Academic/Progress Notice and Pause Policy

In accordance with State regulations, the following academic and progress notice and pause policy has been established. The primary purpose is to ensure that a student is making progress toward an educational objective and to alert the student and the student's counselor to the possible need for additional counseling and/or special services.
 

What is Academic and Progress Notice?
 

Academic Notice - Students will be placed on academic notice if they have less than a cumulative 2.0 GPA after having attempted 12 or more cumulative units. Students will be removed from academic notice when their cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.
 

Progress Notice - Students are placed on progress notice after having attempted 12 or more cumulative units and "W", "I", and "NP" symbols reach or exceed half the cumulative units attempted. Students will be removed from progress notice when the cumulative number of "W", "I", and "NP" symbols recorded is less than half the cumulative units attempted.
 

Notice Extensions
A student on academic notice who earns a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher, but whose cumulative GPA still results in academic notice, will have their time on notice extended an additional semester rather than progressing toward pause status.
A student on progress notice who completes more than 50% of all units attempted in a semester, but whose cumulative record still results in progress notice, will have their time on notice extended an additional semester rather than progressing toward pause status.

Consequences of Notice:

  • Suspension of Financial Aid

  • Sequential classes with substandard grades must be repeated. For example, if students do not pass ENGL 100 F, they must repeat this course before they can take the next English course.

  • Added expenses for repeating classes to raise GPA

  • Graduation and/or transfer delays or complications

  • Loss of enrollment priority if on academic or progress notice for three (3) consecutive terms, until the student is no longer on notice

  • Loss of California College Promise Grant (CCPG) eligibility if on academic or progress notice for two (2) consecutive primary terms (Foster Youth, as defined in Education Code, are exempt)

Pause: Students may be placed on academic or progress pause if they are on notice for more than three (3) consecutive terms.
 

Academic Pause
A student who has been placed on academic notice and earned a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in three (3) consecutive terms will be subject to academic pause.
 

Progress Pause
A student who has been placed on progress notice for three (3) consecutive terms shall be subject to progress pause.
 

Consequences of Academic and Progress Pause

  • Students will not be able to register for credit classes until they submit a Petition for Academic Restart and are approved.

  • If approved for restart, students will return on academic or progress notice and may be limited to 12 units or less per term

  • Academic or progress pause will be permanently noted on the student's transcript.

  • Suspension of Financial Aid

  • Sequential classes with substandard grades must be repeated. For example, if students do not pass ENGL 100 F, they must repeat this course before they can take the next English Course.

  • Added expenses for repeating classes to raise GPA

  • Graduation and/or transfer delays or complications

While on pause, students remain eligible to access support services (counseling, tutoring, the food bank, health services, and more) and may enroll in noncredit courses.

Petition for Academic Restart: If a student has been placed on academic or progress pause, they may petition for restart on a conditional basis with the Admissions and Records Office. Students must present positive evidence of a serious intent to succeed and have a realistic academic goal identified. If the petition is granted, students will be admitted on either academic or progress notice, but with enrollment limitations. Steps for restart:

  • It is strongly recommended that students meet with a counselor to discuss their past and future academic performance.

  • Students should complete the Petition for Academic Restart with a written explanation and tell us how they will correct past poor academic performance.

  • The form is located here: https://admissions.fullcoll.edu/academic-pause-policy/

  • After the petition is reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee, the student will be notified by email, typically within 7-10 business days.

  • If the petition is denied, the student may not enroll in credit classes at Fullerton or Cypress College, but may continue to access support services.

Strategies for Academic Success: Here are a few basic strategies a student can use to be removed from notice and avoid pause.

  • Ask for Help - Counselors, faculty, staff, and others are all available to help students succeed.

  • Students should clean up their transcript! - Retaking classes with D or F grades is the quickest way to improve a student's GPA and be removed from notice. A "C" or higher grade may substitute any previous substandard grade. Students who are on progress notice should complete more than 50% of their units each term to avoid pause. If students must drop, they should do so during the first two weeks of the term so that a "W" is not recorded.

  • Take fewer units! - Students should reduce their course unit load to devote more free time to each course, especially if they have work or family obligations. Students should remember that rushing to fulfill their educational goal may result in having to repeat courses, wasting time and money.

  • Make an Educational Plan - Students should talk to a counselor to make sure they are on track.

  • Take a counseling course such as COUN 151 F.

  • Practice effective learning strategies/study skills.

  • Use campus resources - Students should talk to their professors and consider in-person or online tutoring if they are having trouble. Students should consider utilizing the library if studying at home is too distracting. Find a job on campus if possible.

  • Address basic needs - Students experiencing food insecurity or financial stress should connect with the Basic Needs Center for the food pantry, health services, and emergency financial assistance and referrals.

  • Drop classes before the deadlines. Students should check their schedule after they drop. Students should not assume a professor will drop them; drops must be completed by the student in myGateway.

Impact on Transcript: A hold will be placed on the student's record for credit course enrollment, and "Academic Pause" or "Progress Pause" will appear permanently on the student's academic transcript.

Impact on Enrollment Priority: Students must be in good academic standing to qualify for enrollment priority. Students on academic or progress notice for three (3) consecutive terms will lose enrollment priority until they are no longer on notice. Registration appointments are issued in accordance with Title 5 regulations.

Impact on California College Promise Grant (CCPG): Students placed on academic or progress notice for two (2) consecutive primary terms will lose CCPG (formerly BOG Fee Waiver) eligibility. Foster Youth, as defined in Education Code, are exempt from losing CCPG eligibility due to academic or progress notice. Students at risk of losing CCPG eligibility will be notified, and counseling services are available to help maintain eligibility.

Appeal Process: Students may appeal placement on academic or progress notice or pause. Appeal procedures are published by the district. Grounds for appeal may include extenuating circumstances (verified cases of accidents, illnesses, or circumstances beyond the student's control), significant academic improvement, or disability-related issues where reasonable accommodation was not provided in a timely manner. Contact the Admissions and Records Office for information about the appeal process.

Notification: The College will notify students placed on academic or progress notice or pause at or near the beginning of the term in which it takes effect, no later than the start of the fall term, via email to the student's college email account. Students will also be notified of removal from notice or approval for academic restart within timelines established by the district.