Standards for Academic Performance

The Standards of Academic Performance at Harper College are designed to support student success while clearly defining expectations for academic progress. These standards explain how academic performance is evaluated, what students can expect if they struggle, and what support is available to help them succeed. 

Rationale for Standards

The Standards of Academic Performance at Harper College have been established in order to:

Support the student in achieving of academic success:

Harper College uses a proactive, student-centered approach to academic support through Flight of the Hawks: Prepare to SOAR. Advisors work with students individually to identify challenges, build academic skills, and create plans for success.

Clearly define expectations for academic progress:

The Standards explain what it means to be academically successful at Harper College and outline the benchmarks students must meet to remain in good standing. This clarity helps students set realistic academic and personal goals.

Clarify shared responsibilities:

The Standards describe: 

  • the student’s responsibility to make satisfactory academic progress, and 
  • the College’s responsibility to evaluate progress and provide timely support and intervention when needed. 

Allow the institution to maintain its academic integrity.

Categories of Standards

Good Standing

A student is meeting the College’s academic requirements and may continue enrolling without restrictions. 

What this means for the student: 

  • A student is in Good Standing because:  
  • their cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher, and 
  • they have completed at least 67% of the courses you attempted. 
  • While in Good Standing:  
  • A student may register for courses normally, without credit limits related to academic status. 
  • No additional academic interventions are required. 
  • Staying in Good Standing means a student is on track toward their academic goals. 

Academic Warning

A student is starting to fall behind academically, and this is an early notice to slow down and use support resources before things get worse. 

What this means for the student: 

  • A student is on Academic Warning because their overall GPA is below 2.0 and/or they have completed less than 67% of their attempted courses. 

  • Academic Warning is an early alert, not a penalty. 

  • While on Academic Warning:  

  • A student is advised (not required) to limit their enrollment to no more than 13 credit hours. 

  • They are required to participate in success-oriented strategies, such as advising or academic planning. 

  • The goal of Academic Warning is to help students make changes early so they can avoid Academic Probation. 

Academic Probation

A student is not meeting academic requirements right now, and they must limit their course load and use support resources to get back on track. 

What this means for the student: 

  • A student is on Academic Probation because their overall GPA is below 2.0 and/or they have completed less than 67% of their attempted courses. 

  • This usually happens after a student was previously warned, and their academic performance did not improve. 

  • While on Academic Probation:  

  • A student is limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours. 

  • A student is required to participate in success-oriented support, such as advising or academic planning. 

  • The goal of Academic Probation is to help students improve their academic standing and avoid more serious consequences. 

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Probation Plus

A student is making academic progress, and some restrictions have been lifted, but they are not yet back in good standing. 

What this means for the student: 

  • A student is on Probation Plus because:  

  • their overall GPA is still below 2.0, but 

  • they earned a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, showing improvement. 

  • This status recognizes that a student is moving in the right direction. 

  • As a result:  

  • The mandatory advising hold and 13 credit hour limit are removed in the semester after they earn the 2.0+ GPA. 

  • A student is expected to continue improving so they can return to good academic standing. 

Academic Suspension

A student has not made enough academic progress over several semesters, so they must take a required break from the College before they can return. 

What this means for the student: 

  • A student is placed on Academic Suspension if:  

  • they have attempted 40 or more credit hours, and 

  • they have had three semesters in a row with an overall GPA below 2.0, including at least one semester on Academic Probation, and 

  • their most recent semester GPA was below 2.0 (including repeated courses). 

  • Academic Suspension means:  

  • A student must sit out for one full fall or spring semester. 

  • If a student is suspended after the spring semester, they cannot enroll in summer or fall. 

  • The purpose of suspension is to give a student time to reset, reflect, and address barriers to success. 

  • When a student returns, you will be required to participate in success-oriented strategies to support their academic progress. 

Dismissal

A student must be away from the College for at least two full semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall). 

  • After the dismissal period:  

  • A student must submit a petition to the Dean of Student Success and Retention to request reinstatement. 

  • Approval to return is not automatic and is based on whether a student can show readiness to succeed academically. 

Academic Status Reason Action
Good Standing You are meeting academic expectations and are on track; Cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher and course completion rate is at least 67%. You may enroll normally with no academic restrictions; Continue using effective study habits and academic planning to stay on track.
Academic Warning Earned cumulative GPA less than 2.0, or a course completion rate less than 67%, will be placed on Academic Warning. Mandatory advising appointment prior to registration for next semester. Mandatory restriction to maximum of 13 credit hours, with additional success-oriented strategies.
Academic Probation Previous semester with Academic Warning, and cumulative GPA less than 2.0, or course completion rate less than 67%, will be placed on Academic Probation. Mandatory advising appointment prior to registration for next semester. Mandatory restriction to maximum of 13 credit hours, with additional success-oriented strategies.
Probation Plus Previous semester in Academic Probation (cumulative GPA <2.0), with an earned semester GPA greater than 2.0. Mandated Probation restrictions will be lifted in the semester following the term in which the student earned a semester GPA greater than 2.0.
Academic Suspension Attempted 40 or more credit hours, at least three successive semesters with cumulative GPA less than 2.0 with one of those semesters in probation and earned below a 2.0 semester GPA (recalculated to include repeated courses) the last semester they were enrolled. One semester suspension. Required success-oriented strategies upon return.
Post Suspension Semester after suspension and subsequent semesters with semester GPA of 2.0 or higher (recalculated to include repeated courses) and cumulative GPA of less than 2.0. Mandatory restriction to maximum of 13 credit hours. Required success-oriented strategies.
Dismissal One semester after suspension or a previous semester in post dismissal with semester GPA (recalculated to include repeated courses) and cumulative GPA less than 2.0. Dismissal for two semesters. Must petition for reinstatement.
Post Dismissal Semester after reinstatement from dismissal and subsequent semesters with semester GPA (recalculated to include repeated courses) of 2.0 or higher and cumulative GPA of less than 2.0. Mandatory restriction to maximum of 13 credit hours. Required success-oriented strategies.