Academic probation usually means a student’s GPA has dropped below the level their college requires for good standing. It is a warning, not an expulsion: the student typically has a set period, often a semester, to raise their grades. The exact rules vary by school, so the first step is to read the notice carefully and meet with an academic advisor.
What probation usually involves
Every college sets its own policy, but most share a similar shape:
- A minimum GPA for good standing, either for the term, overall or both
- A probation period with a GPA target to reach by the end of it
- Conditions during probation, which can include a limited course load, required advising meetings, a study skills workshop or an academic plan
- Possible next steps if grades do not improve, such as continued probation, suspension or dismissal
- Separate rules that may affect financial aid, scholarships, athletics or housing
Federal aid has its own standard, often called Satisfactory Academic Progress, and a scholarship may have yet another GPA requirement. The student should ask the advisor and the financial aid office exactly which requirements apply. Do not rely on a general article, including this one, for your school’s specific rules.
The first week after the notice
- Read the whole letter. Note the GPA target, the deadline, any required meetings and any appeal deadline.
- Book the advisor meeting now. Ask what GPA you need, how many credits that is spread across, and whether retaking a course replaces the old grade at your school.
- Check aid and scholarships. Ask financial aid whether your aid is affected and whether there is an appeal or plan process.
- Tell your parents if they are paying. The conversation is easier now than when grades post again.
- Write down honestly what went wrong. Missed classes? Too many credits? A job? Not asking for help? Something personal? The plan has to fix the actual cause.
A semester plan that tends to work
- A manageable load. If the school allows it, a slightly lighter schedule with courses you can do well in.
- Go to every class. It sounds basic. Attendance is often the first thing to slip and the easiest thing to fix.
- Office hours early. Introduce yourself to each professor in the first two weeks, before there is a problem.
- A fixed weekly plan. Map every deadline for the term in week one, then plan each week on Sunday. See time management for college students.
- Study methods that work. Practice testing and spaced review beat rereading. See study habits that work in college.
- Use campus support. Tutoring centers, writing centers and disability services exist for this.
- Check grades monthly. If a class is going badly, talk to the advisor before the withdrawal deadline. See should you drop a class.
If something else is going on
Probation sometimes follows a semester affected by illness, a family crisis, depression, anxiety or substance use. If so, tell the advisor or dean of students; some schools have processes for this, and a leave of absence is sometimes the better path. A licensed professional or campus counseling is the right support for mental health concerns. In a crisis, call or text 988.
For parents
A probation letter often comes as a surprise, especially since colleges generally do not share grades with parents without the student’s consent. Try to keep the first conversation about the plan rather than the past. Ask to see the plan, agree on how you will check in, and let the student make the calls to the advisor themselves. Our guide on helping a struggling college student covers the conversation in more detail.
How a mentor helps a student get back on track
The plan usually is not the hard part; doing it every week is. A mentor meets with the student by video on a set schedule in their time zone, reviews the week’s deadlines, checks that office hours and advising meetings actually happen and adjusts the plan as grades come in. Mentors are not tutors, so subject help comes from the campus tutoring center and professors. With the student’s permission, parents get regular progress updates. See mentoring for college students and accountability coaching.
Related
- Mentoring for college students
- Helping a struggling college student
- Executive function skills
- Study habits that work in college
- Failing Classes in College: What to Do Mid-Semester
Common questions
Does academic probation show on your transcript?
It depends on the school. Some note academic standing on the transcript and some do not; the registrar can tell you.
Can you appeal academic probation?
Many schools allow an appeal, especially for suspension or dismissal, and often have strict deadlines. Read your notice and ask your advisor right away.
Will my parents be told about probation?
Colleges usually do not share academic records with parents unless the student has given written consent. Many students choose to tell their parents themselves, which tends to go better.
Get started
Is a student on academic probation? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.