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Academic Dismissal - Undergraduate Student

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Effective Date: Fall 2026
Last Reviewed: Spring 2026
Last Revised: Fall 2016
Next Review: Fall 2035

Policy Statement

Undergraduate students whose academic performance indicates a limited chance of obtaining the minimum grades required for good academic standing will be subject to dismissal from the university.

The provost will dismiss a student if any of the following conditions apply to that student:

  1. Any student who earns between a 0.000 and 0.500 grade point average (GPA) in the student's first semester at Kent State.
  2. Any continuing student who is:
    1. Placed on academic probation (0.000 to 1.999 overall GPA) for the most recent fall or spring of attendance at the undergraduate level; and
    2. Earns between 0.000 and 1.999 semester GPA in the semester under review; and
    3. Earns one of the following:
      1. Between 0.000 and 1.099 overall GPA for students with 0.000 to 29.999 GPA credit hours or
      2. Between 0.000 and 1.499 overall GPA for students with 30.000 to 59.999 GPA credit hours or
      3. Between 0.000 and 1.749 overall GPA for students with 60.000 to 89.999 GPA credit hours or
      4. Between 0.000 and 1.999 overall GPA for students with 90.000 or more GPA credit hours.
  3. Any full-time student on academic probation who receives 9 or more credit hours of any combination of the following grades or marks in the semester under review: F (Fail), NF (Never Attended–Fail), SF (Stopped Attending–Fail), U (Unsatisfactory). This policy applies without regard to whether the designated grades were included or excluded from the student’s overall GPA.
  4. Any less-than-full-time student on academic probation who receives 6 or more credit hours of any combination of the following grades or marks in the semester under review: F (Fail), NF (Never Attended–Fail), SF (Stopped Attending–Fail), U (Unsatisfactory). This policy applies without regard to whether the designated grades were included or excluded from the student’s overall GPA.

The notation of academic dismissal will be printed on the student’s official transcript.

A dismissed student no longer has the same privileges given to an enrolled student:

  • The student may not register for or attend any credit-bearing courses at any campus or location of Kent State University.
  • The student is not permitted to reside in the university’s residence halls.

For further information concerning the conditions of dismissal, students should contact their college or campus advising office. For information about possibilities for returning to the university, students should consult the Dismissal Appeals and Reinstatement policies.

Reason for Policy

To uphold academic standards and ensure undergraduate students are adequately prepared for future success, the academic dismissal policy provides a structured response to significant underperformance and encouraging accountability.

Procedures

Students will be notified via their kent.edu email address of their dismissal after final grades are posted on their academic transcript at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Included in the email are the appropriate steps and deadlines for appealing a dismissal decision.

Forms/Instructions

There are no forms associated with this policy.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How will I know if I am dismissed?
    You will receive official notification via your Kent State email address at the end of the term once grades are posted to your transcript. There will also be a notation on your transcript that states that you were academically dismissed.
  2. I’ve been dismissed from the University, what do I need to do?
    You should thoroughly read the email explaining dismissal and the next steps along with deadlines in case you choose to appeal your dismissal. You should consult with your academic advisor if you have questions or are trying to determine your next steps.
  3. What happens to my courses for next semester if I get dismissed?
    As soon as dismissal has been determined, the Registrar’s Office will drop you from all future courses. You do not have to withdraw from them.

Additional FAQ: Academic Dismissal - Undergraduate Student

Definitions

Academic Standing: Academic status at institutions of higher education. Students with a minimum 2.00 overall GPA are in good academic standing.

Credit Hours: Units based on contact hours in a learning environment that are acquired for completed coursework applied toward a degree or certificate.

Dismissal: Students who fail to make adequate progress toward completion of a program of study or whose academic performance indicates little chance of obtaining the minimum grades required for graduation is no longer allowed to enroll at the university.

GPA (Grade Point Average): Grade point average is determined by the number of credit hours attempted at Kent State University and the grades received. The GPA is calculated to three places past the decimal point and not rounded.

