Academic Probation

• Students are subject to academic probation if their cumulative grade point average is lower than 2.0 based on all courses taken at Santa Clara University.
• Students are also subject to academic probation if they fail to make satisfactory progress toward their degree as defined below:
  • Completing at least 36 quarter units in the previous three quarters of residency OR
  • Completing at least 36 quarter units by the end of the third quarter of residency
  • Completing at least 76 quarter units by the end of the sixth quarter of residency
  • Completing at least 115 quarter units by the end of the ninth quarter of residency
  • Completing at least 160 quarter units by the end of the twelfth quarter of residency
• Students may also be subject to academic probation if they earn no letter grades in a quarter. This includes earning all Pass/No Pass, Incomplete, In Progress, or not recorded grades or any combination of the above. Even if you earn all Pass grades, since no grade points are earned, you will have a 0.0 GPA and may be placed on Academic Probation.
• Students who are not able to meet these terms for the designated quarter are placed on Continued Probation.
  
  
  

• Advising Hold
  • An advising hold will be placed on your Workday account which prevents registration in future classes. You must meet with a University Advisor to discuss your situation and make a plan for improvement.
• Terms of Academic Probation
  • You must complete the quarter with a minimum 2.3 term GPA, with no grades of D, F, I, NP, NS, or W.
  • You must complete the quarter with a minimum of 12 units unless you were granted exceptions.
  • You may not withdraw from any courses during the quarter without the consent of an Academic Advisor.
  • In addition to the initial meeting with your Academic advisor, you must meet with your Academic advisor at least once during your probationary period to discuss your academic progress.
  • You must complete an academic improvement plan which allows you to think critically about the challenges you have faced, identify resources to support you and come up with a plan towards removal of Academic Probation.

• We recommend that you take the following steps:
  • Complete the academic improvement plan to reflect on the challenges you faced in the past and come up with a plan. Review our Support for Academic Difficulties to identify resources that could support you.
  • Meet with a University Advisor to discuss your options and create a strategy for your upcoming quarter.
    
    

1. Return After Withdrawal – Students on Academic Probation (One Term Only):

Students who were placed on academic probation for a single term and subsequently withdraw from the University may request to return as early as the term following their withdrawal. Approval to return is contingent upon completion of the university's return process and confirmation of good standing with all relevant administrative offices (e.g., Student Accounts, Registrar, Housing).

2. Appeal Process for Continued Probation Students Who Withdraw (Two or more terms):

Students who withdraw from SCU on continued probation (prior to academic disqualification) are eligible to petition for an earlier return to SCU under exceptional circumstances.

To be considered for re-enrollment, withdrawn students must submit an Appeal for Re-enrollment by the published deadline (see below). The petition must include a formal appeal outlining how the student has prepared for a successful return to Santa Clara University.

The Appeal Must Include:

• Academic Engagement: Evidence of any academic work completed during the time away from SCU. This may include coursework from an accredited institution with strong academic performance (e.g., minimum of 12 units per term with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher).
• Personal Development: Description of ongoing personal steps taken to support academic success, which may include mental health treatment, counseling, employment, community involvement, or other relevant experiences.
• Reflection and Readiness: A thoughtful narrative reflecting on prior academic,  personal and/or environmental challenges faced while at SCU, the steps taken to address them, and a clear plan for how the student intends to succeed if readmitted to SCU.

Additional Supporting Documentation:

• Official transcripts from any institutions attended during the absence.
• Letter(s) of support from professionals and supporters (academic advisors, instructors, counselors etc.) if applicable.

Please send all completed appeal statements to drahmanncenter@scu.edu

Review Process

The petition will be reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee, which considers both the student’s prior academic history and the strength of their appeal. The decision of the committee is final.

Consideration of Factors: The review committee will consider various factors when evaluating the appeal, including but not limited to the student's academic performance, extenuating circumstances, efforts made to address any issues, and the potential for improvement. The committee will assess whether there are grounds to allow the student to return based on the information provided.

Notification of Decision: After careful deliberation, the review committee will provide a written decision to the student prior to the start of the next quarter. The decision will clearly state whether the student is eligible to return to SCU in an upcoming term. The decision of the review committee will be final and binding.

