When you send your student off to college you hope and assume that he will be successful. Most students are successful and do well. However, some students struggle – either socially or academically. No parent wants to receive the news that his or her student has been academically dismissed from college because of poor performance. It is distressing and disheartening news. But it does happen, and parents need to help students deal with the situation. Although you may be disappointed, and possibly angry, your response may be a large factor in helping your student move forward.
Here are some things to consider if your college student is academically dismissed from college.
What does academic dismissal mean?
A student may be academically dismissed from a school for failure to make “satisfactory academic progress”. This may mean various things and may be defined differently by different schools. Generally, it means either that the student’s GPA or Grade Point Average is too low (she received poor grades) or that she has not made satisfactory progress by completing enough credits (she dropped or withdrew from too many courses each semester). A student who does not make satisfactory progress may then be dismissed or told that she can no longer be enrolled in the college.
Should your student appeal the decision?
In some cases, a college may allow a student to appeal the decision to dismiss. The purpose of the appeal is usually to allow the student to explain extenuating circumstances or to provide additional information that may not have been available at the time that the decision was made. He may be able to demonstrate that some circumstance has changed – perhaps a health situation, work situation, family situation, or even a change of focus or field of study. It is important that you and your student remember, however, that an appeal is meant as an exception and to demonstrate extraordinary circumstances. It is not meant as an avenue simply because the student is unhappy with the decision of the college. An appeal may not be in the best interest of the student.
Should your student apply immediately to another college?
If your student is dismissed, his first thought, and yours, may be to apply immediately to another school. This may be appropriate. However, before doing that, you and your student may need to consider what factors caused the problems that warranted his dismissal. Jumping immediately back in may not be the best solution.
Has your student taken time to reassess?
A student who is academically dismissed from college is not doomed to failure. You may need to help your student view this as a time to reassess his abilities, behaviors, and priorities. He was originally admitted to the college because of his abilities and potential, but something has prevented him from living up to that potential. Now is a time to step back and reevaluate. Before you and your student decide to immediately appeal the dismissal or to apply to a different school, consider carefully whether taking a break may be the best course of action for your student.
Would some time out be beneficial?
An academic dismissal from college happens for a reason. Something has prevented your student from succeeding. She may need your support more than ever now to think about how to proceed and how to use her time off. For many dismissed students, taking a break from their current routine and setting may be the best path to success, even if it involves an unexpected detour. Your student may decide to spend a year working to gain experience and perspective. Your student may decide to take a course or two at a local community college to achieve some success and/or explore a new area of study. Your student may need to move back home for a semester or a year to achieve some balance and focus. How you respond to this situation will help your student know how to respond. Helping your student see this as an important, if unplanned, step in her path will help her to use the time constructively.
Should your student apply for readmission or reinstatement?
In most cases of academic dismissal, the student may be eligible to apply for readmission or reinstatement after a certain period of time. This is different from appealing the decision at the time of dismissal. One thing that your student will have had time to consider during his time off is whether or not he wants to return to the same institution or to transfer to another college. If he wants to return, he should check the policy of his college. Most schools require that a student “sit out” for a semester or a year. When students apply for readmission, the college may be looking for certain factors. They will be looking for indications from the student that things will be different if he returns. He may be asked to submit a personal statement giving a compelling argument that he has addressed whatever challenges he had prior to dismissal. They may be looking for successful completion of some credits at a community college or some other institution. They may ask whether social, family, or personal issues have been addressed.
Is your student prepared for a fresh start?
If your student has used time off from his college productively, he may be ready to return to school with a renewed focus and a new outlook. Many students who have been dismissed return to their previous college – or another college – and are completely successful. Helping your student see this time as an opportunity rather than a set-back will mean that he can use the time off to his advantage. This may not be the path that either of you originally had in mind, but it may be a path that, in the long run, will be most beneficial to your student. Having your support as a parent will help him to discover and accomplish his goals.
Related Posts:
What FERPA Means for You and Your College Student
How Parents Can Help College Students Value Their Mistakes
Helping Your College Student Avoid “How Do I Tell My Parents?” Fears
What to Say to Your College Student Who is In Trouble, Dismissed, or On Probation
Academically Dismissed from College? Time for a Reset
Academically Dismissed from College? Ten Steps to Move On
Hi Christine,
It is always difficult to wait for an important decision such as this. Sometimes the committees that usually make these decisions may not meet as often in the summer. If you have not heard back from the college in a reasonable amount of time, it would make sense to contact the college to ask when they think they will have a decision. It is difficult to say whether they will reinstate you, but if you are close to their standard and have a reasonable explanation, that will help. They may also be looking for an indication that your grades are gradually improving and that you will be able to make some positive changes in the future. Good luck!