GPA Credit Hours: Credit hours earned with a Kent State grade that counts toward the student’s GPA (e.g., 3 credit hours earned with a B grade at Kent State).

Part-Time Student: A part-time undergraduate student is registered for fewer than 12 credit hours in the semester. A part-time graduate student is registered for fewer than 8 credit hours in the semester.

Probation (Academic): A warning to undergraduate students who fail to maintain a minimum 2.000 semester GPA and/or minimum 2.00 overall GPA. Failure to improve the academic record within a specific time may result in academic dismissal.

Semester: University term (about 16 weeks long) that is one-half of the academic year (e.g., fall semester, spring semester).

Related Information

Revision History

Amended Fall 2026: Revised policy removes first-semester dismissal for full-time students with 9+ credit hours of failing grades and part-time students with 6+ credit hours of failing grades. Revision clarifies both that the provost will dismiss following the listed criteria (rather than "may" dismissal) and that that dismissal does not occur at the end of the summer term.

Amended Fall 2016: Revised policy increases GPA for dismissal of students with 90+ GPA hours, from below 1.900 overall GPA to below 2.000 overall GPA. Revisions clarify that the dismissal ranges apply to students on academic probation who have not earned a 2.000+ semester GPA. Also clarified that the 9+ or 6+ credit hours of failing grades combined applies to students in their first semester or on academic probation. Removed are statements for non-dismissal: good academic standing in last term or an unadjusted 2.000+ term GPA.

Amended Fall 2015: Revised policy reinstates first-semester dismissal for students with a 0.500 or less GPA and lowers the GPA for the ranges (0-29 GPA hours with below 1.100 overall GPA; 30-59 GPA hours with below 1.500 overall GPA; 60-89 GPA hours with below 1.7500 overall GPA; and 90+ hours with below 1.900 overall GPA). Dismissal criteria is added for part-time students on probation who receive 6+ credit hours of any combination of F, NF, SF or U grades. Eliminated is dismissal criteria of failing to make adequate progress toward completion of program of study (including but not limited to excessive withdrawals; failure to meet conditions of admission, major requirements or degree requirements).

Amended Fall 2014: Revised policy adds non-dismissal criteria for students on probation who earn an unadjusted 2.000 term GPA.

Amended Fall 2012: Revised policy adds dismissal criteria for students on probation who receive 9+ credit hours of any combination of F, NF, SF or U grades.

Amended Fall 2010: Revised policy eliminates first-semester dismissal and sets GPA ranges for dismissal of students on probation 16-29 GPA hours with below 1.500 overall GPA; 30-59 GPA hours with below 1.700 overall GPA; 60-89 GPA hours with below 1.800 overall GPA; and 90+ hours with below 1.900 overall GPA). Policy adds specific criteria for not dismissing students on probation, including having less than 15 GPA hours at Kent State, good academic standing in last term or an unadjusted 2.000+ term GPA.

Amended Fall 1988: Revised policy adds dismissal criteria of failure to make adequate progress toward completion of program of study (including but not limited to excessive withdrawals; failure to meet conditions of admission, major requirements or degree requirements). Criteria for for conditionally admitted students is removed.

Amended Fall 1982: Revised policy adds dismissal criteria for conditionally admitted students who fail to meet conditions for admission.

Amended Fall 1981: Revised policy lowers the threshold for first-semester dismissal, from 1.000 GPA to 0.500 GPA; and adds dismissal criteria for freshmen with below a 2.000 overall GPA at the end of their second semester and for sophomores and above with below a 2.000 overall GPA who are not making progress. Time away increases, from two semesters to 12 consecutive months. Academic dismissal is noted on the student's academic transcript.

Amended Fall 1967: Revised policy stipulates that an academic dean may dismiss freshmen with below a 1.000 GPA in their first semester or students on probation who are not improving sufficiently or failing to make appropriate course selections. Academic dismissal is usually for two semesters.