Academic Probation and Dismissal
Probation. A student who receives a semester grade point average (GPA) of less than a 2.00 or ends a semester with a cumulative GPA of less than a 2.00 will be placed (or will continue) on probation.
The student will remain on probation until a semester is completed with both a semester and cumulative GPA at or above 2.00 or until the student is dismissed.
Dismissal. A student will be dismissed from UNL at the end of any semester* in which the following conditions exist:
| Cumulative Credit Hours ** | Conditions |
| 1-18 | Student has attended more than one semester and has a cumulative grade point average below 1.00. |
| 19-45 | Cumulative GPA below 2.00 at end of prior semester and both semester and cumulative GPAs are below 1.75 or three consecutive semesters on probation. The unsuccessful semester which places the student on probation is considered the first of the three consecutive semesters on probation. |
| 46 and above | Both the current semester and the cumulative grade point average are below 2.00 and the cumulative grade point average was below 2.00 at the end of the semester immediately preceding the current semester, OR three consecutive semesters on probation.*** |
Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture Students: Students in these programs should check the published standards in the Undergraduate Bulletin for academic probation.
The grade point average to remain in good standing in the department is higher than the University standards. Failure to maintain these standards can block the student from taking new coursework in the discipline.
| * |
For the purpose of enforcing academic standards, course work taken during any or all four summer sessions will be collectively considered as one semester of enrollment. If the student is not enrolled for the Second Five-week Session, the probation/dismissal calculation will be made at the grade census date of the First Five-week Session. Otherwise, the calculation will be made as of grade reporting for the Second Five-week Session. |
| ** |
For the purpose of enforcing academic standards, cumulative credit hours include all credit hours that a student registered for and did not drop. These are the hours for the courses subject to a grade. |
| *** | The semester for which you are first placed on scholastic probation is counted as the first semester in the sequence of three. |
Academic Dismissal Appeals
Students who are academically dismissed from the University may appeal that dismissal. Students wishing to initiate the appeal should do so as quickly as possible by meeting with an academic adviser in their college dean's office.
This appeal must be filed no later than the end of the first week of classes of the semester immediately following the one in which you were dismissed.
Dismissal Appeal Procedures
Dismissal Appeal Form
No consideration of a dismissal appeal will be given until all financial blocks/holds have been removed. If all financial blocks/holds have not been removed prior to the deadline, the committee will not consider an appeal. NOTE: See "Registration Hold/Service Indicators" under Eligibility to Enroll.
Readmission of Dismissed Students
Students who have been dismissed from UNL will be denied enrollment privileges for at least two consecutive semesters (the four summer sessions count as one semester).
A dismissed student may apply for readmission to UNL for the semester or term following the mandatory suspension period.
- The deadline for returning for a Spring semester: December 1 of prior year
- The deadline for returning for a Fall or Summer semester: May 1
Readmission is not automatic. Factors that will be considered in determining readmission of dismissed students are:
- Proven academic performance since dismissal (e.g., UNL College Independent Study courses or academic credits earned at other post-secondary institutions).
- Work experience that has contributed to development.
- Other appropriate experiences that have helped prepare the applicant to resume studies and achieve academic success.
The following are available at the Office of Admissions, 1410 Q Street and must be completed and received with supporting documentation by the Office of Admissions by the above deadline:
- Application for Admission
- Returning Student Questionnaire
All HOLDS, including financial, must be resolved before a student can enroll.
Readmission does not guarantee financial aid eligibility. Please contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, 17 Canfield Administration Building South, (402) 472-2030, to discuss your eligibility for financial aid.
Summer Classes
Undergraduate students taking summer classes should be aware that ANY course, or any combination of courses, constitutes a full semester's work in terms of academic standards. The student at highest risk is one who, at the beginning of summer classes, is:
- "continued on probation" (as a result of spring semester grades); or
- "readmitted on probation"; or
- "continued on probation" (as the result of successful dismissal appeal).
Because all summer classes (whether just one course or many) constitute a full semester's work, a student's probation/dismissal status WILL be assessed either at the end of the First 5-week Session (for students enrolled in Pre-Session, 8-Week Session and/or First 5-Week Session, but not in the Second 5-Week Session) or at the end of the Second 5-Week Session (for students enrolled in that session).
Under certain circumstances, taking a single course could appropriately cause a student to be academically dismissed from the University, particularly if the student receives a grade below C.
Any student who is unsure of the effect of summer work on their probation/dismissal status should consult with an academic adviser before taking any summer course or combination of summer courses.