Hello, I currently attend a university. They maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. I currently have a cumulative GPA of 1.98 and I passed my class last semester with a C. the semester before that I passed my classes with a C+ and a B. Even tough I passed my class this semester with a C, and just two points away from the required cumulative GPA, the university has placed me on academic dismissal. I have had a medical condition, and have had several doctor visits, along with several annoying symptoms that I put off for awhile, that interrupted with my studying. I decided to have appeal the decision of dismissal, but have not heard back from them yet. Do you think that they will have me reinstated?
Vicki,
First of all, I really appreciate your responses! I have learned a lot just by reading them. I do have a similar issue with being Academically Dismissed. I was attending the Univ. of South Florida and majoring in Gerontology. I attained my Associate in Arts degree prior. I did very well my first 2 semesters at USF, but then some personal tragedies began to unravel my life. My partner and I had been together for about 6 years and we had gone through college together and were attending USF together. I won’t get into details, but he decided to explore other people and I was told to move out. I am not from Florida. I don’t know anyone at all here, but miraculously an old friend from Seattle, WA (where I’m originally from) had moved here. So I basically had to let go of everything I owned and leave behind my entire life. I was a hair away from homelessness and was sleeping on my friends couch for about 6 months. I was only working part time since I was in school, but needed money to live on my own. I was offered a promotion and I took it. Unfortunately, due to my living situation being turned upside down and also my car breaking down and having to buy a new one, school was not feasible. I stopped attending class because I had to go to work. I was a mere 20 credits away from my degree. I am so disappointed in myself for not going to class, but I can’t help but think that at the time I had no other options. I have looked into completing my B.A. in Gerontology online from a regionally accredited university. I have pretty much given up on returning to USF due largely to the fact that I am in no position to quit my job or go down to part time to accommodate going to campus for class so this is my next best option. My question is this: Will my financial aid be restored if I transfer to another University after being dismissed? My financial aid has been terminated due to dismissal. If not, how do I get my financial aid restored so I can finish my degree? I had so many dreams of going to Grad School and becoming and LCSW (Clinical Social Worker). I am the first and only one in my entire family to pursue a college education and this situation has totally disheartened me. I just don’t know what to do at this point. I would go to a CC, but I can’t even get financial aid there because I wouldn’t be considered a “degree seeking” student. I apologize for the novel, but I really need some assistance with this and I am not getting anywhere with the Financial Aid office at USF or the local CC. I am ready and determined finish this though. It was less than a year ago I was making the dean’s list and had a decent 3.2 overall GPA. Now my GPA is down to a dismal 2.4 overall. Any assistance is greatly appreciated at this point. Thank you!
Thank you Hektor!(:
I have a 2.10 so I think I should be good to receive financial aid! I really appreciate your time! Btw how long did you spend at a community college? Was it challenging?
Hi Jayy,
I was not able to recieved financial Aid at the community college because of my gpa was below the minimum required GPA to qualify for financial aid when I transfer my transcript from SDSU to get credit for the classes that I passed there. So I just applied for BOGW which cover the expenses for my classes. I just had to pay for the extra fees that some courses have and Health fee that the BOGW doesn’t cover which is not much to pay. Once you raised your GPA to a 2.0 and above you qualify again for financial aid. Its not hard to transfer to another CSU just meet the requirements that they required transfer students to have and you’ll get excepted.
Hektor, I’m in a situation and I was wondering if I can get some advice since we both attended SDSU. I was on academic probation on my second semester as a freshman at SDSU but on my second semester I did really good and got out of it. But I did not pass the math class that was necessary to clear my elm requirement and since I pretty much failed my first semester classes they are now telling me I’m not able to receive financial aid and I’m being told I need to pay my student loans soon. I was wondering if I decide to leave the university and attend a community college here in LA will I be able to receive financial aid? Where you able to receive financial aid at the community college you attended after being disqualified? And would my F’s affect my transcripts at the community college or would I be able to retake the classes to replace the F’s I received? My main plan is to stop attending Sdsu and continue at a community college and hope to transfer to another CSU but was wondering if it would be hard or not? Please help! Thank you!(:
I have a question…About three years ago, I decided to attend ASU and ended up with a 1.63 GPA and of course, they put me on academic probation. I ended up transferring to a community college and bring my grades up. Then decided to go to a different unviersity and I have a 3.7 right now. My concern is…how will my academic probation affect me in graduate school? I do not plan on returning to ASU to “improve” my gpa.
Hi Fern,
I’m sure you have a great chance to get admitted to a UC if you retake all the classes and you meet the requirements from the UC school you want to go. In college confidential I saw stories of people who where in the same situation as you and I where. They seemed they where able to go to a UC from a community college after being disqualified from a State University. In my case I just applied to state universities because I was told by people that It would be hard for me to get accepted anywhere. But I got accepted everywhere where I applied. Now this fall Ill start in Cal State Dominguez Hills. Just make sure you don’t hide any academic history and you bring up your GPA and you will get accepted.
