Academic Suspension and Dismissal

Academic Suspension

Academic Dismissal

Academic Suspension

Suspension: students are academically suspended from the University if they earn less than a 2.00 semester grade-point average (GPA) while on Academic Warning. Academic Suspension prevents enrollment at Penn State for a minimum of two semesters. 

Q1 - What is Academic Suspension?

Academic Suspension is an official notification that a student has earned a semester GPA of less than 2.00 while on Academic Warning. A student who has been academically suspended may not schedule courses at the University for a minimum of two consecutive semesters (note: summer session is equal to one semester and includes all courses offered after spring semester and before fall semester).  When necessary or appropriate, a student may stay away from Penn State longer. A student returning from Academic Suspension must apply for re-enrollment and will return to the University in warning status, with their former cumulative grade-point average (CGPA), and with a hold placed on the registration.  The student must receive written support obtained in the campus/college/major the student intends to pursue, in consultation with the prior academic unit from which they were suspended (review the faculty senate policy on academic progress).

If, after suspensions, the student fails to achieve at least a 2.00 semester GPA, the student is subject to Academic Dismissal.  The student may apply for Academic Renewal four years after Academic Dismissal.

Q2 - What are consequences of Academic Suspension?

• A student placed on Academic Suspension may not schedule courses at the University for two consecutive semesters (note: summer session is equal to one semester and includes all courses offered after spring semester and before fall semester).  Please reference Penn State's policy on Academic Warning and Suspension
• If the student accepted a Housing and Food Service (HFS) Contract to live on campus, the HFS Contract will either be canceled or inactivated, depending upon the semester and duration of the suspension. The HFS Contract may be canceled during the suspension, and then re-activated upon the student's return to the University. For further information please call 620-892-1215 or visit https://brandywinecampusliving.psu.edu/housing-contracts
• If the student has a lease for living arrangements off campus, they will most likely be responsible for fulfilling their contractual agreement with the landlord
• If a student has any type of student aid, they may have to begin making payments on loans after 6 months away from college.  For additional information, call 610-892-1262 or visit https://brandywine.psu.edu/tuition-financial-aid
• Veterans, dependents and/or reservists using GI Bill benefits will not be certified for the suspended semesters and therefore will not receive tuition/fee funding or housing/book stipends during this time.  For more information, call 610-892-1262 or visit https://brandywine.psu.edu/tuition-financial-aid/financial-aid/veterans-services
• If a student who has been placed on Academic Suspension successfully returns in a future semester but falls below the 2.00 semester GPA, they are subject to Academic Dismissal and will no longer be permitted to take courses at the University.  After a period of four calendar years, a student who has been academically dismissed from the University may seek re-enrollment to the University by requesting Academic Renewal (Faculty Senate Policy 54-90).  

Q3 - What can I do while on suspension, if I’d like to return to Penn State Brandywine?

A student on Academic Suspension should make the most of their time away from Penn State to engage in activities that focus on personal, academic and professional growth (such as enrolling in courses at a local college, volunteering in their community, planning for their financial future, or receiving career counseling).  Students should think carefully about their educational goals before returning to complete a Penn State degree.

Q4 - I was suspended by a different academic college at Penn State, and wish to return to the Brandywine Campus.  What should I do?

A student should follow the guidelines established by the College for which they wish to re-enroll. For example, if a student was suspended from Eberly College of Science at University Park, they should follow that college's guidelines and consult with the advising offices of both their prior college and Penn State Brandywine.

Q5 - How do I prepare to return to Penn State Brandywine after my suspension is over?

Students should contact the Brandywine Academic Advising Office (610-892-1390) and schedule an appointment to speak with an Academic Recovery Specialist to complete an Academic Reflection and Action Plan.

Students wishing to re-enroll in a Penn State Brandywine major or pre-major after leaving under Academic Suspension (or with less than a 2.00 CGPA) must also prepare a written statement requesting re-enrollment. This statement should include:

• Reflection on past goals, original major plan, and performance
• Reflection essay(s) or paperwork submitted to other Penn State colleges would also be appropriate
• Description of any circumstances that caused the academic difficulties that led to suspension, and how those circumstances have changed
• Description of accomplishments while away from Penn State
• Development of realistic goals for the prospective major and plans to achieve these goals
• Identification of campus services that will support the student upon their return
• Transcripts demonstrating successful course completion of 6cr-12cr with C’s or better at another institution

Optional documentation can also be included. Examples include: 

• Completion of online study skills or time management tutorials; bibliography of recent reading
• An essay that chronicles personal growth. How has the student changed as a person? What contributed to this growth?
• A list of activities demonstrating engagement in exploration, change or improvement. Examples include: certification of job shadowing, volunteering, work, rehabilitation or medical documentation as applicable

Students should complete the Reflection/Action Plan and Essay, and follow the Suspension/Re-enrollment schedule below to ensure timely review and processing:

If Suspension/Recovery action plans are approved, the student will submit a Re-enrollment Form to the Registrar’s office along with proof of the meeting with the Recovery Specialist in order for the re-enrollment form to be processed.  Students can either have the Recovery Specialist sign the re-enrollment form or show the Academic Reflection & Action Plan as proof of that meeting.

Students are required to meet with their assigned Academic Adviser throughout the returning semester to execute the Recovery Plan, to proceed with their degree.  They are also strongly encouraged to make full use of both on-campus and off-campus success resources for support while easing back into Penn State.

Academic Dismissal 

A student who has been placed on Academic Suspension and fails to achieve a semester GPA above 2.00 is subject to Academic Dismissal and will no longer be permitted to take courses at the University.

After a period of four calendar years, a student who has been academically dismissed from the University may seek re-enrollment to the University by requesting Academic Renewal (Faculty Senate Policy 54-90).