5.31 – Academic Fresh Start
A. Purpose
To establish criteria, guidelines and processes that allow returning students to recover from a deficient institutional grade point average (GPA).
B. Policy
Students who are readmitted to the college after an extended absence and who have an institutional GPA that does not reflect their current level of motivation, attitude and ability may be eligible to apply for academic fresh start.
C. Procedures
The academic fresh start program for the college is maintained by the Office of the Registrar.
Students readmitting to the college after an absence of three years or longer (not including continuing education coursework) with an institutional GPA of less than 2.0, may apply for academic fresh start. Additional eligibility criteria are located on the academic fresh start webpages.
Academic fresh start is college policy that may not be recognized by other colleges or universities upon transfer.
Coursework falling under academic fresh start will continue to be counted toward a student’s financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) calculation.
Coursework falling under academic fresh start will remain on the student’s transcript but will not be calculated into the student’s institutional GPA.
The office of the registrar will verify eligibility for academic fresh start and notify the student in writing of the results of the review.
Under rare circumstances, exceptions to the academic fresh start eligibility criteria may be requested. Exceptions can only be approved by the vice chancellor for student affairs.
D. Definitions
Cumulative Grade Point Average is the combined grade point average of all course work and credits completed at all institutions of higher education.
Institutional Grade Point Average is the grade point average of all course work and credits completed at OTC for college credit.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the standard required of a financial aid recipient in acceptable studies or other activities to fulfill a specified educational objective. SAP contains both a grade or its equivalent (qualitative) and pace (quantitative) measures. It also must be the same as or stricter than academic standards used for students not receiving Title IV aid.
E. Authority
This policy and these procedures are maintained under the authority of the executive vice chancellor for institutional and student success.
F. Related Policies
5.10 Satisfactory Academic Progress
G. Implementation
Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 12/6/08. Revision approved by the board of trustees on 12/6/17, 12/14/2020, and 06/12/2024.
Purpose, procedures, responsibilities and definitions approved and adopted by the chancellor’s cabinet on 11/7/17 12/01/2020. Set for review in 2026-2027.