FAQ

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What Is Academic Probation And How Do I Clear It?

Academic Probation is assigned to students* who did not satisfy their College's minimum academic requirements at the end of a Fall or Spring semester. The three types of Academic Probation are Term, Cumulative, and Departmental.

  • Students who did not meet their College’s minimum academic requirements at the end of a semester is assigned Term Probation.

  • Cumulative Probation is assigned to students whose cumulative UC GPA did not satisfy their College’s academic requirements by the end of the semester.

  • Departmental Probation is assigned by some Major departments when a student does not fulfill unique academic requirements.

For each type of Academic Probation, each College has a unique set of GPA requirements required in order to return to good academic standing. To learn more about these specific requirements, visit our Academic Probation webpage.

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What Happens If I Don’t Clear Academic Probation?

A student who does not successfully meet their terms of Academic Probation is placed on “Subject to Dismissal” status* and then reviewed by their College to determine if their enrollment will be continued.  

If extenuating circumstances were present, the student can submit a letter of self-advocacy to their College requesting to be “Continued on Academic Probation” for another semester. These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and our EOP Degree Completion Counselor can assist you in navigating this process. 

If a student’s College determines that the student may benefit from a break in their studies at UC Berkeley, their enrollment may temporarily be paused through the process of Dismissal. The College will determine the “terms of readmission” in order to return to the university. This can include (but is not limited to) completing classes at a community college and/or taking steps to stabilize any personal matters impacting their academic performance.

*For students in the College of Engineering, please note that there is no period of Academic Probation and students who do not meet the College’s minimum academic requirements will immediately be placed on “Subject to Dismissal” status and have their enrollment reviewed by their College. Students in Subject to Dismissal have the opportunity to self-advocate to a process similar to above. Students should consult with their College of Engineering Advisor and their EOP Degree Completion Counselor for support.

Learn More About Academic Probation

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I retake classes that received a "D" or "F" in a community college?

Although some courses that a student received a “D” or “F” in may be retaken at a community college to transfer to the university for credit, they will not count towards a student’s UC GPA. Students can use Assist.org to confirm if the community college course is transferable to UC Berkeley. We encourage students to meet with the EOP Degree Completion Counselor to explore your academic options and develop a plan that is best suited to their needs and timeline.

Can I take a reduced Course Load while on Academic Probation?

In order to ensure success while still considering health and wellness, students on Academic Probation may be eligible for a Reduced Course Load if they are a graduating senior, working full or part-time, parenting or caretaking, and/or have a disability. Reduced Course Loads are approved through the respective College and the Disabled Students Program (DSP).

Before a student requests a Reduced Course Load, they should first consult with a ...

Can I withdraw while on Academic Probation?

All students, regardless of their academic status, have the option to withdraw from the semester up until the last day of instruction. In the case that a student withdraws while on Academic Probation, their readmission may require additional conditions to satisfy before returning. There can be significant financial and/or academic impacts of withdrawing. For that reason we highly recommend that students meet with an EOP Counselor beforehand to fully assess their options and...

Will my repeated grades replace the D's and F's on my transcripts?

Both the first and second attempts of a course will appear on a student’s transcript, but only the second attempt will be taken into consideration when calculating the cumulative GPA. If a course is attempted for a third time, the average grade between the second and third attempt will be factored into the GPA. All grades will still remain on the student’s transcript. Before a student retakes a course, they should check that their amount of repeat units is below the 12 unit...

Does Academic Probation affect my financial aid?

Depending on the circumstances, some students on Academic Probation may also not be meeting the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. SAP is distinct from Academic Probation and is a federal policy that requires students to meet three academic conditions in order to maintain their financial aid eligibility. Students who are concerned that their academic status may impact their financial aid should consult...

What happens if my SAP appeal is not approved?

If a student’s SAP appeal is not approved, they will not be eligible to receive Financial Aid for that academic year. If the student chooses to remain enrolled for that semester, they are responsible for the charges incurred on their account. If your SAP appeal is denied, we highly recommend that you meet with an EOP Counselor as soon as possible to discuss your options and outline next steps.

We recommend that you meet with an...

Who can I talk to about my Academic Probation status?

At EOP, students can discuss their academic probation status holistically with any Academic Counselor. We highly encourage you to connect with our EOP Degree Completion Counselor to create a strategic plan that works for you. We also highly recommend that students connect with their College and/or Major advisors for support.

What resources are available to help me clear Academic Probation?

EOP, R2R, and our campus partners make up a network of academic, financial, and wellness resources available to students on their journey to overcoming academic difficulty. Visit our Resources webpage to look through a complete list of resources and our ...

What are my college’s policies on Academic Probation and Dismissal?

To learn more about your college’s policies regarding Academic Probation and Dismissal, visit our Academic Probation webpage. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our counselors to discuss your specific situation.

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Send Us Your Questions! 

To learn more about the R2R program, feel free to contact Jan Carmelo Bautista (jcbautista@berkeley.edu) or Crystalkay Fairrington (crystalkay@berkeley.edu).