Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

The Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal policies below apply to the student’s academic grade point average. Refer to the financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress in the Student Financial Assistance section of this catalog to determine eligibility for financial aid. 

Note: Please note that Senate Bill 1210 (83rd (R)Texas Legislature) added the requirement that students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress to continue to be eligible to receive the Texas exemptions listed in the College Costs section of this catalog.

Academic Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

Academic standards of progress are monitored by the College to identify students who are having academic difficulty. To increase the likelihood that a student will succeed at CTC, the advisors will limit a student’s enrollment and course selection. Students are responsible for knowing their academic status at all times.

Students who fail to maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) during their initial seven semester hours attempted will be notified of their Unsatisfactory Academic Progress status and provided a list of student support services available to them.

  1. Students who fail to (a) maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA after the first seven semester hours attempted or (b) fail to achieve a 2.0 GPA during any term after the first seven semester hours and have less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on Academic Probation during the next term in which they register. Students will be notified of their status and referred to Academic Advising for academic advisement and assistance. Once students raise their cumulative GPA to 2.0, their status will be changed to Academic Good Standing. Students who fail to achieve a 2.0 GPA during their semester of probation and whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 will be placed on Academic Suspension. The mandatory suspension period is one sixteen-week semester, two eight-week terms, or both summer semesters.
  2. Suspended students who return after the required suspension period or who have successfully appealed suspension through a college appeals process, will be readmitted on academic probationary status. Students will be required to regularly report to an academic advisor for assessment and advisement during the semester for which readmitted. Students readmitted after academic suspension who fail to achieve a term 2.0 GPA during their semester of probation will be placed on Academic Dismissal for two long semesters or one long semester (Spring) and the following summer sessions (both). Warning: Students who earn a 2.0 GPA during their re-entry semester but whose cumulative CTC GPA is still below 2.0 will not be able to graduate with a certificate or degree until they raise their overall CTC GPA to at least a 2.0.

    Students on Academic Dismissal may petition for readmission only after they have been out the required dismissal period. Students readmitted must consult with an academic advisor on a regular basis and participate in assessment and student support services. Students must also comply with registration restrictions established as a condition of readmission.

  3. Students readmitted after Academic Dismissal who fail to maintain a term GPA of 2.0 or receive an “F” will again be placed on Academic Dismissal for two long semesters or one long semester and both summer sessions. The same procedures for re-entry apply to repeated periods of Academic Dismissal.

Suspension/probation students who receive financial aid or VA educational benefits must comply with VA and student financial aid requirements for satisfactory progress before reinstatement of their financial aid or VA benefits. Students attending competency-based, open-entry programs under VA educational benefits are limited to one repeat of a course in the certificate program. If more than one course must be repeated, VA benefits will not be approved for those courses.

Academic Suspension Appeal

Students who want to appeal their academic suspension must complete the Academic Standing Petition and Appeal form in Etrieve and schedule an appointment with the Student Success and Persistence Office on the Central Campus. Additional information can be found on the Student Success Support Program webpage. 

NOTE: Grades of “P” and developmental study courses do not carry grade points and are not calculated in a student’s academic CTC grade point average. Students on academic probation or suspension due to a CTC grade point average (GPA) below 2.0 must take regular CTC college credit courses in which letter grades of A, B, and C are assigned in order to improve their CTC GPA. 

NOTE: Due to the National Disaster declared on March 13, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CTC did not compute the institutional academic standings for the spring 2020 semester. However, probation and suspension students who received financial aid and/or Veterans education benefits may still be required to comply with the student financial aid and Veterans Affairs requirements for satisfactory progress.

Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Progress

Readmissions or enrollment may be denied at any time a student fails to maintain satisfactory progress following an academic review by the Dean of Academic Instruction. If a student is determined to be ineligible for continued enrollment or re-enrollment at Central Texas College, the student will be notified in writing of the action taken. A student denied enrollment may appeal the decision of the Dean. The appeal must be submitted in writing within five (5) working days of notification. The appeal must be submitted to the office of the Vice Chancellor responsible for the location student is attending or the Executive Dean, Military Operations if student is attending a Continental site. The decision of the Vice Chancellor or Executive Dean, Military Operations will be final.

Dean’s Honor Roll

Students whose academic achievement is outstanding may qualify for the “Dean’s Honor Roll.” The Honor Roll includes the names of all students who have earned a grade point average of 3.5 in 12 or more semester hours of college-level credit (excludes developmental study courses and modular courses with a “P” grade) taken concurrently during the regular semester or eight semester hours of college-level credit taken during each summer semester. Students completing 12 or more semester hours of college-level credit during two consecutive eight-week terms that start and end within a fall or spring semester and achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher receive Honor Roll status.

Email notifications are sent to students who qualify for the Dean’s Honor Roll. Honor Roll designation is also posted on the student’s CTC transcript for the applicable semester. Please contact the CTC Dean of Student Services if you wish a letter be sent to you.