Governors State University - An Illinois Public University
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Special Admissions & Re-Admission

We understand that everyone's academic journey is not the same, and you may need to petition your admissions decision. Prospective students who are interested in petitioning can follow the steps below. Completed forms can be submitted via email to apotranscripts@govst.edu.

To learn more about the Special Admissions process and what is needed to petition a decision, please view the information below. 

Please note that all documents submitted for admission to Governors State University become the property of the university. Documents will not be released to students or forwarded to other institutions.

If you have any questions about the petition process, please contact the Office of Admissions at admission@govst.edu or 708-534-4490. 

Document Retention

Please note that all documents submitted to Governors State University for admission purposes become the property of the university. Documents will not be released to students nor will they be forwarded to other educational institutions or agencies.

    Special Admissions

    Prospective students can apply for Special Admission if they do not meet the GPA requirements for admissions. If you are not in good standing at your last institution, or your application includes credits from a non-regionally accredited institution, you can apply for Special Admission. If you were denied admission and would like your application reconsidered due to extenuating circumstances, you can petition your admissions decision.

    If your situation meets any of these criteria, complete the petition process. Please view the Special Admissions Process below. 

    You must apply for Special Admission:

    • If you are applying as an undergraduate, but have less than a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for at least 25 semester hours.
    • If you are not in good standing at the last institution you attended.
    • If your application is based on credits or degree(s) from an institution that does not have regional accreditation.
    • If you have been denied admission and would like to have your application reconsidered due to extenuating circumstances. 

    In your letter of petition, please explain why you failed to meet academic requirements and what you will do differently if readmitted.

    We recommend you structure your essay by reading the Instructions on How to Submit Your Petition Letter tab below.

    If your situation meets any of the criteria for Special Admission or Re-Admission complete the petition form, print it out, and submit it to the Office of Admissions. 

    By fax: 708.534.1640 
    By mail: admission@govst.edu
    Governors State University - ATTN: Office of Admissions
    1 University Parkway 
    University Park, IL 60484 

    Note: ALL forms are fill-in forms that allow you to type your information directly onto the form. No hand written petition letters will be accepted.

    Special Admissions Process

    You must apply for Special Admission if:

    • You are applying as an undergraduate but have less than a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for at least 24 semester hours.
    • You are not in good standing at the last institution you attended.
    • Your application is based on credits or degree(s) from an institution that does not have regional accreditation.
    • You have been denied admission and would like to have your application reconsidered due to extenuating circumstances.
    • You have been denied admission and would like to have your application reconsidered due to extenuating circumstances.

    If your situation meets any of the criteria for Special Admission, complete the petition form, print it out, and submit it to the Office of Admissions by email at admission@govst.edu or mail:
    Governors State University - ATTN: Admissions Processing Office
    1 University Parkway
    University Park, IL 60484

    For more information on the petition process, please visit: https://www.govst.edu/petition-letter-instructions/.

    Special Admissions Process

    In order to petition, please ensure the following are completed: 

    • An application for admission has been submitted
    • All official transcripts are submitted

    Next, follow these steps to complete the petition process: 

    1. Open the petition form (hyperlink).
    2. In the body of your petition letter, please address the following:
      1. Reason for the petition: Explain any unique or compelling circumstances that contributed to your academic journey.
      2. Plan for improvement & completion: Explain what you will do differently or what will contribute to a better academic standing now. Discuss the steps you will take to ensure you can successfully pursue and complete your intended major.
      3. Goal for the future: Explain your vision for your future and how a degree from GovState can help you reach this goal successfully.
    3. Save your petition form and email it to apotranscripts@govst.edu or upload the document through your application portal for processing.
    4. Await a new decision from the Office of Admissions. This process can take two weeks or more depending on the program.
    Re-Admission Petition

    You may apply for re-admission if you have been suspended or dismissed from Governors State University or if you are on probation and have lost continuing student status. A letter of petition must be submitted with your application.

    You may apply for Re-Admission if:

    1. You have been suspended or dismissed from the university. A letter of petition must be submitted with your application.
    2. You are on probation and have lost continuing student status. A letter of petition must be submitted with your application.

    In your letter of petition, please explain why you failed to meet academic requirements and what you will do differently if readmitted.

    We recommend you structure your essay by reading the Instructions on How to Submit Your Petition Letter tab below.

    If your situation meets any of the criteria for Special Admission or Re-Admission complete the petition form, print it out, and submit it to the Office of Admissions. 

    Download the petition letter

    By fax: 708.534.1640 
    By mail: admission@govst.edu
    Governors State University - ATTN: Office of Admissions
    1 University Parkway 
    University Park, IL 60484 

    Note: ALL forms are fill-in forms that allow you to type your information directly onto the form. No hand written petition letters will be accepted.

    Instructions on How to Submit a Petition Letter

    Prepare Your Petition

    File one petition for the term and program/major you wish to return. The information below can help you structure your petition letter.

    Introduction

    1. Address the reason for the petition

    Explain any unique or compelling circumstances that contributed to your academic journey.

    Body

    1. Your plan for improvement

    What will you be doing differently to maximize your chances to achieve good academic standing? What is your plan for earning A’s and B’s at Governors State University?

    2. Your plan for completion

    What steps have you taken to ensure that you can successfully pursue and complete your intended major?

    Conclusion

    1. How do you envision a GovState degree helping you

    Talk to us about your vision and where you see yourself upon graduating.

    • Once you have completed the petition letter, download it, upload it to your application portal, or email it to: apotranscripts@govst.edu and we can upload it.
    • . Await a new decision from the Office of Admissions, our petition committee needs to review your petition. This process can take up to two weeks or more depending on the program.

    Please include your full name and or reference number with your email so that we can add this petition to the right file.

    Undergraduate Application Fee Waiver Request
    Deferred Enrollment / Information Update Change Form

    Please note that this form can only be submitted once, not to exceed one year from the term of your original admission.

    Academic Amnesty

    The university offers an Academic Amnesty readmission process that resets a student’s GPA from the point of reentry forward. It is available only to students previously on probation or suspension who have been away for at least three semesters and must return in a different major. Prior coursework remains on the transcript (with amnesty noted) and may count toward the new degree if approved, but does not factor into the new GPA. Undergraduate students must complete at least 24 graded credits after reentry, while graduate students must complete at least half of their new program’s required credits. Academic amnesty may be granted only once.

    Looking to make changes to your enrollment status?

    While we are addressing the seriousness of this situation, we do not want you to be deterred from pursuing your educational goals!  If you need to update a start term, change your program, petition for admission, or confirm your enrollment, you may still do so by completing the appropriate form below.  Completed forms can be sent to our office by emailing them to admission@govst.edu.

    Please select and complete the appropriate form from the menu below.

    If you do not meet GovState admission requirements or have been suspended or dismissed from GovState, there are circumstances under which you may petition for special admission or to be re-admitted. Please review the criteria listed, then complete and submit the appropriate form.

    Completed forms may also be mailed to:

    Governors State University
    Admissions Processing Office
    1 University Parkway
    University Park, IL 60484

    Please note, print applications for general admission are unavailable at this time. Please apply online at 

    https://apply.govst.edu/apply/

    Contact Admissions

    • Office of Admissions
    • Governors State University
    • 1 University Parkway, University Park, 60484
    • 708-534-4490
    • admission@govst.edu
    Back to Admissions