Hektor, I am seriously in the same situation as you except I went to cal poly and i’m taking the same steps as you in going to a community college and currently in the process of trying to re take all the classes I have failed and then applying to another college. Your story really reassured me on my future because after looking for answers on what I am going to do and if any colleges would accept me i honestly couldn’t find any at all! Your story really helped me realize there is hope and that I have a chance at getting into another college :’) I have a question though, did you happen to apply to any UCs?, because I really want to apply to UCs but I don’t know if I have a chance at all, and basically what steps did you take in applying to the other colleges?
An update on my story, So I got accepted to all the colleges that I applied to. Basically after being disqualified I went to a community college and I retook the classes I failed and I raised my GPA and my past academic history didnt seemed to affect on my admission. Even though I did not reapplied to the San Diego State University, I applied to other California State Universities and they accepted me. Now I need an advise. I’m on school housing waitlist for the school Im attending and I was encourage to look for another alternatives near school. Is there any websites for me to look for housing for college students?
Hi Armand,
I’m sure it must seem discouraging to need to raise your GPA to get back into school. One suggestion would be to consider an local community college with open enrollment. Take some classes there and work hard to have a strong GPA. Then you can consider transferring to another school. If you can demonstrate that you are serious and can do quality college level work, other schools may consider your application. Good luck!
I was dismissed from school and i sat out for two semesters. i have a 1.5 gpa and its difficult for me to get back in school because alot of schools require a 2.0 to get back in school. How do i boost my gpa up?
Hey guys,
So recently, i came clean with my mom and she was super happy I told her. Apparently, she knew about this from the moment it happen. However, this is my situation, I use to go to a UH but I messed up bad. I was put on academic suspension for 1 semester because I just plain did not care. I left with a GPA of .94! (This is hard to come clean with any one, especially your parents). Then for the past 2 years, I have been attending a community college where I had a major and did quite well(went form a physics major to a computer science major). Now I can proudly say that my GPA now is 2.72 and expected to come close to 3.0 after this week of finals. However, when I try to apply to UH as my new major they will not let me. They tell me I need to re-apply as a physics major, pull my GPA to a 2.5 from the UH GPA of .94. So I looked into his and it will take 4 semesters of taking four classes with all A’s. frankly I and willing to put the effort but let’s be honest, all A’s with no mess ups is nearly impossible and I really don’t want to spend 2-3 just to be able to change majors. Is there anything I can do here? Should I go back and take the extra time? Some please help me :)
hi good day!
i have read your post and it really matched to what i am experiencing right now…. i have beed academic dismissed due to excesive failure of subject. but before that i am a 4th year college student and only one semester left and id be graduate but then due to my Excesive failure of subject (EFS) i probably not going to graduate in time as i calculated about another one year.. then when i was about to enrol to in my 2nd semester the dean of our college intervine and didnt let me enrol because of my EFS .. it took me so hard to process those decision and made me depress in some point ..also i didnt tell that to my mom because i am very ebarassed to dissapoint her.. another thing is that the reason ive got alot of EFS is because of personal matter i have been bullied when i was in 2nd year college also that makes me dont want to go to school also family matter but then even though that happened i strive hard though not that hard to catch up with my studies… i have passed some subject also i failed some subject …. then because of my dean decission i stop for a sem and reasses myself now im really ready to come back to school..now my problem is this.. is it still possible to come back to my college though the dean decision is academic dismisal .?. will that be mean i cant go back to my old course?…also because of that im having a hard time to shift to different course or transfer to differ university because of my low GPA… will there be a legal ground about staying to old course? thankyou for listening hope to get back from you soon godbless…
I have talked to the school and geez! It is so hard to get anyone’s help it’s kinda discouraging… I was told in order for me to become eligible for this grant again, I have to bring my GPa up and pay out of pocket. The only way I was able to attend school was because of the grant. This is super frustrating and I’m not going to give up. I don’t understand how or why I would’ve been approved for a grant in the first place if my gpa from 11 years ago was going to set me back like this. My first semester back in college went great and I did so well… A week before school I find out the classes I enrolled in with grant money will have to be paid out of pocket! I’m a single mom with a 7 year old and live on a dental assistants income. I feel like all the work I did last semester is for nothing. I can’t believe grades from eleven years ago overlook the grades I made a month ago…Why wouldn’t they have just denied me before I started? Who else can I go to for help with other options? The office at school, everyone gives me very little information I about this. They act like I’m bugging them wih stupid questions and like I should already know. I have been outta the loop for a long time and can’t get anyone’s help or advice. An appeal is also a chance for you to explain a significant reason on y the GPa is low but my reason is I was only 19. I’m now 30 with a 7 year old who depends on me. Last semester brought my gpa up but not enough.