A student may face academic suspension from a school for failure to make "satisfactory academic progress" during a specific timeframe—typically by the end of the student's second semester. The nature of satisfactory academic progress can vary by school, but it's generally defined by a student's Grade Point Average (GPA) falling below a certain threshold or the student not completing or achieving passing grades in enough credit hours for the school to consider the student enrolled on a "full-time" schedule.

Appealing a Suspension

A college or university may allow a student to appeal a school's decision, providing the student with a chance to explain mitigating circumstances or give more information that may not have been available when the school administration made the decision. Declining health, family situation, changes in occupation, or field of study may have worsened academic results, but the appeal is limited to demonstrating extraordinary circumstances.

If a student's low grades have become a pattern, the school may decide they need to take a few semesters off to reevaluate their place at the school. After the suspension period is up, the student can reapply and, if accepted, return for a probationary period. However, there are other options for students moving forward as some higher education institutions accept academically suspended students.

Applying to Other Schools

If you think you can ride out a suspension at another university, there are some things to keep in mind. You will have to be upfront about your academic history during the application process. In most cases, an academic suspension or dismissal will show up permanently on a student's transcript. Schools will also usually require a few additional items in these circumstances, such as

• Official transcript
• Statement of purpose
• Professional resume
• Letters of recommendation
• Short interview with school administrator(s)
• Learning assessment

Provisional Admission and Academic Probation

Most schools apart from community colleges will require a transfer student to have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA to matriculate. If the student has at least a 2.0, they may also be placed on provisional admission or academic probation once they start. Many schools have policies on the number of semesters a student is allowed to be on academic probation until they reach a certain GPA before they are suspended. While stipulations on student academic behavior under probation vary by school, students may be subject to the following conditions:

• Prohibited from enrolling in more than a specific amount of credit hours per semester
• Must pass a specific amount of credit hours while
• Maintain a GPA or 2.0 or higher
• Participate in academic enrichment programs

Continuing Education

An academic suspension doesn't mean a student's long journey to obtaining a degree has ended, but a suspension makes for a rougher road. If you are a student facing suspension from college, you can mount a strong defense with the help of an experienced advisor. An attorney-advisor can negotiate with your school to achieve the best possible outcome. Because in the end, avoiding suspension is better than coping with it. Attorney Joseph D. Lento is a highly experienced advisor who prides himself on helping students in need across the United States. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to understand how Attorney Lento and his expert team can help you.