The purpose of the Standards for Academic Review is to monitor students attending National Louis University to ensure that they receive the support necessary to succeed and achieve their goals. The policy also addresses eligibility for continuation at and readmission to the University.
All students will have their academic progress reviewed at the end of each quarter. If a student’s review warrants a change in standing, as described below, it will be communicated to the student in writing.
The information given here is the general policy of the University. In addition to these rules, individual programs have their own specific requirements regarding repeating courses, grade point averages and acceptable grades. Please see individual programs for specific restrictions.
Eligibility for financial aid is governed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Withdrawal and In-Progress (Incomplete) Grades
Courses with withdrawal (W, WW, WS, WF, WN) grades and those with in-progress/incomplete (I, IE) grades are included in hours attempted but not in hours passed.
Failure to Meet Academic Standards
Academic Warning
The first term a student drops below the required cumulative GPA or completion ratio/pace of 67% s/he will be placed on Academic Warning. It is recommended that students meet with their academic advisors to improve their academic work. If the student meets the review criteria the next term, s/he will return to good academic standing.
Academic Suspension
The second consecutive term a student does not meet academic standards s/he will be placed on Academic Suspension. At this time the student is required to meet with his or her academic advisor and develop an academic plan within 14 days of the Academic Suspension notification email.
If the plan is accepted, the student will be placed on Academic Probation. If the student meets academic standards the following term, s/he will return to good academic standing.
Academic Probation
A student on Academic Probation must meet the terms of his or her academic plan to remain on Academic Probation. If s/he does not meet the terms of the plan, s/he will be subject to Academic Dismissal.
Academic Dismissal
If a student on Academic Suspension fails to submit an academic plan, s/he is subject to Academic Dismissal.
If a student on Academic Probation fails to meet the terms of the academic plan, s/he will be subject to Academic Dismissal. A student may petition to the Office of the Registrar.
Upon dismissal, eligibility for all federal, state and institutional aid for NLU courses is withdrawn.
Please note that students receiving financial aid are also required to meet the terms of Satisfactory Academic Progress, which is a separate policy governed by federal financial aid regulations.
Academic Review Criteria
There are two criteria for measuring academic progress at NLU.
Qualitative: Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students.
Quantitative: Students must receive passing grades of A, B, C, D, P or X in at least 67% of credits attempted. Credit hours attempted also include withdrawals (WW, WS, WF or WN), in progress evaluation (I, IE), no credit (N) and failing (F) grade.
These criteria are cumulative and include all periods of the student’s enrollment.
Appeal Procedures
Academic Dismissal Appeal Procedures
A student dismissed for reasons of academic ineligibility may be permitted to return to NLU after two terms of nonenrollment. The student must submit a written appeal documenting any exceptional circumstances to the University Registrar during the second term of nonenrollment, at least two weeks prior to the start of the third term. If the request is submitted after one year of nonenrollment, the request will be subject to the
Policy on Returning to NLU.
Financial Aid Appeal Procedures
Students who have been suspended from financial aid eligibility for not meeting minimum required academic progress, may need to follow a separate appeals process. See the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Instructions to determine eligibility to submit a financial aid appeal.
Other Appeals
Dismissals for reasons other than academic ineligibility, including those related to student conduct decisions, may be enforced for a longer period or prohibit a student from reinstatement. Please refer to the
Student Conduct Process for more details.