This study aims to explore the students' experience with ChatGPT in providing scaffolding for writing essays. It also discloses students' appraisals of utilising ChatGPT. Drawing upon data from semi-structured interviews, this study involved 12 students learning English as a Foreign Language who utilised ChatGPT in academic writing classes. The findings revealed that students derived advantages from using ChatGPT for translation, writing accuracy, writing efficiency, idea generation, and practical use. This study also reveals students' criticism in terms of inaccurate information generated as well as the possibility of students committing academic dishonesty when using ChatGPT. This study indicates that although students use ChatGPT to help them write their essays, they have the awareness to fact-check the information to avoid committing academic dishonesty.