Academic Standing

Students are considered in good academic standing if they maintain a semester minimum GPA of 2.00, are eligible to reenroll at the College, and are not on academic suspension or dismissal status.

Students who are on academic warning or academic probation but are eligible to reenroll may be considered eligible to receive financial aid assistance or other benefits requiring a “good academic standing” status.

Students who are having academic difficulty will have one of the following official indications appear in their grade report on NOVAConnect:

Academic Warning

Students who fail to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.00 for any semester will receive an academic warning. Students on academic warning are encouraged to consult with their advisor/counselor and take advantage of academic support services provided by the College.

Academic Probation

Students who fail to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 1.50 will be placed on academic probation until their grade point average reaches 1.75 or better. The statement “Academic Probation” will be included on the student’s permanent record. Students on probation are ineligible for appointive or elective office in student organizations unless special permission is granted by the dean of students or another appropriate College administrator. Students on academic probation are required to consult with a counselor and will be limited to a maximum of (8) eight credits, unless otherwise required by law or approved by the Dean of Students (or designee). All students on academic probation who have not successfully completed the SDV requirement, with a passing grade, will be required to enroll in SD during their first semester on probation. For an exception to the (8) credit limit you must submit a written request to the dean of students (or designee), at your primary campus, explaining why you should be permitted to exceed the credit limit. All requests for exception must be submitted at least 10 business days before the start of the academic session. Students shall be placed on probation only after they have attempted 12 semester credits.

Academic Suspension

Students who are on academic probation and fail to attain a semester GPA of 1.50 or better shall be placed on suspension only after they have attempted 24 semester credits. Academic suspension will be for one semester. The statement “Academic Suspension” will be placed on the student’s permanent record. Students who are placed on academic suspension and wish to appeal should follow the appeal process established by the College. Students may be reinstated at the conclusion of the suspension period by following the process established by the College. Students who have been reinstated from academic suspension must achieve a 2.00 GPA for the semester of their reinstatement and must earn at least a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester of attendance. The statement “Subject to Dismissal” will be placed on their permanent record. Students who have been reinstated from academic suspension will remain subject to dismissal until their cumulative GPA is raised to a minimum of 1.75. Reinstated students may be required to carry less than a normal course load the following semester and are required to consult with their advisor/counselor. Reinstated students are encouraged to take advantage of additional academic support available to them.

Academic Dismissal

Students who do not attain at least a 2.00 GPA for the semester of reinstatement following academic suspension will be academically dismissed. Students who achieve at least a 2.00 GPA for the semester of their reinstatement following academic suspension must earn at least a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester of enrollment. Failure to attain a 1.75 GPA in each subsequent semester until the cumulative GPA reaches 1.75 will result in academic dismissal. The statement “Academic Dismissal” will be placed on the student’s permanent record. Academic dismissal is normally final, but students who believe they have an exceptional case may appeal to the dean of students for reinstatement following an absence of five years (60 months). To appeal, the student must submit a written request to the dean of students explaining why he/she did not do well in the past and why the student thinks he/she will be successful if allowed to return to the College. The student must submit an appeal at least 30 days before the start of the semester when he or she wishes to return. Students who are readmitted after dismissal should consult College policy on academic renewal, which follows. Students who are reinstated after academic dismissal will remain subject to dismissal until their cumulative GPA is raised to a minimum of 1.75. Reinstated students may be required to carry less than a normal course load the following semester and are required to consult with their advisor/counselor. Such students are encouraged to take advantage of additional academic support available to those who have been reinstated following academic dismissal.

College Procedures for Students Academically Suspended or Dismissed

The procedures listed below apply to students who have been academically suspended or dismissed:

1. Notice of a student’s academic suspension/dismissal is provided through both his/her grade report on NOVAConnect and a letter sent from the College that describes the suspension/dismissal policy and the steps available for appealing.
2. A “hold” will be placed on the student’s record so that he/she cannot register. The hold will indicate “academic suspension” or “academic dismissal” and is a part of the student’s academic record.
3. Students who choose to appeal are required to write a letter to the chair of the Admissions Committee requesting an exception to the policy. The letter should detail the causes for academic difficulties and describe remedies the student proposes to improve his or her academic performance.
4. Students who are requesting reinstatement to the College must meet with a counselor and/or dean of students.
5. The campus dean of students will make the reinstatement decision.
6. The dean of students’ reinstatement decision may be appealed to the campus provost.

Academic Renewal

Students who return to the College after a separation of five years or more may petition for academic renewal. The request must be in writing and submitted to a campus Student Services Center.

For students who are found to be eligible for academic renewal, “D” and “F” grades earned prior to reenrollment will be deleted from the cumulative and curriculum grade point average (GPA), subject to the following conditions:

• Prior to petitioning for academic renewal, the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.50 GPA in the first 12 semester hours completed at NOVA after reenrollment.
• All grades for credit courses received at the College will be a part of the student’s official transcript.
• The student will receive degree credit only for courses in which grades of “C” or better were earned prior to academic renewal, providing that such courses meet current curriculum requirements.
• Total hours for graduation will be based on all coursework taken at the College after readmission, as well as former coursework for which a grade of “C” or better was earned, and credits accepted from other colleges or universities.
• The academic renewal policy may be used only once and cannot be revoked after approval by the dean of students.
• Academic renewal cannot be applied to a degree or certificate that has already been conferred.