Student Support: Students whose petitions are approved will be readmitted on academic probation and required to meet specific conditions to remain in good standing. This includes:

• Completing at least 12 units and maintaining a term GPA of 2.3.
• Meeting with an academic advisor.
• Creating an academic improvement plan which includes strategically created course schedules and other support resources such as Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) and Drahmann tutoring services.
• Committing to visiting faculty office hours every week so that the student can have a plan to overcome any challenges they faced in the past.

Please note that the decision applies to only one quarter and the student may still be disqualified if academic improvement according to the plan is not demonstrated in the awarded quarter.

Important Notes:

• Re-enrollment is not guaranteed and is contingent on the strength of the appeal and evidence of readiness.
• Students may not enroll in SCU summer sessions or extension programs during the withdrawn period.
• The deadline to submit a re-enrollment petition is as per the Returning Student Form deadlines for the enrollment period of the upcoming term. Please see the university calendar to plan accordingly.  

Santa Clara University: Academic Disqualification Policy Update, June 2025

Academic Disqualification

Students who do not meet the university’s academic standing requirements after a period of continued academic probation (two or more terms on academic or continued probation) may be academically disqualified from Santa Clara University. Academic disqualification is a formal separation from the university due to sustained unsatisfactory academic performance.

Eligibility for Re-enrollment

Students who are academically disqualified are not eligible to enroll in courses at SCU for a minimum of one academic year (e.g., following Spring term results in earliest eligibility for return in the following Fall term).

Re-enrollment Process

To be considered for re-enrollment, academically disqualified students must submit an Appeal for Re-enrollment by the published deadline (see below). The petition must include a formal appeal outlining how the student has prepared for a successful return to Santa Clara University.

The Appeal Must Include:

• Academic Engagement: Evidence of academic work completed during the time away from SCU. This may include coursework from an accredited institution with strong academic performance (e.g., minimum of 12 units per term with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher).
• Personal Development: Description of ongoing personal steps taken to support academic success, which may include mental health treatment, counseling, employment, community involvement, or other relevant experiences.
• Reflection and Readiness: A thoughtful narrative reflecting on prior academic,  personal and/or environmental challenges faced while at SCU, the steps taken to address them, and a clear plan for how the student intends to succeed if readmitted to SCU.

Additional Requirements:

• Official transcripts from any institutions attended during the absence.
• Letter(s) of support from professionals and supporters (academic advisors, instructors, counselors etc.) if applicable.

Please send all completed appeal statements to drahmanncenter@scu.edu

Review Process

The petition will be reviewed by the Academic Standing Review Committee, which considers both the student’s prior academic history and the strength of their appeal. The decision of the committee is final.

Consideration of Factors: The review committee will consider various factors when evaluating the appeal, including but not limited to the student's academic performance, extenuating circumstances, efforts made to address any issues, and the potential for improvement. The committee will assess whether there are grounds to mitigate or reverse the disqualification decision based on the information provided.

Notification of Decision: After careful deliberation, the review committee will provide a written decision to the student prior to the start of the next quarter. The decision will clearly state whether the disqualification has been upheld, modified, or reversed, along with the reasons for the decision. The decision of the review committee will be final and binding.

Student Support: If the disqualification is modified or reversed, the student will be allowed to return for the following Fall quarter. Students whose petitions are approved will be readmitted on academic probation and required to meet specific conditions to remain in good standing. This includes:

• Completing at least 12 units and maintaining a term GPA of 2.3.
• Meeting with an academic advisor once every two weeks.
• Creating an academic improvement plan (AIP) which includes strategically created course schedules and other support resources such as Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) and Drahmann tutoring services.
• Committing to visiting faculty office hours every week so that the student can have a plan to overcome any challenges they faced in the past.

Please note that the reversal decision applies to only one quarter and the student may still be permanently disqualified if academic improvement according to the plan is not demonstrated in the awarded quarter.

Important Notes:

• Re-enrollment is not guaranteed and is contingent on the strength of the appeal and evidence of readiness.
• Re-enrollment is only allowed in the upcoming Fall term.
• Students may not enroll in SCU summer sessions or extension programs during the  period.
• The deadline to submit a re-enrollment petition for Fall readmission is April 15.
• Petitions will not be accepted BEFORE April 1.