Academic Forgiveness Policy
SUNY Jefferson
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Academic Forgiveness Policy

PURPOSE:

Jefferson Community College recognizes that some students may begin college and receive poor grades. Students stop attending and return many years later only to have grades from their academic history negatively impact their current academic status.  

DEFINITIONS:

  1. A matriculated student is one who has been accepted by the Jefferson
    Community College Admissions Office and is enrolled in a degree or certificate
  2. An imputed credit is one which can be counted for financial aid to enrolled students.

STATEMENT OF POLICY:

  1. Eligibility: Any matriculated student is eligible to apply for Academic Forgiveness
    1. having an absence from the College for at least six consecutive fall and spring semesters since their last enrollment not including winter or summer;
    2. possessing a cumulative grade point average (GPA) below 2.0; and
    3. who, upon return, completes 12 imputed credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  2. Students who have already received at least one degree or certificate from Jefferson Community College are not eligible to apply for Academic Forgiveness.
  3. Once approved for Academic Forgiveness, the student’s grades below a C earned prior to the student’s return are excluded from their cumulative GPA. All other grades will remain a part of the student’s cumulative GPA. The excluded course cannot be re-included later to complete academic requirements.
  4. Students will receive credit toward graduation requirements for all coursework completed prior to the semester in which the student’s absence period ends and earned with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
  5. Any course grades earned as part of a conferred microcredential are not eligible for Academic Forgiveness.
  6. All prior coursework and grades will remain on the transcript to reflect an accurate academic history. 
  7. A student’s entire academic history is considered for the purposes of Financial Aid Eligibility. Academic Forgiveness will not automatically make a student eligible for financial aid. 
  8. Only one Academic Forgiveness will be granted during a student’s academic career at Jefferson. Once Academic Forgiveness is established, it will not be reversed.
  9. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for overseeing this policy.


Adopted: Res. 140-24 (June 2024)
Replaces Academic Fresh Start Policy, Res. 134-16

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