Request for academic concession
Law students: check with the Office of the Associate Dean, Academic and Student Relations before proceding.
A student who is affected by illness, accident or family affliction should immediately consult with a health professional. In such cases, the student may apply for an academic concession.
The ombudsperson has created a great explanation of the UVic policies and procedures through real student examples.
The steps taken to request academic concession depend on:
- Whether or not you are able to complete the coursework
- Point in the term at which you realize you require an academic concession
- Circumstances for the request
Requests for academic concession must normally be submitted within 10 working days of the end of the examination period of the term in which the course is taken. If you submit your request after this date, you may be required to provide additional documentation to support the delay in submitting your request.
Able to complete the coursework ...
Before the instructor submits the course grades
If your academics are affected but you will complete the coursework before the instructor submits the course grades at the end of the term:
- Submit supporting documentation directly to the instructor
Make arrangements with the intructor to complete the course requirements before they submit your course grade at the end of the term.
After the end of term
If your academics are affected but you will be able to complete the coursework after the end of the term, a request for academic concession is required.
- Request Deferred status (DEF) using the Request for Academic Concession (RAC) form
Not able to complete the coursework ...
Before academic drop deadline
If you cannot complete the coursework and it is before the academic drop deadline (the last day for dropping courses without penalty of failure - see academic calendar important dates):
- Drop the course online in My page - a request for academic concession is not required
- If seeking a fee reduction/refund see fee reduction appeal (FRAC) information
After academic drop deadline
If you are unable to complete the coursework after the academic drop deadline (the last day for dropping courses without penalty of failure see academic calendar important dates), a request for academic concession is required.
Submit a completed Request for Academic Concession (RAC) form to the Office of the Registrar requesting one of the following:
If your request for academic concession is approved, it will automatically be forwarded to the Fee Reduction Appeal Committee for consideration.
Additional information
If you are on student loans, receiving scholarships or bursaries
Please conact Student Awards and Financial Aid before:
Dropping a course(s) Changes in course load could negatively impact your eligibility for funding
Deferring a course Some government aid programs have strict timelines regarding the completion of deferred coursework. Not meeting these deadlines could negatively impact your eligibility for funding.
Withdrawing from studies If you are withdrawing due to extenuating circumstances there are opportunities for appeal related to your student loans, scholarships and bursaries.
Deadline for completing deferred coursework or exams
If your request for a deferral is approved, any required course work (including exams) must be completed by the date specified by the instructor. If no date is specified, any required course work (including exams) must be completed no later than the end of the following term.
- Courses ending in December must be completed by April 30
- Courses ending in April must be completed by August 31
- Summer Studies courses must be completed by December 31
Please note: you are responsible for checking for deferred approval on My Page and making arrangements with your instructor for course completion.
Approved deferred status may be extended beyond the above deadlines only in exceptional circumstances and only with the written permission of the Dean (or designate) of the student’s faculty.
To apply for an extended deferral, a student must submit a new Request for Academic Concession form with updated documentation to Student Support Services.
RAC options
Acceptable forms of supporting documentation include:
- Medical note from health care provider that includes the dates and nature of the illness;
- Letter/referral from a counseling professional supporting the request or in the case of compassionate requests;
- Obituary, death certificate or other official documentation of the situation;
- “Professional Statement in Support of Request for Academic Concession” - pages 3 and 4 of the Request for Academic Concession form.
Requests for academic concession must normally be submitted within 10 working days of the end of the examination period of the term in which the course is taken. If you submit your request after this date, you may be required to provide additional documentation to support the delay in submitting your request.
What is Deferred Status |
Additional time to complete course requirements by a deadline that was agreed to by you and the instructor. |
Timeframe for submission |
Requests for academic concession must normally be submitted within 10 working days of the end of the examination period of the term in which the course is taken. If you submit your request after this date, you may be required to provide additional documentation to support the delay in submitting your request. |
Grade on transcipt |
DEF on both official and administrative transcript. This will be replaced with a grade once you have completed your deferred course work. If you do not complete the course by the deferral deadline, you will receive an incomplete grade. |
Decision maker |
Instructor & chair of the department offering the course. |
Refund available |
No |
What is an Extended Deferral |
If you have been approved for a Deferral but are unable to complete your course work by the Deferral completion deadline, you can apply for an Extended Deferral. |
Timeframe for submission |
Submit your request for academic concession before your Deferral completion deadline. |
Grade on transcipt |
DEF on both official and administrative transcript. This will be replaced with a grade once you have completed your deferred course work. If you do not complete the course by the deferral deadline, you will receive an incomplete grade. |
Decision maker |
Associate Dean of your Faculty |
Refund available? |
No |
What is an Aegrotat |
Transcript notation accompanying a letter grade, assigned where documented illness or similar affliction affected performance or prevented completion of all course work. |
Timeframe for submission |
Requests for academic concession must normally be submitted within 10 working days of the end of the examination period of the term in which the course is taken. If you submit your request after this date, you may be required to provide additional documentation to support the delay in submitting your request. |
Grade on transcipt |
AEG on both official and administrative transcript. |
Decision maker |
Instructor and Chair of the department offering the course for current session. |
Refund available? |
No |
What is a Withdrawal Under Extenuating Circumstances |
Withdrawal under extenuating circumstances (WE) registration status will replace a course registration or grade when approved by the Dean following a request for academic concession from a student. WE registration status will appear on your official transcript, but is excluded from the calculation of all grade point averages. |
Timeframe for submission |
Requests for academic concession must normally be submitted within 10 working days of the end of the examination period of the term in which the course is taken. If you submit your request after this date, you may be required to provide additional documentation to support the delay in submitting your request. |
Grade on transcipt |
WE on both official and administrative transcript. This is defined on the official transcript legend as "Withdrawal under extenuating circumstances". |
Decision maker |
Associate Dean of your faculty. |
Refund available? |
If your request for academic concession is approved, it will automatically be forwarded to the Fee Reduction Appeal Committee for consideration. |
In conjunction with a Request for Academic Concession (RAC), as opposed to an online drop before the academic drop deadline.
What is a Drop |
Your course(s) and grades will be removed from your official transcript but may appear on your administrative transcript. |
Timeframe for submission |
Requests for academic concession must normally be submitted within 10 working days of the end of the examination period of the term in which the course is taken. If you submit your request after this date, you may be required to provide additional documentation to support the delay in submitting your request. |
Grade on transcipt |
In some cases, will display on the administrative transcript (depending on drop date). |
Decision maker |
Associate Dean of your faculty. |
Refund available? |
If your request for academic concession is approved, it will automatically be forwarded to the Fee Reduction Appeal Committee for consideration. |