Policies

Index of Policies

Academic Standing

Last updated: 2025
Unless specified otherwise, a student’s academic standing is determined by submitted grades. Incomplete grades are not factored into academic standing. Retroactive adjustments are not made to a student’s standing once a grade has been submitted for the Incomplete. 

Good Academic Standing

To achieve good academic standing, students must:

  • Maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major
  • Meet any additional requirements of the major which have been approved by the All-University Committee and are consistent with university policy

Academic Warning

Students whose cumulative GPA falls in the range of 2.0 to 2.2 will be placed on academic warning. Students on probation and academic warning must:

  • Meet with their academic advisor before the start of the second week of the relevant semester to review their current course load and arrange periodic meetings throughout the semester and
  • Meet with an academic coach for the number of times stipulated in the probation or academic warning contract

Students who maintain the University’s academic standards for probation must also meet the financial aid and athletic eligibility requirements for satisfactory academic progress.  (Financial Aid and Athletics offices have additional academic requirements for probationary students.  Students should consult the appropriate office to determine their eligibility.) 

Academic Probation

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 will be placed on probation.  

  • Probation 1: The first semester in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, the student is placed on Probation 1
  • Probation 2: The second consecutive semester in which a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 but at or above a 1.0 will be placed on Probation 2. Students with a cumulative GPA below a 1.0 will be placed on suspension

Taking a leave or withdrawing does not change a student’s probation status. Upon returning to the university, students will retain the same probation status they had prior to their departure. Students that readmit with a GPA below a 2.0 that are not already on Academic Probation or a Dean’s Probation will be placed on Probation 1. See below for information on Dean’s Probation. Students will be suspended if they have a cumulative GPA below a 2.0 for more than two successive semesters and do not meet the criteria for Deferred Suspension.

Deferred Suspension

Deferred suspension provides students who would otherwise be suspended with an opportunity for an additional semester to achieve good academic standing.  Eligibility for Deferred Suspension:  

Any student in their second semester of probation that has  

  • made notable improvements in their GPA, but still falls short of the required cumulative GPA of 2.0
  • successfully completed a minimum of 12 college-level credits
  • have not have received a 0.0 or Unsatisfactory in any course in that term,
  • and  their semester GPA is at or above a 2.0

Any student currently on Deferred Suspension who

  • is registered for a minimum of 12 college-level credits
  • has not received a 0.0 or Unsatisfactory in any course in that term, and  
  • their semester GPA is at or above a 2.0  

Additional considerations: If a student should receive a grade of Incomplete during the semester of Deferred Suspension, the student’s status will be determined by the GPA graded courses only. No future adjustments will be made to a student’s status once the grade has been submitted for the incomplete. 

Dean’s Probation  

A Dean’s Probation contract is an agreement that requires a student to earn a term GPA of a 2.0 or more and pass all of their classes. This allows for students to make progress toward good academic standing while recognizing it may take more than one semester to bring the cumulative GPA over a 2.0.    

Academic Suspension

Suspended students are ineligible to enroll in any courses at Fitchburg State University for at least one semester. Suspension status remains unchanged by voluntary withdrawal. To seek readmission, students must submit a Readmission Application by the Registrar’s established deadline (see Readmission to the University policy.). If readmitted, students return under a Dean’s Probation contract and remain on the Dean’s Probation contract until they return to good standing or fail the contract. See below for information on Dean’s Probation. 

Academic Dismissal

Students will be dismissed from the University if, after having been readmitted following a suspension, they do not meet probationary standards as laid out in a Dean’s Probation contract. Dismissal status results in the student’s dismissal from all divisions of Fitchburg State University. A dismissed student may not enroll in any courses in any division of the university for a period of two years.  

Request for Updated Standing  

Students in poor academic standing who have completed additional coursework during semesters when academic standing is not calculated (winter and summer) may request a revaluation of their academic standing from the Registrar if their cumulative GPA qualifies for a change in their status. 

Dean's List and President's List

Last updated: 2025
Unless specified otherwise, a student’s academic standing is determined by submitted grades. Incomplete grades are not factored into academic standing. Retroactive adjustments are not made to a student’s standing once a grade has been submitted for the Incomplete.

