Academic Standards
Students are expected to make satisfactory progress each term they are enrolled. Satisfactory academic progress (good standing) is demonstrated when students successfully maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 2.00 or as defined below. At the end of the fall and spring semesters, the progress of each student will be reviewed. If a student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.00, the student’s standing is determined by both attempted credits and a minimum cumulative GPA earned at HCC:
- 12 – 15 attempted credits, a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.00 is required;
- 16 – 30 attempted credits, a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.50 is required;
- 31 – 40 attempted credits, a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.75 is required;
- 41 or greater attempted credits, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required.
Financial aid recipients are subject to additional standards of academic progress as required by federal Title IV regulations. Students using VA education benefits or tuition assistance are subject to additional standards of academic progress as determined by the Veterans Administration or the U.S. Department of Defense.
A student who has not achieved minimum cumulative GPA standards after 12 or more cumulative attempted credits will be placed on either academic warning or academic probation as described below.
Academic Warning
After attempting 12 credits, a student who is not making satisfactory academic progress is placed on academic warning. Students on academic warning receive notification of their status and are required to follow the intervention procedure outlined for them in their notification. Students who achieve at least a 2.00 semester grade point average remain on academic warning until reaching good standing. Students who fail to meet this requirement are placed on academic probation.
Academic Probation
Academic probation results when a student on academic warning fails to reach the prescribed minimum standard for cumulative GPA. It is recommended that students on academic probation meet with an academic advisor at least once prior to registration for the next semester. Students on academic probation will be limited to registering for eight credit hours in the next semester. Students who achieve at least a 2.00 semester grade point average remain on academic probation until reaching good standing. Students who fail to meet this requirement are placed on academic suspension.
Academic Suspension
A student on academic probation who fails to reach the prescribed minimum standard for cumulative GPA and does not achieve at least a 2.00 semester GPA during the next major semester (fall/spring) in which enrolled is placed on academic suspension. When placed on academic suspension, the student may not attend HCC during the next major semester. Students have the right to appeal the first academic suspension.
SUSPENSION APPEAL–Details of the appeals process are included in the notification about the student's suspension. If a student’s appeal is granted, the student is reinstated and placed on academic probation. A student suspended for academic reasons a second or subsequent time is not permitted to register for any courses for one full calendar year.
REINSTATEMENT AFTER SUSPENSION–A student who has been suspended and has not been enrolled for one major semester or one full calendar year must contact retention services. Upon reinstatement, the student is placed on academic probation, the course schedule is restricted, and the student must meet the satisfactory progress standard as stated above. If satisfactory progress is not met, the student is suspended.