Academic Actions

Policy Summary

If your cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below the minimum university-wide standard of 2.00, you will be subject to the academic actions of the university. Academic Action impacts students enrolled at a single university as well as those who may be dually enrolled at both UW-Parkside and UW-Milwaukee.

Academic Actions are based on both your subscription period GPA and cumulative GPA. If dually enrolled, you will have a cumulative and subscription period GPA at each university.

Cumulative GPA: calculated average of all grades received for your work at the university
Subscription period GPA: calculated average of your final course grades during a given term

If you are returning to the university after an absence and have not previously earned your degree, your cumulative GPA will continue from your last point of enrollment. If your cumulative GPA was below 2.00, you will be placed on academic probation during your first subscription period of enrollment.

Note to UW-Milwaukee Students (Internal Transfer Policy)

The Internal Transfer Policy GPA impacts students admitted to UW-Milwaukee in July 2019 or later and includes the following credit when calculating the University Cumulative GPA – (1) Former UWM Credit, (2) Former UW Colleges Credit, and (3) Former Flex Credit (prior to July 2019).

The Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) cumulative GPA includes any prior coursework completed at UWM and any transfer coursework taken at the former UW Colleges (2-year campus).
For all other undergraduate degrees, the Cumulative GPA includes prior UWM coursework only.

For assistance calculating your GPA, use the UW Flexible Option GPA Calculator tool.

To learn more about grades and GPA, visit Mastery, Grades, and Grade Point Average.

Academic Actions

The University Academic Action Policy establishes minimum standards for enrolled undergraduate students. Please consult your Success Coach if you have any questions about academic actions taken by the university.

Note: Academic actions may impact your eligibility for financial assistance. If you have questions about:

financial aid eligibility, contact the UW Flexible Option Financial Aid Office.
veteran’s benefits or military tuition assistance, contact your school certifying official.

UW-Milwaukee

If your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher, you are in good standing.

A student whose GPA falls below minimum university-wide standards for any grading period will be subject to the following academic actions:

Academic Probation:

If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.00 at the end of your subscription period, you will be placed on academic probation. The student on academic probation whose semester GPA is 2.000 or better, but whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.000, is permitted to continue on academic probation.

Academic Drop (one term):

If you are on academic probation and do not achieve a subscription period GPA of 2.00 in your next subscription period, you will be academically dropped for one subscription period.

Final Probation:

Upon reinstatement after an academic action, you may re-enroll in a future subscription period on final probation. The student on final probation whose semester GPA is 2.000 or better, but whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.000, is permitted to continue on final academic probation.

Academic Drop for two years:

Imposed on any student on final probation who fails to achieve a semester and cumulative GPA of 2.000 or better.

Cleared Probation:

When your cumulative GPA improves to 2.00 or higher at the end of your subscription period, you will return to Good Standing (probation will be cleared).

Academic actions are reported within 10 days after the close of the subscription period (after final grades are posted). Further information about UWM’s academic action policies can be found in the UWM Academic Catalog.

UW-Parkside

UW-Parkside is committed to student success. As such, UW-Parkside expects every undergraduate student to maintain good academic standing. Generally, a student is in good academic standing when their cumulative Parkside GPA is 2.00 or higher. The cumulative Parkside GPA includes grades earned in all courses taken at UW-Parkside. Students who fail to maintain this minimum GPA will face academic probation or suspension.

Please note that while a student’s degree GPA (cumulative GPA for all UW-Parkside and transfer credits) is not included as part of the determination of academic standing, students must have a degree GPA of 2.00 or higher to graduate with an undergraduate degree from UW-Parkside.

For UW Flexible Option programs, academic standing is calculated at the end of each subscription period. Students can determine their academic standing using the criteria below.

Good Academic Standing

A student is in good academic standing when their cumulative Parkside GPA is 2.00 or higher, regardless of term/subscription period GPA.

Academic Probation

Students will be placed on academic probation when their cumulative Parkside GPA falls below 2.00.
A student who is on academic probation and earns a term/subscription period GPA of 2.00 or higher but whose cumulative Parkside GPA is lower than 2.00 will continue on academic probation.
A student who is on academic probation earns a term/subscription period GPA of lower than 2.00, and whose cumulative Parkside GPA is lower than 2.00 is placed on academic suspension.

