What is Academic Probation?
Academic probation (AP) refers to a one semester trial period for students who have failed to achieve satisfactory academic standing. A student on AP will be permitted to continue at the College only if significant improvement is shown. A student is placed on AP if his/her GPA falls below 1.7 for students in the University Transfer Program (including 098/099) and below 1.3 for Secondary students. ELC students who receive an unsatisfactory (U or NI) Progress Report are also considered to be on AP. A limit is placed on the number of courses/credits a student on AP takes, and a student on AP may withdraw from only one course. In addition, a student on AP who requires a school letter for the purpose of extending his/her study permit will find that counsellors will not normally indicate a period of acceptance beyond the duration of the semester in which the student is currently registered.
At the end of any grading period, a student whose cumulative or senior GPA is less than 2.0 will incur academic probation. In any one semester, a student who fails to pass two thirds of the hours taken or to attain at least a 1.5 GPA will have probationary status regardless of any previous average. Probationary status may be incurred at midterm but may be removed only at the end of a semester.
First-semester freshmen whose GPA falls below 1.6 for all work attempted at NIU will be placed on probation. All other undergraduate students failing to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all work attempted at NIU will also be placed on probation. Students placed on probation are required to schedule an appointment for a probation interview with the dean (or the dean’s delegate) of their major college. Students without a major and college affiliation will meet with a staff member in the Academic Advising Center. For more information about this policy consult the Undergraduate Catalog or speak with an academic advisor.
