Academic Probation
Academic probation is a warning your grades and/or completion rate are dangerously low. You are on probation if your overall GPA is below a 2.0 or your completion of credits is less than 67%.
During the probation semester, you must complete 67% of your credits for the semester and earn at least a 2.0 GPA to avoid being suspended.
Although you are on probation, you may be able to access financial aid.
Probation after a Suspension Appeal Approval:
The same rules apply as above except that a financial aid appeal would need to be processed. Often, without extenuating circumstances, a student may need to pay for 12 successfully completed credits before being eligible to appeal for financial aid. For further details, refer to the SAP Procedures Policy.
How to Get off Probation
Get back on track. You have this semester to earn your way back to "good standing," which includes the cumulative 2.0 GPA and the cumulative 67% credit completion. Follow these steps; success begins now.
- Review "Strategies to get off Probation," below.
- Contact your college counselor for help setting up your success plan for the semester.
- Earn a 2.0 GPA or higher and complete 67% your credits this semester.
Strategies to Get Off Probation:
Your GPA will bounce back quickly if you earn a passing grade in a course you previously failed. If your problem is a low grade-point average, this is the first strategy you may want to use. Only the second grade will be factored into your GPA; the previous grade will still appear on your record, but it will be held out of the GPA calculations once the new grade is posted.
Less is more. Take fewer credits and earn higher grades--spend your energy on a few courses rather than spreading yourself thin over many courses. If you got into academic trouble by taking a full load of 12 credits, try taking only 6 to 8 credits during the probation semester. Don't worry about your timeline to finish your education in 'X number of' years...if you don't do well now, suspension will delay you further.
- Convert Credits to Hours per Week
A well-used strategy is to take the total number of credits for the semester and multiply by three hours. If you have 12 credits, you will need to reserve at least 36 hours/week for courses. This includes seat time and study time; some difficult classes may take more time, but this figure will serve as a planning tool. A good rule of thumb? 12 Credits and 20 hours of work a week (for a non-probation student!)
The courses you take, the amount of time you put in, and the resources and support you access is your choice. Take time to problem-solve and determine what may be getting in the way of your academic success. Plan to be successful this time. If you feel you are doing everything you can and still not making the grade, talk to a Counselor, Advisors, your instructor or other support people on campus.
Academic Suspension
If you are unable to complete the probation semester with the acceptable GPA and credit completion, you will be suspended at the end of the term. You will be notified by an email from Records and Registration. If this is your first suspension, you will need to sit out one term, before appealing. If this is your second appeal, you must sit out one year before appealing suspension.
All MNSCU colleges honor suspensions from LSC. At the time you wish to return to any of the MNSCU colleges, you will be required to complete an Appeal. For information regarding Suspension Appeals, contact the college you want to enroll in.
Tips for those on Academic Suspension
If you know you'll be suspended at the end of a semester, focus your energies on continuing and passing remaining courses. This will be important when you submit a Suspension Appeal in the future.
If you find yourself on Suspension at LSC, take time to meet with a Counselor to set up a recovery plan, and do the Academic Suspension Appeal Process. (need Adobe Acrobat 9 to view) Reflect on what may be getting in the way of your progress, and make adjustments that will lead to academic success.
Withdrawing
If you must withdraw from a course during the probation semester, promptly contact a counselor or advisor for assistance. While this may lead to eventual suspension, in some cases it does not.