Academic Suspension

A student will be placed on academic suspension if they were on academic probation, they earned a term/subscription period GPA of lower than 2.00, and their cumulative Parkside GPA is lower than 2.00. The student is suspended for one year.

Reinstatement

Each university has its own process to follow when requesting to return after having been academically dropped or suspended.

UW-Milwaukee

If you were academically dropped from UWM for one term or two years, you may return to the University after your period away has passed. If you have sat out the duration of your one-term suspension, please submit a Term Change Form. If your suspension is longer than 12 months, you must reapply for admission.

For example, if you were enrolled in the September 2022 subscription period and were:

dropped for one term – the next term in which you would be eligible to return would be the March 2023 subscription period (after sitting out the December 2022 SP which runs from December to February). Your academic hold would be removed the last week of January so that you could begin advising as early as February 1, 2023. You are required to submit a Term Change Form for the March 2023 subscription period (or the next term in which you wish to enroll after March 2023).
dropped for two years due to final probation – the next term in which you would be eligible to return would be the December 2024 subscription period (after sitting out two years: December 2022 to December 2024). Your hold would be removed the last week of October so that you could begin advising as early as November 1, 2024. You are required to reapply for admission since you have been out of the program for more than 12 months.

Beginning September 2022 — After sitting out your designated dropped period, your academic hold to return will be removed by UW-Milwaukee. The removal of the hold will allow you to begin advising one month before your intended return start term. NOTE – Students planning to return to UW-Milwaukee before September 2022 must file an Academic Appeal for Reinstatement (this includes students whose dropped period has lapsed).

UW-Milwaukee Appeals for Reinstatement

If you were academically dropped and feel that exceptional circumstances justify an appeal to return prior to the end of your drop/suspension period, you may file an Academic Appeal for Reinstatement. Please note that it is important to put careful thought into your appeal as early reinstatement before serving your suspension is not guaranteed.

Steps to Appeal

Step 1: Connect with your Success Coach to discuss the reinstatement process.

Step 2: Complete the UWM Academic Appeal for Reinstatement Form.

Step 3: Email your completed appeal form to the UW Flexible Option Office of the Registrar at registrar@uwex.wisconsin.edu. We strongly recommend that you submit your appeal form two months prior to the start of your next intended subscription period (especially if your goal is to re-enroll immediately after your drop period ends).

Step 4: The Appeal Body of your Academic Program will review and make a decision on your appeal.

What’s next?

You will receive an email within three weeks with the decision on your reinstatement appeal.

A. If you are approved for reinstatement:

You will be reinstated to UWM on Final Probation and will remain on Final Probation until you raise your cumulative GPA to 2.00 or above.
Submit a Term Change Form for your next intended subscription period. Note: if your next intended term of study is more than one from your last subscription period of enrollment, you will need to reapply for admissions (see Returning Student Admission).
Connect with your Success Coach to discuss your Academic Plan of Study (APS).
If you plan to use federal financial aid, contact our Financial Aid Office.
If you plan to use Military tuition assistance or Veterans benefits, please contact your home campus’s School Certifying Official.

B. If you are denied reinstatement:

If you have questions regarding the appeal decision, please direct them to the Appeal Body for your program.
Reach out to your Success Coach to discuss additional options for continuing your education.

UW-Parkside

If you were academically dropped (suspended for one year) from UW-Parkside, you may be required to file an Academic Appeal for Reinstatement to return. Please connect with your Success Coach to discuss your intent to return to the program. It is strongly recommended that you follow the steps to appeal at least two months prior to the start of your next intended subscription period. Students who are appealing for re-entry after suspension should discuss their plan of study with their Success Coach, who can also help review appeals.

UW-Parkside Appeals for Reinstatement

Students who feel that exceptional circumstances justify a waiver of suspension may appeal their suspension to the Academic Actions Committee by the date specified in the suspension notification letter. If the student does not appeal by the date specified, the earliest opportunity that the student would be eligible for readmission would be the subscription period following their suspension. However, the student may initiate the appeal process during the time in which they begin serving their suspension. Information regarding the appeal process is available on the UW-Parkside website. Readmission to the university following the serving of a suspension is not automatic. Students must both request readmission from the Academic Actions Committee and apply for readmission through the admissions process. Appeals from students in flexible options programs will be reviewed in consultation with the UW Flexible Options Academic Actions Committee.

