Grading System

The academic standing of a student in the various courses is indicated as follows:

A minimum of 120 semester hours towards degree completion with a Grade Point Average of 2.0, in both the major and overall GPA, is required for graduation. A Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory grade may be used only for courses approved by the Provost.

"I" - A mark of "I" is requested by the student and approved by the instructor and the Dean, when due to extenuating circumstances such as illness, a student is unable to complete the work assigned in a course. It is understood that to receive a mark of "I", all completed work (minimum of 75%) in the course must collectively be at the passing level or above. The mark of “I” must be removed within 30 days from the end of term. Failure to complete required work will result in a grade of “F”. An incomplete must be requested at least one week before the class end date. Students cannot withdraw from a class after an "I" has been issued. In determining the Grade Point Average the mark of “I” (Incomplete) will not be considered.

"IP" - A mark of "IP" is appropriate when a student's assigned academic experience extends past a grading period. For example, internships often bridge semesters. The "IP" must be removed at the end of the next grading period.

Credit hours will be awarded when the student first completes the course successfully. If a student repeats a course, the Grade Point Average will be calculated on the higher grade, and only one of the two or more attempts will be calculated in the Grade Point Average.

The grade of “WP” will have no effect on the student’s Grade Point Average. The grade of “WF” will have the same effect as the grade of “F.”.

The grade of “W” will not affect a student’s GPA. The grade will be awarded to students who withdraw from a course from the 2nd week of class through the Friday after midterms or for Online/Evening classes through the 4th week of class at 5:00 pm. After that, a grade of “WP” or “WF” will be awarded through the last day of class.

Final examinations must be scheduled in the final exam period at the end of each semester. If a student misses a final examination because of an unavoidable conflict, the instructor will arrange a time when the student may take the final exam. A student with three examinations in a single day is entitled to reschedule one of them. No extracurricular activities are scheduled during examination week with the exception of athletic events scheduled by the NCAA, the appropriate athletic conference, or events approved by the Provost. In the case of approved events that conflict with final examinations, students are responsible for making prior arrangements with the instructor.

A student must make reasonable progress toward a degree. The University reserves the right to restrict or withdraw social privileges and to request the temporary or permanent withdrawal of any student who, in the judgment of the University, is not taking reasonable advantage of the opportunity in higher education.

To make satisfactory progress toward a degree and to remain in good academic standing, a student must meet two criteria:

• Complete 67% of the credits attempted each semester.

• Achieve the minimum cumulative grade point average indicated below for the number of hours earned.

Students who fail to meet these requirements will be placed on Academic Probation and granted one semester to regain eligibility. Students will retain their eligibility for federal aid during this probationary period. A student will not be allowed to maintain Title IV eligibility beyond 185 attempted credit hours (150% of Limestone's graduation requirements).

After being placed on probation, a student must complete four regular academic courses (12 semester hours) within one semester and achieve the appropriate Grade Point Average as stated above. Probation is automatically removed when the student achieves Good Academic Standing. If the student fails to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress and Good Academic Standing, the student will be suspended from the University.

Students who fail to achieve the minimum academic standards of the University will lose eligibility for Federal Aid. The student who is suspended from the University and who loses Federal Aid will, however, be afforded the opportunity to appeal if there are mitigating circumstances. To appeal a suspension and loss of Federal Aid, the student must write to The Appeals Committee. The letter should be a very well written, typed, business letter directed to the Office of the Provost. If the student is not familiar with writing a business letter he/she is advised to seek assistance. In the body of the letter, the student should explain why his/her Grade Point Average has fallen below the minimums, what he/she will do to ensure that the Grade Point Average will improve to meet the minimum standards, and request to be reinstated to the academic program and to receive Federal Title IV aid.

The decisions of the Appeals Committee are guided by the standards set by the Board of Trustees of Limestone University and the Federal Government mandate which states that a student who is not meeting minimum academic standards is not eligible to receive Title IV aid. The Appeals Committee will make one of three decisions. The three decisions are:

1. Denial - The student's suspension is upheld. When this decision is rendered, the student may reapply to The Appeals Committee after sitting out for one semester. After one semester, should the Committee's decision be to readmit the student, the student may or may not receive Title IV aid.
2. Readmit without Title IV aid.
3. Readmit with Title IV aid. To be readmitted with Title IV aid, the reason the student failed to meet minimum academic standards must involve an extenuating circumstance such as a death in the family, personal illness, an auto accident resulting in personal injury to the student, or severe financial problems within the family which have caused undue stress on the student. If the student is permitted to return to the College with or without Title IV aid, the student remains on probation and has only one semester to meet minimum academic standards. Reasonable progress for part-time students is successful completion with a grade of “C” or better on 67% of all courses attempted each semester towards degree completion, with the cumulative grade point average indicated above.

If the student is permitted to return to the University with or without Title IV aid, the student remains on probation and has only one semester to meet minimum academic standards.