Academic Probation and Dismissal

What it means:

Your cumulative Sierra College GPA falls below 2.0 after completing 12 or more units or you didn’t complete at least 50% of the classes you remained enrolled in after the drop deadline. This would include Ws (Withdrawal), I’s (Incomplete), NP (No Pass), and NC (No Credit).

What happens next:

• Probation status applied to your transcript (student record).
• Allowed to enroll in no more than 13 units.
• Your financial aid will be impacted.
• Risk of Probation 2 status.

How to get off probation:

• Improve course completion rate.
• Reduce withdrawals (W’s) and incomplete courses.
• Raise cumulative Sierra College GPA to 2.0 or higher.
• Repeat failed courses (if advised) to improve grades. This includes completing any incomplete grades.
• Meet with your Sierra College counselor at least one time during the semester you are on Probation. Counselors help students understand their probation status, develop a Student Success Plan, and identify the best steps forward. Set up an appointment through Sierra Connect or call/visit the Counseling Office in person.
• Seek on-campus support and resources, including assistance with math, writing and subject-specific tutoring.

What it means:

Your cumulative Sierra College GPA falls below 2.0 after completing 12 or more units or you didn’t complete at least 50% of all attempted units [W (Withdrawal), I (Incomplete), NP (No Pass), or NC (No Credit)] for two consecutive semesters.

What happens next:

• Probation 2 status and registration hold applied to your student record.
  • A registration hold prevents you from making changes to your class schedule and the hold will not be removed until after you meet with a counselor.
• Allowed to enroll in no more than 13 units.
• Risk of dismissal the semester after Probation 2 status.
• You will lose your financial aid if action is not taken, and you do not complete the Probation 2 process.

How to get off probation 2:

• You are required to meet with a Counselor at least one time during the semester you are on Probation 2 to create an Academic Support Plan that you will follow to support you in your academic recovery. Set up an appointment through Sierra Connect or call/visit the Counseling Office in person.
• Raise cumulative GPA to 2.0 or higher.
• Improve course completion rate.
• Reduce withdrawals (W’s) and incomplete courses.
• Repeat failed courses (if advised) to improve grades.
• Seek on-campus support and resources, including assistance with math, writing and subject-specific tutoring.

What it means:

You are dismissed if you remain on academic or progress probation for three consecutive semesters.

What happens next:

You have the opportunity to appeal your dismissal. The appeal form is provided in your Academic Standing email.

If your appeal is not approved:

• A mandatory one-semester break before returning.
• Loss of financial aid eligibility. Would need to appeal for future terms.
• Loss of priority registration.

What to do if you’re dismissed:

• Request Readmission After Dismissal. Follow these steps to get started:
  1. Reapply to Sierra College if you’ve missed or sat out more than two terms.
  2. Meet with a Counselor and complete the Dismissal Readmission Petition.
  3. Submit the Dismissal Readmission Petition to Admissions and Records.
     • If your Dismissal Readmission Petition is approved:
       1. Meet with a Counselor. Counselors help students understand their probation status, develop a Student Education Plan, and identify the best steps forward. Set up an appointment through Sierra Connect or call/visit the Counseling Office in person.
       2. Seek on-campus support and resources, including assistance with math, writing and subject-specific tutoring.
       3. Appeal to receive future financial aid.
     • If your Dismissal Readmission Petition is denied:
       1. If you have been dismissed two times, the Dismissal Committee will review your petition. You may have your readmission postponed or denied if the committee thinks you have not presented enough evidence or that the problems leading to past dismissals have not been solved.
       2. You might consider enrolling and taking courses at another institution temporarily.
• Take a Semester Off: Use this time to improve study habits and work on personal issues.
• Consider Alternative Education Options: Enroll and take required courses at another community college.

Students on probation for two consecutive semesters will lose financial aid. Contact Financial Aid for appeal options.

Yes, repeated courses replace lower grades in GPA calculation. Talk to your counselor about what approach is best.

Once your cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher OR you complete more than 50% of attempted units, you will return to good standing.

No. You must meet with a Counselor at least one time to complete the Probation 2 process in order to get your registration hold removed. This means that you scheduled and attended one counseling appointment in which you worked with a Counselor to create and complete goals set in your Academic Support Plan.

You must still meet with a Counselor at least one time to complete the Probation 2 process in order to get your registration hold removed. This means that you scheduled and attended one counseling appointment in which you worked with a Counselor to create and complete goals set in your Academic Support Plan.

• Counseling Office for academic planning.
• Tutoring Center for subject-specific support.
• Financial Aid for financial-aid specific questions and resources