Academic Renewal Policy

The University System of Georgia Academic Renewal policy allows undergraduate students who have been readmitted or reinstated after a period of absence of five (5) calendar years or longer to be eligible for academic renewal. Academic renewal for the student signals the initiation of a new grade point average to be used for determining academic standing. This provision allows University System of Georgia degree-seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty to make a fresh start and have one final opportunity to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree. Georgia College has adopted this Academic Renewal policy.

Students who wish to participate in the Academic Renewal program must file application for academic renewal directly to the Office of the Registrar within three semesters after re-enrollment or one calendar year, whichever comes first.

1. All previously attempted course work continues to be recorded on the student’s official transcript.
   1. The Academic Renewal Grade Point Average begins when the student resumes taking course work following the five-year period of absence and Academic Renewal has been granted. A statement will be placed on the student’s transcript indicating the Academic Renewal status.
   2. The Academic Renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and also will be used to determine eligibility for graduation.
      1. To earn a degree, a student must meet Georgia College’s residency requirements. Hours earned prior to Academic Renewal may apply provided they are within the ten-year guidelines.
      2. At least 50% of work toward a degree must be completed after the granting of Academic Renewal status for a student to be eligible for honors at graduation.
   3. Academic credit for previously completed coursework (including transfer course work) will be retained only for courses in which an A, B, or C grade has been earned.
      1. Retained grades are not calculated in a Renewal GPA. Such credit is considered in the same context as transfer credit, credit by examination, and courses with grades of “S”.
      2. Courses with D or F grades must be repeated at the Academic Renewal Institution if they are required in the student’s degree program. All remaining courses for the current degree objective must be completed at the Academic Renewal institution. No transient credit will be accepted after invoking Academic Renewal.
      3. Applicability of retained credit to degree requirements will be determined by the degree requirements currently in effect at the time Academic Renewal status is conferred on the student. Specific institutional program regulations must also be met.
2. A student can be granted Academic Renewal status only one time.
3. Transfer credit:
   1. Suspended/dismissed students: a student who has been suspended/ dismissed from Georgia College and has attended one or more System institutions during the period of suspension/dismissal will not be eligible for Academic Renewal.
   2. Non-suspended/ dismissed students: a student who has not been suspended/ dismissed from Georgia College but who has been absent from Georgia College five years or more and who has attended a school other than Georgia College may choose only one of the following options:
      1. A student may return to Georgia College subject to all relevant transfer and reentry policies. No renewal GPA is calculated and transfer credit will be granted for applicable courses taken during the absence.
      2. A student may apply for Academic Renewal. If Academic Renewal status is approved, no transfer credit will be granted for course work completed during the absence.
4. Any scholastic suspensions/dismissals that occurred in the past shall remain recorded on the student’s official transcript. If a restricted enrollment or academic dismissal is on the record and the student encounters subsequent academic difficulty after having been granted Academic Renewal, the next dismissal would subject the student to permanent exclusion.
5. If a student does not request Academic Renewal status at the time of re-enrollment after a five year or greater period of absence, the student may do so within three semesters of re-enrollment or within one calendar year, whichever comes first.
   1. The Academic Renewal GPA begins with the first semester following re-enrollment.
6. Re-entry into any program is not automatic.
7. If a student is denied Academic Renewal and subsequently does not re-enroll, he/she may resubmit an Academic Renewal application after no fewer than three semesters have passed since the initial petition.
8. Georgia College applications for Academic Renewal will be reviewed by the Registrar and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services. Students on academic exclusion must apply for Academic Renewal prior to reentering Georgia College. A decision to participate in the Academic Renewal program is irreversible.
9. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.
10. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs such as teacher education or nursing which require a specific minimum grade point average based upon all course work.
11. Any currently enrolled student who has experienced an interrupted five year (or longer) period of non-attendance at the institution in which he/she is currently enrolled may apply for an Academic Renewal GPA.
    1. For currently enrolled students, there is a one year “window of opportunity” for requesting Academic Renewal status commencing with the effective date of this policy.
    2. The Academic Renewal GPA will include all course work taken since re-enrollment.
12. The policy became effective upon the date of favorable action by the Board of Regents.