Returning to complete your degree

Students who left Chico State to start a Planned Educational Leave (PEL) will need to complete the following steps to return. Check your Chico State email at least once a week—that is the primary method of official communication between the university and students.

1. Confirm the year and semester to return
   • The PEL form includes the year and semester you intended to return; if you need help finding that information, contact the Registrar's Office
2. Meet with your advisors to prepare for course registration
   
   • Students returning after a PEL register at the same time as continuing students, so you should contact your advisors about 4-5 months before you intend to return
   • For example, if you are returning in Fall 2023, you should contact your advisors in April 2023 to prepare for registration in April-May 2023
3. Participate in Wildcat Welcome
   • Meeting other students and discovering what is available on campus will help you reintegrate to the community and feel supported

Students who left Chico State before graduating will need to complete the following steps to return. Check your Chico State email at least once a week—that is the primary method of official communication between the university and students.

1. Contact Graduation Advising
   • Graduation Advisors carefully review your records and contact other departments to provide you the best information, so please be patient as this process may take several weeks
   • Graduation and major/minor requirements change over time; you may need to take additional courses to meet current graduation requirements
2. Send additional transcripts to Graduation Advising
   • If you attended another college or university after leaving Chico State, send official transcripts to Graduation Advising
3. Apply for re-admission through Cal State Apply
   • Graduation Advising will inform you if you need to reapply
4. Meet with your advisors to prepare for course registration
   • Every student has at least one advisor and meeting with them every semester is important to help stay on track 
5. Participate in Wildcat Welcome
   • Meeting other students and discovering what is available on campus will help you reintegrate to the community and feel supported

Students who were academically disqualified will need to complete the following steps to return to Chico State. This process is called "reinstatement." Check your Chico State email at least once a week—that is the primary method of official communication between the university and students.

1. Confirm eligibility to return
   • Disqualified students are eligible to apply for re-admission after two (2) semesters following disqualification
   • Consider enrolling in 1-2 courses through a community college or Open University to practice skills that will help you be more successful after returning to Chico State
2. Apply for re-admission through Cal State Apply
   • Deadlines vary by semester
3. Submit an Appeal for Reinstatement
   • Deadlines vary by semester
   • The appeal includes your appeal letter, transcripts from other institutions that you have attended since disqualification, and the "work-in-progress" form for the current semester
4. Read the appeal decision letter carefully
   • If applicable, complete all conditions for reinstatement
5. Meet with your advisors to prepare for course registration
   • Every student has at least one advisor and meeting with them every semester is important to help stay on track
6. Participate in Wildcat Welcome
   • Meeting other students and discovering what is available on campus will help you reintegrate to the community and feel supported