The rise of AI writing tools like ChatGPT has made academic integrity a lot more complicated. Students are using them to brainstorm, edit, or get help with assignments—but colleges are still trying to decide what’s allowed and what isn’t.
If you’ve been accused of using ChatGPT for a class assignment, you’re probably wondering:
- Can I get in trouble for using AI to help me write?
- What if I didn’t know it wasn’t allowed?
- Is it considered cheating if I just used it a little?
These are questions many students are asking—and unfortunately, schools don’t always have clear answers.
Why AI Is Getting Flagged
More and more professors and academic departments are using AI detection tools that claim to identify when something was written by software like ChatGPT. But these tools aren’t always reliable. Some students have been accused after turning in their own work—just because a detector flagged it incorrectly.
Students in this situation often search:
- “Caught using ChatGPT in college—can I get expelled?”
- “What happens if your professor thinks you used AI?”
- “False positive AI detector college”
Even if the work was original—and AI was only used to help polish ideas—some schools treat it as unauthorized assistance or academic dishonesty.
The Policies Aren’t Always Clear
The tricky part? Not every college has formal rules about using AI tools. Some professors ban them outright. Others are okay with it in certain situations. And in some cases, the syllabus doesn’t mention them at all.
Still, many students are finding themselves accused of cheating—even when they didn’t think they were doing anything wrong.
What Happens After You’re Reported
In most schools, being flagged for AI use leads to the same process as any other academic misconduct case:
- A formal notice is sent
- You may be asked to submit a written explanation, attend a meeting, or appear at a hearing
- A decision is made—and in some cases, a penalty is given
- You might have the option to appeal
The consequences vary. Some students receive a warning or fail the assignment. Others are placed on probation—or face suspension.
What You Say Next Matters
If you’ve been accused of using ChatGPT on a paper or exam, how you respond matters. Even if the policy wasn’t clear, or even if you didn’t use it at all, what you write in your statement or say in a meeting can carry a lot of weight.
Richard Asselta helps students who’ve been accused of AI-related academic misconduct navigate these new and often confusing processes. Whether the charge is based on detection software, a suspicious writing style, or unclear policy language, he helps students prepare and respond in a way that protects their academic standing.
If you’ve been accused of using ChatGPT in college, contact Richard to schedule a consultation. This is new territory for many schools—and you don’t have to face it alone.
Contact Richard today – Call (855) 338-5299, Email: [email protected] or fill out a contact request form.