A cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 is the minimum acceptable level for undergraduate coursework in the University and for graduation from the University.
The Academic Standards and Advising Committee or Associate Deans examine the records of students periodically and take academic actions to warn academically deficient or potentially deficient students, or may exclude, suspend, or dismiss those who are academically deficient.
More information about the policy and academic actions is included in the undergraduate academic catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the exclusion, suspension or dismissal appear on my official transcript?
- Yes. “Academic Exclusion”, “Academic Suspension”, or “Academic Dismissal” is printed on the transcript in the term in which an academic action occurs.
- The message is removed if the action is cancelled, or replaced if the student’s status changes.
I withdrew. Can I still be excluded, suspended, or dismissed?
Yes. Students who withdraw after mid-semester with a GPA less than 2.0 may have an academic action. If this occurs the withdrawal will be cancelled, and the student’s status will be changed to excluded, suspended, or dismissed. Their academic transcript is updated accordingly.
How will I be notified that I have an academic action?
On the date a student’s status is changed, the Registrar’s Office sends an email to the student’s UNH email address. A letter is also mailed to the student’s permanent mailing address. Similarly, if the action is cancelled or changed, the student will receive an email and letter.
What is an academic exclusion?
Students whose academic progress is uncertain, as evidenced by a mixture of generally low grades, incomplete courses, and administrative failures, may, upon determination by the Academic Standards and Advising Committee, be excluded from further attendance until such time as their academic standing can be clarified, usually by resolution of incomplete courses. In addition, exclusion may be necessary to resolve questions concerning major departmental requirements or University academic standards. Exclusion is a temporary action and will be changed to suspension or dismissal not later than mid-semester following the exclusion action unless the student resolves the situation. If exclusion is not promptly resolved, then the student’s registration, and University housing will be canceled.
What should an excluded student do?
Contact the college or school to inquire about the steps to resolve the exclusion prior to the start of the next regular semester (Fall/Spring). See 'Who should a student contact if they have questions about an academic action?' below.
If the student is not returning to UNH, they are not eligible to formally withdraw from the University while their status is excluded. However, they will still need to wrap up details related to their account and should contact Student Accounts, (603)862-2230, to settle the account. A checklist of Offices that should be contacted is included at the end of this FAQ.
Can I make changes to my Fall/Spring registrations while excluded?
No.
I am enrolled in classes at UNH for Summer. How does my academic action affect my Summer registrations?
If a student is registered in a Summer term course and their status changes to excluded, suspended, or dismissed, they will remain registered for the course unless they take steps to withdraw from the course through the add/drop process, or by successfully petitioning to drop the course. The following deadlines apply:
- For classes that began prior to the date of the exclusion, suspension, or dismissal:
- Students will have one week from the date of the academic action to withdraw from the class by contacting the UNH Registrar’s Office at registrars.office@unh.edu. Classes dropped during this one-week period will receive a full refund.
- If more than one week has passed since receiving the exclusion, suspension, or dismissal notification email, students will be held financially and academically responsible for the class and must continue to attend the class (unless the class is successfully dropped by petitioning for a variance to academic policy).
- For classes that begin after the date of the exclusion, suspension, or dismissal:
- Students may withdraw from classes through the add/drop process by contacting the Registrar’s Office at registrars.office@unh.edu
- The regular add/drop rules will apply.
- If an excluded, suspended, or dismissed student does not withdraw from Summer classes by the applicable deadlines, the student is financially and academically responsible for the classes unless they are successfully dropped by petitioning for a variance to academic policy.
Checklist for students leaving UNH
- TMS (800)722-4867, cancel monthly tuition payment plan, if applicable.
- Financial Aid (603)862-3600, paperwork and exit counseling.
- Housing Office (603)862-2120, check out of room, turn in room key, complete forms.
- Dining/ID Office (603)862-1821, request Meal Plan/Cat’s Cache/Dining Dollars refunds.
- Library (603)862-1535, return books, close out rented library lockers.
- Student Accounts (603)862-2230
I am enrolled in classes at UNH for January Term. How does my academic action affect my January Term registrations?
During January Term, excluded, suspended, or dismissed students registered for classes are academically and financially responsible for the class and must continue to attend unless the class is successfully dropped by petitioning for a variance to academic policy.
What is an academic suspension?
Students whose averages fall below the minimum required grade-point average for their class and/or who have demonstrated insufficient progress toward their degrees may be suspended. A student suspended from the University for academic reasons will not be readmitted as a degree candidate until one regular UNH semester (Fall or Spring) has elapsed from the time of suspension. Therefore, the student will not be eligible to take courses in the regular session or in the Division of Continuing Education. In addition, a student suspended in June may not enroll in any course in the Summer Session immediately following his or her suspension. A student who has been suspended for academic reasons and who is later readmitted as a degree candidate will not be granted transfer credit for academic work taken at other institutions during the period covered by the next full semester following his or her suspension.
What should an academically suspended student do regarding the Fall/Spring classes they are registered for?
During a regular UNH semester (Fall/Spring), no action is required on the student’s part to drop the classes. After an initial appeal period has passed, typically two weeks, the Registrar’s Office will drop suspended students from classes and Student Accounts will reverse tuition and tuition related fees.
To pay any outstanding balances or request a refund if available, the student should contact Student Accounts (603)862-2230. A checklist of Offices that should be contacted when a student leaves the University is included at the end of this FAQ.
Under what circumstances will a student be academically dismissed?
A student who has been suspended once and whose average remains substantially below the minimum grade-point average for his or her class and who continues to demonstrate insufficient progress toward his or her degree must be dismissed.
An excluded student who fails to resolve their exclusion and meets the above criteria may be dismissed.
Only under extraordinary circumstances will a student be readmitted after having been dismissed. However, students who are dismissed may take courses as non-matriculated (special) students through the Division of Continuing Education after one regular UNH semester has elapsed.
How does a student receive a refund for a Summer class that they dropped or were dropped from?
Any eligible refund for dropped classes must be initiated by the student through WebCat's online process or by contacting Student Accounts at (603)862-2230.
If tuition was scheduled to be paid with a student loan, the student may not be eligible for this current Financial Aid package for Summer Session. If that is the case, the student will be responsible for any current tuition expenses incurred. Students with financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office immediately, (603)862-3600, regarding their Summer aid eligibility.
How do students resume their studies at UNH after an academic action?
Suspension from the University shall ordinarily be for not less than one semester. A student who is suspended from the University may apply to resume their studies by submitting an application for readmission.
Only under extraordinary circumstances will a student be readmitted after having been dismissed. The student should consult with the contacts listed for the college/school prior to submitting an application for readmission to the Office of Admissions.
Who should a student contact if they have questions about an academic action?
The student should contact the person or office named below for each college/school:
- Liberal Arts, Jenni Cook, liberal.arts@unh.edu, (603)862-2062
- Life Sciences and Agriculture, Kimberly Babbit, unh.colsa@unh.edu
- Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, PAUL Undergraduate Programs, PaulCollege.Advising@unh.edu
- Engineering and Physical Sciences, Sharon McCrone, unh.ceps@unh.edu
- Health and Human Services, Erin.Sharp@unh.edu
- Thompson School of Applied Science, Kimberly Babbit, unh.colsa@unh.edu
- University of New Hampshire Manchester, UNHM Advising Office, unhm.advising@unh.edu
