Academic Probation & Dismissal

the time frame, will not receive a warning and will be deemed ineligible for federal financial aid regardless of any prior SAP status.

At the time of notification from the Office of Financial Aid regarding a suspension status, the student will have 10 days to submit a written appeal outlining mitigating circumstances. The appeal letter should include the following: • mitigating circumstances that prevented the student from meeting the requirements of academic progress (e.g. death in the family, student illness or injury, other personal circumstances). Mitigating circumstances do not include: withdrawing from classes to avoid failing grades, pursuing a second major or degree, etc. • documentation that supports the student's basis for the appeal. • steps the student has taken/will take to ensure future academic success. • anticipated graduation date.

If it is not possible for the student to achieve satisfactory academic progress with one successful probationary semester, the student must also submit an academic plan signed by his or her academic advisor. This plan should outline the student's academic goals for each semester (e.g. number of credit hours and cumulative GPA) that will enable the student to meet the requirements of academic progress at a specified future point in time. Upon receipt of all completed appeal materials, the student will be considered for a probationary semester of financial aid in order to reestablish satisfactory academic progress.

Students whose appeal is approved will be placed on financial aid probation. Students who meet the requirements for SAP following the probationary semester will resume good standing.

Students who fail to meet the requirements for SAP following the probationary semester or do not complete the requirements of their academic plan will again be placed in suspension, become ineligible for financial aid, and subject to the appeal process.

ACADEMIC PROBATION & DISMISSAL

ACADEMIC PROBATION

A student may be placed on academic probation upon admission to the College, or if either the semester or cumulative grade point average is below 2.0. Students on academic probation are required to meet with their academic advisors regularly throughout the semester. The records of students on probation are evaluated at the end of the semester to consider the advisability of continuing at Holy Cross College. Academic probation may limit eligibility of certain activities or privileges of a student. A student placed in a suspension status may submit an appeal to be placed in a probation status. During the probation term, a student remains eligible for financial aid.

DISMISSAL FROM THE COLLEGE

In order to maintain the College’s academic standards, Holy Cross College will dismiss students who do not demonstrate the capacity to complete the College’s courses of study. The following standards are used to determine whether a student will be dismissed for academic reasons: • a first-year or sophomore student is eligible for dismissal if he or she has a semester GPA below a 2.0 for two consecutive terms or a cumulative GPA below a 2.0; • a junior or senior is eligible for dismissal if he or she has a one semester GPA below a 2.0 or a cumulative GPA below a 2.0. If a student is dismissed for academic reasons, the student may submit a written appeal to the Provost stating the reason for the appeal. The Provost, in consultation with the dismissal appeals committee, will make the final determination to either grant or deny the appeal. The following are the only grounds for appealing a decision of academic dismissal: • there was a fundamental error in the decision-making process; • there is new relevant information available now that was not available when the student’s academic performance was being evaluated; or • one or more of the grades received was an inconsistent reflection of the student’s performance in light of course expectations. The following information must be included in the student’s written appeal.

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