President’s List

Degree-seeking students are named on the President’s List when they have attained a semester average of 3.75 or higher and were named on the Dean’s List for three successive semesters while maintaining full-time status in college-level courses and a minimum of 9 GPA credits (graded credits that impact GPA). In cases where students are considered full-time with less than 12 credits, no more than one course with a grade of S is allowed. Students with incompletes and/or an Unsatisfactory grade (U), at the time the President’s List is determined are not awarded the President’s List. 

Dean’s List

Degree-seeking students who have attained an average of 3.2 or better for the semester while maintaining full-time status in college-level courses and a minimum of 9 GPA credits (graded credits that impact GPA). In cases where students are considered full-time with less than 12 credits, no more than one course with a grade of S is allowed. Students with incompletes and/or an Unsatisfactory grade (U) at the time the Dean’s List is determined are not awarded the Dean’s List. 

Credit Elimination Policy

The Credit Elimination Policy applies to students who leave the University and desire to return after five or more calendar years. Such students may eliminate all or part of previously earned credits from their transcripts, in units of one semester or more. When a particular semester of credit is designated to be eliminated, all credits from this semester must be eliminated, which benefits a student’s grade point average. However, please note, credit elimination does not erase or alter attempted credits per federal financial aid guidelines.

This policy requires that:

  • Credit elimination may only occur once
  • A request for credit elimination must be in writing
  • The dean of student and academic life must approve the request

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requests

Each year, the financial aid office reviews credit and grade point average compliance relative to financial aid regulations. Letters are forwarded to students not in compliance with current regulations, outlining alternate options available to them for financial aid. Students have a one-time opportunity to appeal for continued financial aid on a probationary status. This is known as a SAP Appeal, and has academic stipulations that students must adhere to in order to maintain and continue receiving federal aid. SAP appeals request are reviewed by the Dean of Students Office.

Academic Policy Waiver Requests

Requests or appeals of academic policies identified in the University catalog and issues or concerns related to classes or department polices, must be submitted through a Student Petition and approved by faculty and Academic Affairs administrators. If you are unsure how to navigate this process, a member of the Case Management team can assist you.

Leave of Absence Policy

Students enrolled in the university may request a period of separation – normally not to exceed one semester. Students who are on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) maintain their active status. Students on a Personal Leave of Absence (not a medical or veteran leave) will be able to contact their advisor directly in order to register themselves for the semester of their return. Students on a Medical Leave of Absence should contact the Office of Student Affairs office prior to their return. Veterans should reach out to the Registrar’s Office. Please note: Taking a Leave of Absence does not change the status of a returning student who was not in good academic standing at the start of their Leave of Absence. 

A student who does not return for the approved semester will be withdrawn unless an extension is granted through the Student Affairs office. A student who wishes to extend a Leave of Absence must request that through the Student Affairs Office and present a valid reason for the extension. A leave that extends beyond one semester is reported as a withdrawal from the university. However, your student account will remain active. 

Most common exceptions to the one semester limit would include military deployment and medical conditions that require more than a semester for recovery. Appropriate documentation (medical documentation, military orders) may be required. 

Please note: A leave of absence does not pause federal loan repayment and the Title IV refund policy will be applied to all leave of absences. 

For more information regarding taking a Leave of Absence, refer to the Case Management webpage, or contact the Office of Student Affairs for assistance.

Withdrawing from Fitchburg State University

Students seeking a short-term leave of absence from the University should review the Leave of Absence information above. Students who wish to withdraw from the University entirely, or for an extended period of time, should email the the Office Student Affairs at studentaffairs@fitchburgstate.edu to initiate the withdrawal process. Students may require a meeting with Student Affairs and complete necessary paperwork. For more information on the process, refer to the "Withdrawal from the University" section of the Student Handbook or the Fitchburg State University Catalog.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The University is committed to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The University is dedicated to providing educational, working, and living environments that value the diverse backgrounds of all people.  To see the full statement, policy, and grievance procedures related to discrimination, including sexual harassment and misconduct, visit Equal Opportunity and Title IX.