Section 400: Academic Affairs

Effective: January 2019
Revised:  March 2021; August 2023; August 2025
Last Review: August 2025
Next Review: August 2027
Responsible Party: Provost/Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs

A hold preventing a student from registering for classes may be placed on a student’s record for admissions, academic, graduation, business, financial-aid, disciplinary, or immunization reasons. If a hold is placed on a student record, when the student enters her/his user ID and password into MyInfo, the student will see a description of the hold and contact information, so that the student can remedy the situation. Holds on student accounts can restrict access to grades, electronic transcripts in MyInfo, diplomas, and registration.

Policy

The Holds Oversight Committee reviews requests to lift holds that have been implemented by one of the following offices:

A student can submit a request to lift a hold at MSU-Northern via an email to either the Registrar’s Office or Business Services, depending on the nature of the hold. This request must include the student's name, the hold being requested for review, and the reason the student believes the hold should be removed. The request should also include related or supporting documents, if appropriate. Holds that have been placed on a student’s account by another MUS campus cannot be altered by an MSU-Northern employee. In this case, the student must contact that campus directly to resolve the hold before any associated restricted access at MSU-Northern can be lifted.

Procedures

A request to lift a hold will be properly vetted by the Holds Oversight Committee with members representing all aspects of that decision. Committee members include:

  • Registrar (Chair)
  • Accounting Associate 
  • Financial Aid Director
  • SSS Director
  • Student Health Representative

The Holds Oversight Committee will make a determination regarding the request and respond to the student within one business day. If the committee decides to affirm the hold, an appeal may be submitted to the Provost.

If warranted, following the determination from the Provost regarding the request, a final appeal may be submitted to the Chancellor. The Chancellor’s determination on the appeal shall be the final decision by the campus.

The following factors will be considered when making a determination regarding a request to lift a hold at MSU-Northern:

  • the student’s financial aid package;
  • the student’s GPA;
  • the student’s payment history;
  • the student’s plan for paying any past-due balance, if applicable;
  • the student’s academic progress towards a degree;
  • University, State, and Federal guidelines;
  • any supporting documentation supplied as part of the request.