A student's work in any course is evaluated in accordance with the following system of letter grades: A, B, C, D, F, NC (no credit granted in a Pass/No Credit course) and P (passing performance in a P/NC course). The grade of I, "incomplete," is reserved for special cases.
An "incomplete" or I is reserved for situations involving extenuating circumstances; such as a student failing to meet a specific requirement of the course, but has in other respects done passing work. A student must make arrangements with an instructor if an incomplete is to be granted. If the course work is not completed in the next semester in which a student is enrolled, and no extension has been granted, the grade automatically becomes an F (for a letter-graded course); NC (for a P/NC course).
A student earns 4 quality points for each credit of A work, 3 points for a B, 2 for a C, 1 for a D, and 0 points for an F. Therefore, a student earning a B in a three credit course earns 9 quality points for the class. A student's GPA may be calculated by taking the total number of quality points a student earns, and dividing it by the number of credits, not counting P/NC courses, for which a student is enrolled.
Encouraging continued academic success at Minnesota State University, Mankato is important. Students who earn grade point averages of 3.5 or above receive letters of recognition. In addition, students may be eligible for membership in departmental honor societies if they maintain high levels of academic performance. One of these honor societies is Alpha Lambda Delta. (See page 5)
The probation/suspension policy of Minnesota State University supersedes the policy approved in April 2003. Changes in the policy are necessary to better align the satisfactory academic progress standards of Financial Aid and Academic Affairs. Among those changes are inclusion of maintenance of both the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a cumulative satisfactory course completion rate of 67 percent. These changes are also responsive to MnSCU Policy 2.9: Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress. The policy provides proactive support to students placed on probation by mandating strong advising and, as appropriate, other academic support. These changes also align the academic probation/suspension contract and appeal process with Financial Aid.
Satisfactory academic progress is defined as:
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is the total number of quality points (A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1; F=0) earned by the student, divided by the total number of credit hours attempted on a regular grade basis. Courses in which a P or NC is earned are not included when calculating GPA. Courses transferred in from an institution that uses a +/- system are converted to straight letter grades. Satisfactory course completion is defined as the completion of courses which have received grades of A, B, C, D and P. Courses assigned grades of F, NC, I, IP or W are not completed in a satisfactory manner. Percentage of completion is calculated by the following formula: (Number of credits marked A, B, C, D, P) ÷ (Number of credits marked A, B, C, D, P, F, NC, I, IP, W) = completion rate.
Unsatisfactory academic progress will result in either academic probation or suspension, and suspension of financial aid. Students who have earned a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 and/or a rate of satisfactory course completion less than 67 percent:
Note: An incomplete appeal will not be reviewed.
Students placed on academic probation will have two academic terms (including summer session) to meet standards of satisfactory academic progress. Failure to achieve the required GPA and/or percentage of completion will result in suspension following the close of the second probationary term.
Exception: suspension will not occur if a second term probation student achieves a term GPA of 3.0 or higher with a minimum of 12 credits for grade, so long as the student also meets satisfactory course completion requirements.
| Current Academic Standing | Cumulative GPA | Cumulative Completion Rate | Resultant Academic Standing | Resultant Financial Aid Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | 2.00 or higher | 67 percent or higher | Satisfactory | Satisfactory |
| Satisfactory | 2.00 or higher | Less than 67 percent | Probation 1 | Suspension* |
| Satisfactory | Lower than 2.00 | 67 percent or higher | Probation 1 | Suspension* |
| Satisfactory | Lower than 2.00 | Less than 67 percent | Probation 1 | Suspension* |
| Completion of first term of unsatisfactory progress | ||||
| Probation 1 | 2.00 or higher | 67 percent or higher | Satisfactory | Satisfactory** |
| Probation 1 | Lower than 2.00 | 67 percent or higher | Probation 2 | Suspension* |
| Probation 1 | 2.00 or higher | Less than 67 percent | Probation 2 | Suspension* |
| Probation 1 | Lower than 2.00 | Less than 67 percent | Probation 2 | Suspension* |
| Conclusion of second full term of unsatisfactory progress | ||||
| Probation 2 | 2.00 or higher | 67 percent or higher | Satisfactory | Satisfactory** |
| Probation 2 | Lower than 2.00 | 67 percent or higher | Suspension*** | Suspension*** |
| Probation 2 | 2.00 or higher | Less than 67 percent | Suspension*** | Suspension*** |
| Probation 2 | Lower than 2.00 | Less than 67 percent | Suspension*** | Suspension*** |
* Must file appeal to Financial Aid. Appeal does not guarantee access to financial aid, but a student on Probation 1 is likely to have his or her appeal for Financial Aid approved. Exceptions to this would include, among others, students who have filed repeated financial aid appeals. A student on Probation 2 is less likely to have his or her appeal for Financial Aid approved.
** If initial financial aid appeal was approved
*** If the student wishes to continue at the University, he/she must file an Appeal for Academic Reinstatement. The information on the Appeal for Academic Reinstatement will be shared with Financial Aid.
Academic Reinstatement does not guarantee access to Financial Aid.
