Academic Eligibility

Academic Classification

All students working for any undergraduate degree conferred by this university are ranked in classes, by semester hours completed, as follows:

Freshman 0-29 semester hours of credit
Sophomore 30-59 semester hours of credit
Junior 60-89 semester hours of credit
Senior 90 or more semester hours of credit

For purposes of satisfying course prerequisites, the term "senior standing" may be defined by reference to the specified curricula of a given school or college, if it provides detailed programs leading to the attainment of a degree. A student who has completed a four-year degree and who continues undergraduate enrollment is classified as post-baccalaureate.

Academic Standing and Dismissal

Academic standing is based upon the total earned credit hours completed, including accepted transfer hours. Therefore, all new undergraduates begin with an enrollment status of eligible and earn an academic standing after their first semester with earned credits. Four categories of academic standing are established: Good, Warning, Probation, and Suspension. These categories are intended to signify a student’s progress toward graduation or to provide an opportunity for making improvements and achieving academic success. They also determine eligibility to enroll in courses at the university; however, they do not determine eligibility to enroll in specific programs, schools or colleges at the institution. In addition, an undergraduate student's standing and eligibility to enroll in courses does not ensure satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial aid purposes.  Students who receive financial aid should review the Financial Aid and Scholarship section of the catalog for the SAP policy.

Good Standing:

  • Students in Good Standing have earned the required cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher.
  • Students' enrollment status is marked eligible and they may continue to enroll in courses.

Warning:

  • Students on Academic Warning have earned a cumulative grade point average below 2.00. This indicates that grade standards consistent with graduation requirements are not being met.
  • Students’ enrollment status is marked eligible, and they may continue to enroll in courses after advisor approval of course load. Students with this status will have an advisement hold that will need to be cleared prior to registration activities.
  • Students who are employed on campus are required to establish an action plan for academic success and have a letter of support from a supervisor as per the existing student employment policy.
  • Students placed on Warning are required to participate in individual academic coaching. 
  • Students who register for the upcoming term but who do not register for academic coaching will be administratively dropped from all of their courses following the last day to add a course.
  • Students who begin a semester on Warning will be assigned one of the following statuses at the end of the semester:
    • students who earn a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.00 at end of the semester will return to Good Standing.
    • students who have not earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 will continue on Continued Academic Recovery.

Probation:

  • Students on Academic Probation have continued to earn a cumulative grade point average below 2.00. This continues to indicate that grade standards consistent with graduation requirements are not being met.
  • Students’ enrollment status is marked eligible, and they may continue to enroll in courses after advisor approval of course load. Students with this status will have an advisement hold that will need to be cleared prior to registration activities.
  • Students placed on Probation are required to participate in individual academic coaching. 
  • Students who begin a semester on Probation will be assigned one of the following statuses at the end of the semester:
    • students who earn a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.00 at end of the semester will return to Good Standing.
    • students who have not earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 but have made substantial improvement by earning a term grade point average of at least 2.00 will continue on Probation
    • students who have not earned a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 and have not earned term grade point average of at least 2.00 at the end of the term will be moved to suspension.

Suspension:

  • Students on Academic Suspension who have continued to earn a cumulative grade point average below 2.00 are required to be dismissed from the university for at least one semester before being able to petition for re-instatement.
  • Students on Academic Suspension who have registered for a future semester will be administratively withdrawn from all classes by the Office of the Registrar.  Notification of the suspension will be sent to the student's university email address and U.S. postal mail.

Can a student return after an Academic Suspension?

Academic Reinstatement

Students who have been academically suspended may petition the Academic Reinstatement Committee for permission to return to the University. Reinstatement is not automatic and is granted only to students who demonstrate the ability and commitment to achieve future academic success. Decisions of the Academic Reinstatement Committee are final.

Petition forms, deadlines, instructions, and supporting documentation requirements are available on the Petition for Academic Reinstatement website.

Petitions must be submitted by the published deadline and include:

  • Documentation of compelling circumstances beyond the student's control that adversely affected academic performance.
  • A personal statement describing:
    • the circumstances that contributed to the suspension;
    • the steps the student will take to achieve academic success if reinstated; and
    • the personal and campus resources that will support their success.

Students granted reinstatement may enroll only for the approved term and may begin during a full-term or first seven-week session. Students may not begin enrollment during a second seven-week session unless they are already enrolled in first seven-week courses.

Conditions Of Reinstatement

Students granted academic reinstatement:

  • Return to the University on Academic Probation.
  • Must meet all academic standing requirements applicable to students on probation.
  • Will receive a continuation plan developed by the Academic Reinstatement Committee and must discuss the plan with their academic advisor.

A continuation plan may include recommendations such as:

  • repeating coursework;
  • summer enrollment;
  • tutoring or academic coaching;
  • academic reassessment;
  • a change of major; and/or
  • counseling or other student support services.

Academic reinstatement is valid only for the approved term. Students who do not enroll, withdraw from all courses, or fail to meet the required academic standards during that term will be placed on a second academic suspension. 

Subsequent Suspensions

A second academic suspension requires a minimum separation from the University of one full calendar year before a student may petition for reinstatement.

Students who have been suspended twice should not expect reinstatement unless the Academic Reinstatement Committee determines that extraordinary circumstances exist and the student has demonstrated a strong likelihood of future academic success.

Any additional suspension requires a minimum separation of two years before another petition for reinstatement may be considered.

This policy was revised for inclusion in the 2026–2027 Undergraduate Catalog and applies retroactively to all prior reinstatement approvals, where applicable.

Can a student be dismissed/suspended for other reasons?

A student may be dismissed from the university for a period of time or permanently for reasons other than those listed above for Academic Suspension. 

  • Conditional Admit or Strong Start students who fail to satisfy the requirements of their admission status may be dismissed. Students should contact the Resch Academic Success Center for information on dismissal and reinstatement processes.
  • Financial Suspension: Students who fail to meet their financial obligations to the University may be suspended from enrollment until all financial responsibilities are met. Questions regarding financial suspension should be directed to the Office of the University Bursar for information on debt consequences, obligations, and reinstatement processes. 
  • Student Conduct Suspension or Expulsion: Students found responsible for violations of the Student Code of Conduct may be suspended or expelled from the University. Questions regarding disciplinary status should be directed to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct.

CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

Office:  Penguin Service Center and Record's Office
Location:  Meshel Hall
Website:  https://ysu.edu/penguin-service-center and https://ysu.edu/registrars-office