Academic Forgiveness

Statement of Purpose

The Academic Forgiveness Policy is intended to support undergraduate students who have been readmitted after having academic difficulty during previous attendance at SUNY New Paltz. This policy applies to students who have been readmitted with Academic Probation status after being separated between two and six consecutive semesters. If eligibility criteria are met, the policy improves the student’s grade point average by removing the forgiven courses from their GPA calculation. Forgiven courses will remain on the student’s transcript with a special notation. Not all courses can qualify for forgiveness - please see eligibility criteria below.

Policy Provisions

Courses selected for forgiveness must adhere to the following provisions:

• Up to 16 credits from courses earning a grade of C- or below may be forgiven.
• Forgiven courses can be from one semester or up to two consecutive semesters.
• Forgiven courses cannot count toward degree requirements, though they will still appear on the student’s transcript.
• Academic forgiveness can be applied only to New Paltz courses.
• This policy can be applied only once and cannot be applied to a previously completed degree.
• Once applied, academic forgiveness cannot be reversed.
• The transcript will include a notation indicating that Academic Forgiveness was granted and the term it became effective.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for academic forgiveness, a student must:

• Be readmitted to New Paltz on academic probation. Qualifying students may be readmitted after being separated for at least two semesters by reason of academic dismissal or voluntary withdrawal from New Paltz, or by being unenrolled for at least three semesters. Students who are separated for seven or more semesters are not eligible under this policy.
• Meet with their academic advisor (Office of Academic Advising, EOP, ACE, AC²) and the department chair or program coordinator of their intended major to develop a plan outlining the path to graduation that takes into account courses selected for forgiveness.
• Meet with a Financial Aid Advisor (if applicable) to determine whether the proposed plan will present any barriers to receiving Federal or State aid.
• Complete at least 12 credits (full or part time) after returning, earning at least a C- in each course and at least a 2.00 average GPA since returning.

Appeal Process

The Academic Forgiveness Policy eligibility criteria are used to determine if a student is approved or denied course forgiveness. If a student is denied, they have the option to submit a statement with grounds for appeal to the Committee on Academic Standing & Appeals (academicstanding@newpaltz.edu).