Steps to Appeal

Step 1: You must submit a UW System Application, along with any new college transcripts from schools that you may have attended AFTER your suspension.

Step 2: After you apply, the Office of Admissions will contact UW-Parkside about your application. An initial review of your reentry status will be made by UW-Parkside. You may be required to also complete an Academic Appeal for Reinstatement (see Step 3 below).

Step 3: If an Appeal for Reinstatement Form is required, UW-Parkside will inform the UW Flexible Option Admissions Office, who will then inform the student and the Success Coach of their decision. Email your completed form to admissions@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

In addition to providing the required student information items (see Appeal for Reinstatement form), your packet of materials must include a Reflection Narrative that explains the circumstances surrounding the dismissal and an Action Plan that outlines your intended academic plan for the next 3-6 months.

The Reflection Narrative should address:
- Factors that prevented you from successfully completing your courses.
- Behaviors or circumstances that have changed, or will change, that will allow you greater academic success when you return.
- Responsibilities outside of school (work, family, etc.), the time commitment required for those responsibilities, and how you intend to create the balance necessary to be successful.
The Action Plan should Identify courses you intend to complete, along with any resources you will use to help achieve your goals.
- The Reflection Narrative, Action Plan, and any other supporting documentation (such as medical, letters of support, or legal documents) must be emailed as one PDF document to the UWEX Admissions Office at admissions@uwex.wisconsin.edu.
- It is important to put careful thought into your appeal, as reinstatement is not guaranteed.

What’s next?

You will receive an email within three weeks with a decision on your reinstatement appeal.

A. If your appeal for reinstatement is approved:

You will be reinstated on Probation and will remain on Probation until you raise your cumulative grade point average (GPA) to 2.00 or above. If you receive below a 2.00 subscription period GPA while on Probation, you will be dropped for two years. Therefore, it is important that you carefully consider the timing of your request.
Your Success Coach will work with you to establish your Academic Plan of Study (APS).
If you plan to use federal financial aid, contact our Financial Aid Office.
If you plan to use Military tuition assistance or Veterans benefits, please contact your home campus’s School Certifying Official.
If your plans change, remember to submit a Term Change Form. Note: if your next intended term is one year or more from your last subscription period, you will need to reapply for admissions.

B. If you are denied reinstatement:

Reach out to your Success Coach to discuss additional options for continuing your education.

Financial Aid

Academic Actions and your Financial Aid

You are still eligible to receive financial aid while you are on academic probation as long as you are meeting all financial aid eligibility requirements.

If you continue to bring your grade point average (GPA) up, you will continue to be eligible.

If you are not able to bring your GPA up, you will be academically dropped from the University. A withdrawal (R2T4) calculation will be calculated. Your financial aid was awarded under the assumption that you would be continuously enrolled and participating for the entire payment period (payment period = minimum of two subscription periods). If you did not participate for the entire payment period and/or did not earn the minimum credit hours for which your financial aid was awarded, you will owe money back to your home campus. In addition to owing financial aid, you may need to start repaying any student loans you may have borrowed at Flex or any other institution. This is because you will no longer be an enrolled student and your loans will be either placed in a grace period or in repayment.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind while on academic probation:

Borrow only what you need. If you are required to stop out, this will reduce the amount of financial aid you may owe back
Be in contact with your lenders. If you are required to stop out, make sure to contact your lender and see what options are available to you.
Work closely with your Success Coach to discuss strategies to be successful in your next subscription period.

Academic Probation and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

If you are starting or returning to a program with the UW Flexible Option and on Academic Probation, you may be starting on Financial Aid Warning or you may need to submit an appeal. More information on SAP Warning and Appeals.

If you have any questions about your academic status and your financial aid, please contact your Success Coach or the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

FAQ's

How will I know if I am on Academic Probation or if I have been Academically Dropped?

You will receive an email (sent to your campus email address) from the UW Flexible Option Registrar (registrar@uwex.wisconsin.edu) within 10 days after your last subscription period.

