Academic Renewal Policy

The University System of Georgia allows degree-seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty to make a fresh start and have one final opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree. Academic renewal signals the initiation of a new grade point average to be used for determining academic standing. Academic Renewal is available only to undergraduate students. Students who initially attended Georgia College and who have been readmitted or reinstated after a period of absence at least five (5) calendar years are eligible for academic renewal. Students who left Georgia College on academic exclusion must apply and be accepted for Academic Renewal prior to reentering Georgia College. Students who previously attended another University System of Georgia institution may also be eligible for academic renewal at Georgia College if they have had a period of absence of at least five (5) calendar years from their last date of enrollment at a University System institution and they meet the requirements for transfer admission to Georgia College.

Students who wish to participate in the Academic Renewal program must file an application for academic renewal directly to the Registrar's Office within three semesters after re-enrollment or one calendar year, whichever comes first. Applications may also be submitted at the time the student applies for readmission or admission. Georgia College applications for Academic Renewal will be reviewed by the Registrar and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management.

A student can be granted Academic Renewal status only one time in the University System. If a student with Academic Renewal is admitted or readmitted to a USG institution, the institution shall honor the Academic Renewal granted at another USG institution such that the coursework for which Academic Renewal has been granted at one institution shall also be granted Academic Renewal at any other USG institution subsequently attended.

1. All previously attempted course work and all prior academic standing decisions continue to be recorded on the student’s official transcript.
2. The Academic Renewal Grade Point Average begins when the student resumes taking course work following the five-year period of absence and Academic Renewal has been granted. A statement will be placed on the student’s transcript indicating the Academic Renewal status.
3. The Academic Renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and also will be used to determine eligibility for graduation.
4. To earn a degree, a student must meet Georgia College’s residency requirements. Renewed courses do not count towards the institutional residency requirement.
5. At least 50% of work toward a degree must be completed after the granting of Academic Renewal status for a student to be eligible for honors at graduation.
6. Academic credit for previously completed coursework (including transfer course work) will be retained only for courses in which an A, B, or C grade has been earned.
7. Retained grades are not calculated in a Renewal GPA. Such credit is considered in the same context as transfer credit, credit by examination, and courses with grades of “S”.
8. Applicability of retained credit to degree requirements will be determined by the degree requirements currently in effect at the time Academic Renewal status is conferred on the student. Specific institutional program regulations must also be met.

Transfer credit:

1. Coursework taken at other institutions during the period of absence is not eligible for renewal. Transfer credit for any coursework taken during that period of time shall be granted in accordance with the prevailing USG and institutional policies and procedures regarding the awarding of transfer credit.
2. Re-entry into University or any program is not automatic. All students, including those granted Academic Renewal, must meet BOR and institution admission requirements. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs, e.g., teacher education and nursing, which require a specific minimum grade point average based upon all coursework.
3. A decision to participate in the Academic Renewal program is irreversible.
4. The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.