eligibility for admission to the University, and the academic department or college determines admissibility to the degree program.
To learn more about the graduate admissions process, please click here.
The above list is not comprehensive. Students may contact the Student Ombuds Office about any FSU policy, process, or procedure.
If you would like information on how to submit a complaint or appeal, please click here
Students may also share important information regarding conduct violations, incidents, or concerning behavior happening in the Florida State University community by reporting an incident on report.fsu.edu.