What should I do once I am notified that I am on academic probation or have been academically dropped?

We strongly encourage you to reach out to your Success Coach as soon as possible to discuss your current academic standing and, if applicable, the reinstatement process. Your Success Coach can provide you with information to guide your next steps, and help you develop strategies to be successful in your next subscription period.

I received an email that I am on Academic Probation at UWM, but I was recently admitted and have not enrolled with UW Flexible Option yet. What does this mean?

Beginning July 2019, the calculation of the university GPA for new students admitted to the UW Flexible Option program included all prior coursework at both UW-Milwaukee (UWM) and the UW Colleges. If you are returning to UWM and have not previously earned your degree, your cumulative GPA will continue from your last point of enrollment. If your cumulative GPA was below 2.00, you will be placed on academic probation during your first subscription period. That said, you should work closely with your Success Coach to determine a manageable course load. Consider the following before you enroll:

If your cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher at the end of your first subscription period, you will return to Good Standing (probation will be cleared).
If your subscription period GPA is 2.00 or higher at the end of the subscription period but your cumulative GPA is still below 2.00, you will remain on academic probation. Students on academic probation may continue to enroll in courses for the next subscription period, as long as their subscription period GPA is above 2.00.
If your cumulative GPA and your subscription period GPA are both below 2.00 at the end of the subscription period, you will be academically dropped.

I am using financial aid; does academic probation or suspension impact my eligibility?

When on academic probation you are still eligible for federal financial aid as long as you are meeting all financial aid eligibility requirements.

If you are academically dropped (suspended), a financial aid withdrawal calculation (Return of Title IV funds) must be completed to determine if you earned all the aid that was disbursed.

Once this calculation is completed, you may be required to pay back some of the aid you received. This aid would be owed back to UW-Milwaukee. Typically this aid must be paid back entirely before you can enroll in courses or receive a transcript.

Please contact the UW Flexible Option Financial Aid Office with questions/concerns.

I filed an Academic Appeal for Reinstatement to return, why do I also have to complete a SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Appeal?

An Academic Appeal for Reinstatement is an appeal to be reinstated to UW-Milwaukee before the end of your suspension period. The SAP appeal is an appeal to reinstate financial aid. Academic suspension from the University is monitored by the Registrar’s Office and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is monitored by the UW Flexible Option Financial Aid Office. Each office has different required performance standards.

I am using military tuition assistance or veterans benefits; does academic probation or suspension impact my eligibility?

Your eligibility could be impacted. Please contact the UWM School Certifying Official* with your questions or concerns: vets@uwm.edu

*If you are a UW-Parkside student, you should contact the UW-Parkside School Certifying Official at veterans@uwp.edu.

Can I re-enroll if I am on academic probation?

Yes, if you are on academic probation, you may re-enroll in your next intended subscription period. You should work closely with your Success Coach in confirming your intended enrollments following notice of academic probation as success in your next subscription period is critical:

If your cumulative GPA increases to 2.00 or above, you will return to Good Standing (probation will be cleared).
If your subscription period GPA is 2.00 or higher at the end of the subscription period but your cumulative GPA is still below 2.00, you will remain on academic probation.
If your cumulative GPA and your subscription period GPA are both below 2.00 at the end of the subscription period, you will be academically dropped.

Can I re-enroll if I was academically dropped? If so, when?

If you were academically dropped you may return to the UW-Milwaukee after your academic action period away has passed. If you were academically dropped and feel that exceptional circumstances justify an appeal to return prior to the end of your suspension period you may file an appeal for reinstatement. Each university has its own process to follow when requesting to return after having been academically dropped or suspended.

How will academic actions appear on my transcript?

Academic Actions (suspension, probation) are NOT documented on the official transcript.

Where can I find my final grades and verify my cumulative GPA at UWM?

How is my Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated?

Review the Mastery, Grades, and Grade Point Average for more information about how your cumulative GPA is calculated. You might also find the GPA calculator helpful.

What do I need to do to return to good academic standing?

You must improve your cumulative GPA to 2.00 or above to return to good academic standing. Connect with your Success Coach to discuss enrollment options and strategies for improving your cumulative GPA in your next subscription period.