This policy updates and clarifies the thresholds for each level of Academic Standing and associated Academic Actions. For more information, visit the
nsc.edu/college-policies website.
I. Calculating Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students
All levels of Academic Standing are considered part of a student's academic record and are noted on official transcripts.
- Incomplete grades: For students, receiving grades of Incomplete (I), the GPA shall be calculated for the semester or summer term in which the Incomplete grade was assigned, with an “I” assigned for the course. Any change to Academic Standing that is necessary due to a change from an Incomplete grade to a letter grade shall be calculated at the end of the semester or summer term in which the Incomplete grade is changed.
- Withdrawing from courses:Courses from which a student has withdrawn and received a "W" shall not impact Academic Standing calculations.
- Grade Appeals: If a student's final course grade is adjusted as a result of a grade appeal, the student's Academic Standing will immediately be re-calculated.
II. Academic Warning for Undergraduate Students
All students who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA based on Attempted Earned Credits at the end of 1) any fall or spring semester or 2) any summer in which the student was enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credits in all summer terms combined, is placed on Academic Warning.
A registration hold will be placed on the student’s account for the enrollment period following placement on Academic Warning. The student is required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center in order to remove this hold. This meeting is intended to help the student identify changes that will allow the student to improve the student’s academic performance and return to Good Academic Standing.
A student on Academic Warning whose NSC Cumulative GPA is below 2.0 but who earns an NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher based on Attempted Earned Credits shall remain on “Continued” Academic Warning until the point at which their NSC Cumulative GPA rises above 2.0.
III. Academic Probation for Undergraduate Students
Any student on Academic Warning who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA based on Attempted Earned Credits at the end of 1) any fall or spring semester or 2) any summer in which the student was enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credits in all summer terms combined, is placed on Academic Probation.
A registration hold will be placed on the student’s account for the enrollment period following placement on Academic Probation. The student is required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center to remove the hold.
A student on Academic Probation who has an NSC Cumulative GPA below 2.0 but who earns an NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher based on Attempted Earned Credits shall remain on “Continued” Academic Probation until the point at which their NSC Cumulative GPA rises above 2.0.
IV. Academic Suspension for Undergraduate Students
Any student on Academic Probation who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA based on Attempted Earned Credits at the end of 1) any fall or spring semester or 2) any summer in which the student was enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credits in all summer terms combined, will be placed on Academic Suspension until the end of the following full fall or spring semester. During this time they are not allowed to enroll in courses at the College.
- Returning from Academic Suspension: To enroll in classes after a first Academic Suspension, a student is required to meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising Center prior to the term in which the student wishes to return. Once re-enrolled, a student whose NSC Cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 but who earns an NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher based on Attempted Earned Credits shall be allowed to enroll the following semester or summer term on Probationary Enrollment Status.
- Second Academic Suspension: A student who re-enrolls subsequent to a first Academic Suspension and fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA at the end of any semester or summer term based on Attempted Earned Credits shall be placed on renewed Academic Suspension and will be prohibited from enrolling at NSC until two (2) consecutive full academic semesters (fall and spring terms) have passed.
V. Academic Dismissal for Undergraduate Students
Any student who returns to the College after a second Academic Suspension who fails to earn a minimum 2.0 NSC Semester GPA in any semester or summer term based on Attempted Earned Credits will be Academically Dismissed from the College. Any student who is Academically Dismissed is prohibited from enrolling at the College for three (3) full academic years from the date of dismissal.
- Return after Academic Dismissal: A student may reapply for admission to the College at the end of the dismissal period. The student must provide evidence that the student is capable of performing at the level required to meet College standards.
- Early return from Academic Dismissal: A student who has been Academically Dismissed may apply for early reinstatement from Academic Dismissal if:
- The student earns an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited institution after Academic Dismissal from NS;
- The President approves a petition for an exception to policy based on exceptional circumstances. Such approvals are granted at the President's sole discretion on a case-by-case basis and are not subject to appeal.
VI. Return to Good Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students
Any student who has been placed on Academic Action shall return to Good Academic Standing when the student earns a NSC Semester GPA of 2.0 or higher and has an NSC Cumulative GPA above 2.0.
Once a student returns to Good Academic Standing, the student’s Academic Action progression resets (i.e., the student must progress through Academic Warning and Probation prior to being Academically Suspended). If a student returns to Good Academic Standing and subsequently is again Academically Suspended, the student shall fall under section IV.B of this policy, “Second Academic Suspension."
VII. Financial Aid Implications
This policy defines calculations for Academic Standing. It does not apply to calculations of eligibility for financial aid. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss how their Academic Standing impacts their financial aid packages and whether they have made satisfactory progress. Refer to Financial Aid’s policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress for information on financial aid calculations.