Academic standing policy
Students must demonstrate academic progress to continue their enrollment at Sandburg. Their academic standing is reviewed at the end of fall, spring to determine their standing in the next semester. Eligibility for financial aid is evaluated under satisfactory academic progress.
Good academic standing
Good academic standing is a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and a minimum cumulative 67% completion rate for attempted credits. Students who are in good academic standing may continue to enroll.
Academic warning
Students who fall below a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA) or a cumulative completion rate of 67% of attempted credits will be placed on academic warning, but they are permitted to enroll in courses. Students on academic warning who earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.2 and a minimum semester completion rate of 75% will remain on academic warning until they meet good academic standing requirements. Students on academic warning who earn less than a 2.2 semester GPA or less than a 75% semester completion rate will progress to academic probation.
Academic probation
Students on academic probation are permitted to enroll but must show academic improvement and are highly encouraged to meet with the Sandburg success coach. Students on academic probation who earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.2 and a minimum semester completion rate of 75% will remain on academic probation until they meet good academic standing requirements. Students on academic probation who earn less than a 2.2 semester GPA or less than a 75% semester completion rate will progress to academic last chance.
Academic last chance
When a student is placed on academic last chance, it is considered their last semester to improve their academic standing before they are suspended. These students are expected to meet with the Sandburg success coach throughout the semester. They are restricted to enrolling in 12 credit hours each semester until they return to good academic standing unless they are granted permission from the Dean of Enrollment Management to enroll in more than 12 credit hours. Students on academic last chance who earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.2 and a minimum semester completion rate of 75% will remain on academic last chance until they meet good academic standing requirements. Students earning less than a 2.2 semester GPA or less than a 75% semester completion rate will be suspended.
Academic suspension
Students on academic suspension must meet one re-enrollment criterion and appeal for approval to re-enroll in undergraduate courses, including courses taken on an audit basis. Appeals will be considered once the student meets one of the following criteria:
Re-enrollment criteria
- As demonstrated on official transcripts, the student has made substantial academic progress at another accredited college or university after their suspension from Sandburg. The student must complete at least 12 credit hours (or the equivalent) within two consecutive academic years with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2 and a 75% completion rate, as demonstrated on official transcripts.
- The student has sat out for two full consecutive academic years.
Appeal process to return to Sandburg, students must:
- Meet one of the re-enrollment criteria above.
- Meet with the Sandburg success coach or academic advisor to develop a detailed academic improvement plan. Call 309.341.5237 to schedule an appointment.
- File an appeal that includes:
- An explanation of a change in circumstances, resources or support that will improve their chances of academic success.
- The detailed academic improvement plan developed with the Sandburg success coach or academic advisor.
- Official transcripts (if appealing under criterion 1).
Allow 15 business days for appeal processing before the start of the semester.
Reinstated on appeal
If the Faculty Council or vice president grants a student’s appeal, the student will be restricted to 12 credit hours each semester until they return to good academic standing unless they receive permission from the dean of enrollment management to exceed this limit. The Faculty Council or vice president may impose additional re-enrollment conditions to build the student’s academic skills. Students who are reinstated must earn a minimum term GPA of 2.2 and a minimum term completion rate of 75% each semester to remain enrolled until they meet good academic standing requirements. If a student does not meet the term GPA of 2.2 and the minimum term completion rate of 75% after reinstatement, they will go back on academic suspension and need to meet one of the re-enrollment criteria to return.
Denied appeal
If the Faculty Council denies the student’s appeal, the student may appeal to the vice president of academic services or, in their absence, the vice president of student development. Appeals to the vice president will be considered only on:
- New or additional information not provided in the original appeal to the Faculty Council
- A procedural error
If the vice president denies the appeal, the decision is final. The student must reestablish eligibility by meeting one of the re-enrollment criteria above. The two-year period or the completion of 12 credit hours at another institution restarts from the term of the denied appeal.
Support services
To help you maintain good academic standing or appeal any decisions, take advantage of the various free resources you have at Sandburg.
Tutoring Center
The Tutoring Center for Sandburg students can help with all core subjects, from math to English to science. 24/7 online free tutoring is available through the chat-based platform, Brainfuse, accessed on mySandburg / Brainfuse.
For more information, visit the Galesburg center in the student center, email the center, or call 309.341.5454. Carthage: For more information at the Carthage campus, email, or call 217.357.3129, ext. 7243.
Disability Support
Disability Support at Sandburg helps make the classroom environment (whether in-person, virtual or online) equally accessible to students with disabilities. For more information email academic support services, or call 309.341.5262.
Academic advising & Sandburg success coaches
Your academic advisor or Sandburg success coach can help you plan academic goals and overcome obstacles along the way year-round. They’re also a great resource to help you with time management and study skills. Make an appointment with your advisor or coach to develop an individual plan to complete your degree. Email them, or call 309.341.5237.
Counseling services are a free resource to Sandburg students. Whether you are a first-time college student or returning to school due to a life transition, sometimes it helps to talk with an objective listener. Email them, or call 309.341.5237.