Academic Probation and Academic Suspension

How does SCC determine your academic status? Your academic performance will be measured by your “grade point average, or GPA” which is a numerical representation of your overall academic performance. GPA is calculated not just for one semester but for your entire college career. Each semester’s grades contribute to your cumulative GPA, reflecting your overall performance.
Our grading system uses a series of letters, which are assigned grade-point values.

1. represents exceptionally high achievement. It is valued at four grade points for each credit hour.
2. represents high achievement. It is valued at three grade points for each credit hour.
3. represents satisfactory achievement. It is valued at two grade points for each credit hour.
4. represents the minimum achievement for credit. It is valued at one grade point for each credit hour.
5. represents unsatisfactory achievement and indicates failure in the course. It is valued at zero credit hours and zero grade points in non-remedial and non-developmental courses. Credit may be obtained by repeating the entire course.
6. represents unsatisfactory achievement in a course taken on a Pass-Fail basis. It has no value in computing the grade point average. Credit may only be obtained by repeating the entire course. This grade may be used for developmental courses.

A student earning a cumulative grade point average below a 2.0 at the end of a term shall be placed on academic probation. A student shall be removed from academic probation by earning at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

If a student is placed on academic probation for two consecutive terms (which is noted on the transcript as subject to dismissal the second time) AND does not earn either a cumulative GPA or a term GPA of at least a 2.0 in the third term, the student shall be academically suspended (see Academic Suspension guidelines below).

Students on academic probation should consider taking a less strenuous course load each semester. Guidelines for students on academic probation are that they shall not take more than:

• 15 credit hours in a semester,
• three credit hours in a four-week intersession,
• four hours in the five-week session,
• six credit hours in a six-week summer session,
• seven credit hours in an eight-week summer session and
• nine hours in the twelve-week session.

If a student is placed on academic probation for two consecutive terms (which is noted on the transcript as subject to dismissal) AND does not earn either a cumulative GPA or a term GPA of at least a 2.0 in the third term, the student shall be academically suspended. A student on academic suspension may not enroll in courses which count toward a KCTCS degree.

A student who has been academically suspended may be reinstated by the Vice President of Academic Affairs after remaining out of the college for at least one 16-week semester and providing evidence of ability to perform at the level required.

The Vice President of Academic Affairs may grant an exception based upon an individual’s case. In order to be considered for an exception, the student must submit an Academic Suspension Appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs.

A student who has been academically suspended shall, upon reinstatement, be placed on academic probation and be subject to a second academic suspension if the student has failed to earn a current term GPA of 2.0 during the first term of reinstatement. Upon a second academic suspension, a student may be reinstated by the president (or designee) after remaining out of the college for at least two 16-week semesters and providing evidence of ability to perform at the level required.

Academic probation status is a separate process from financial aid status. However, both processes use GPA to show your progress. If your cumulative GPA drops below 2.0, you would not be able to continue receiving federal financial aid without completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal through the financial aid office and receiving approval.

You must contact the Financial Aid office separately, and they will advise you on any needed steps to complete the financial aid process.

More Information on SAP