Academic Status

Classification

Classification is based on the number of St. Olaf total credits earned/completed: 

First-Year:  0-7.75 credits
Sophomore:  8.00-16.75 credits
Junior: 17.00-24.75 credits
Senior: 25.00 or more credits

Academic Probation

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the policy set forth by the College to ensure students are making progress toward their degree. To maintain good academic standing and eligibility for all types of financial aid at St. Olaf College, students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a degree. SAP standards are based on federal regulations and apply to federal, state and St. Olaf financial aid. SAP standards are cumulative and include all periods of enrollment, whether or not the student received financial aid.

Overview of Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

There are three parts to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Compliance with each of the following is required to maintain good academic standing and eligibility for financial aid:

• Grade Point Average (GPA) - SAP policy requires that students maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) to remain eligible for financial aid. The cumulative GPA is described in the SAP chart below.
• Cumulative Overall Progress - Federal SAP standards require that students make steady progress toward completion of their degree program by completing at least 67% of all their attempted courses. St. Olaf requires students to meet the course completion requirement based on the chart below.
• Timely Program Completion - Undergraduate Students: Maximum Time frame Four years (eight semesters) is the normal time for completing an undergraduate degree. More information can be found under Maximum Time Frame Standard in the Financial Aid Program section of the catalog.
• All students are required to complete the minimum Courses Completed and Cumulative GPA in the time frame outlined in the chart below.

The Academic Standing Committee will evaluate Satisfactory Academic Progress after each period of enrollment (Fall, January term/Spring). If a student is not meeting the minimum guidelines, they will be notified by a letter sent from the Registrar’s office, followed by an email from the Academic Success Center outlining requirements for Success Coaching.

Decisions resulting in academic suspension or the placement of a student on academic probation are made by the Academic Standing Committee, which includes members of the Registrar's Office, one of whom chairs the committee; a member of the Dean of Students Office; a member of the Financial Aid Office; the Director of Academic Success Center or their designee; and the Director of the Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion or their designee.

The college notifies the parent(s)/guardian(s) of financially dependent or consenting students when academic suspension occurs (unless the student has specified in SIS that parents and/or guardians should not be notified).

Students placed on suspension status may appeal the suspension decision to an appeals board composed of the Provost and Dean of the College, the Vice President of Student Life, the Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, and the Registrar. The appeal must be made in writing and sent to the Office of the Registrar within seven days of the date of notification of an academic suspension. The due date of an appeal will be in the academic suspension letter. The decision of the appeals board is final.

In most cases failure to meet minimum academic progress standards will result in academic suspension for one calendar year (two full semesters). All suspended students must reapply to the college for readmission. Students who wish to be readmitted to the college should contact readmission@stolaf.edu or go to the website for readmission information. Decisions to readmit students who have been suspended are made by the Readmission Committee, which includes a member of the Dean of Students Office, who chairs the committee; a member of the Registrar’s Office; Associate Dean and Director of Residence Life; a member of the Student Accounts Office; and a member of the Financial Aid Office. The readmission decision will take into consideration the student’s history and actions or circumstances that would justify readmission, for example, successful completion of coursework at another institution.  Students readmitted to the College after being placed on academic probation will be required to have an Academic Success Plan on file with the Academic Success Center and the Financial Aid Office prior to reinstatement of their financial aid. These students will be required to meet all SAP requirements moving forward after they return to the College. 

Academic Probation

When students do not meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, their status will be changed from “good" academic standing to “academic probation.” Students are required to meet with their assigned Success Coach prior to, or at the start of the next semester to complete an academic success plan.

Initial Success Coach Meeting Goals:

1. Explain both SAP standards and Academic Probation requirements.
2. Discuss previous barriers to success; both academic and personal.
3. Identify improvement areas and relevant campus resources.
4. Create individualized SMART goals.
5. Schedule recurring meetings throughout the semester as a time to check in and adjust plans as needed. 

Academic Suspension

A student may be academically suspended if the student is on probationary status and fails to achieve minimal academic progress. Minimal academic progress is defined as that combination of course completions and grade points that suggest the probable completion of graduation requirements in four years with at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Such progress is expected to approximate the following scale:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.00 after the completion of 25 credits
• Cumulative GPA of 1.90 after the completion of 17 credits
• Cumulative GPA of 1.80 after the completion of 8 credits

Normally, a student is not considered for suspension unless they have been on probation for at least one semester. The college reserves the right, under extraordinary circumstances, however, to suspend a student who has not been on probation.

Decisions resulting in academic suspension or the placement of a student on academic probation are made by the Academic Standing Committee, which includes members of the Registrar's Office, one of whom chairs the committee; a member of the Dean of Students Office; a member of the Financial Aid Office; the Director of the Academic Success Center or their designee; and the Director of the Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion or their designee.

The college notifies the parent(s)/guardian(s) of financially dependent or consenting students when academic suspension occurs.

Students placed on suspension status may appeal the suspension decision to an appeals board composed of the Dean of the College, the Vice President of Student Life, the Vice President for Community and Belonging, and the Registrar. The appeal must be made in writing and sent to the Registrar's Office within seven days of the date of receipt of the suspension letter. The decision of the appeals board is final.

Failure to meet minimum academic progress standards may result in academic suspension for one calendar year (two full semesters). All suspended students must reapply to the college for readmission. Students who wish to be readmitted to the college should contact the Dean of Students Office at (507) 786-3615 or readmission@stolaf.edu for permission to return and re-entry information. Decisions to readmit students who have been suspended are made by the Readmission Committee, which includes a member of the Dean of Students Office who chairs the committee; a member of the Registrar’s Office; a member of the Student Accounts Office; and a member of the Financial Aid Office. The readmission decision will take into consideration the student’s history and actions or circumstances that would justify readmission, for example, successful completion of coursework at another institution. Students readmitted to the College after being placed on academic probation will be required to have an Academic Success Plan on file with the Academic Success Center and the Financial Aid Office prior to reinstatement of their financial aid. These students will be required to meet all SAP requirements moving forward after they return to the College.