Academic Standards

Academic Standing Policy

Blackhawk Technical College’s Academic Standing Policy defines the requirements students must meet to maintain good academic standing if they have enrolled in an associate degree and/or technical degree program AND have registered in three or more college credits during the fall and/or spring semesters. Blackhawk requires students to earn and uphold a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to remain in good academic standing. This policy also establishes a formal process to identify, notify and provide assistance if students fall below academic standing requirements.

The following actions are determined only at the end of the fall or spring semester. The three factors used to determine a student’s academic standing are: the student’s standing at the beginning of the semester, the student’s semester GPA and the student’s cumulative GPA.

  1. When a student is in good academic standing at the beginning of the semester:

    1. A semester GPA of 1.999 or below and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better will result in continuation of good academic standing.

    2. A semester GPA of 1.999 or below and a cumulative GPA of 1.999 or below will result in a status of academic warning.

  2. When a student is on academic warning at the beginning of the semester:

    1. A semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better will result in a return to good academic standing.

    2. A semester GPA of 2.0 or better but less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA will result in continuation on academic warning.

    3. A semester GPA of 1.999 or below will result in academic probation.

  3. When a student is on academic probation at the beginning of the semester:

    1. A semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better will result in a return to good academic standing.

    2. A semester GPA of 2.0 or better but less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA will result in continuation on academic probation.

    3. A semester GPA of 1.999 or below will result in academic dismissal. Students with the standing of academic dismissal will not be allowed to register until they have taken at least a one-year break from the College.

  4. When a student who has been on academic dismissal for a year comes back at the beginning of the semester on final academic probation:

    1. A semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better will result in a return to good academic standing.

    2. A semester GPA of 2.0 or better but less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA will result in continuation on final academic probation.

    3. A semester GPA of 1.999 or below will result in academic dismissal for at least another year.

Academic Dismissal

If placed on academic dismissal, the student will be notified in writing from Registration and Records and provided information about the appeal process. If a student is academically dismissed from Blackhawk, that student may not re-enroll in credit classes for one academic year.

Blackhawk will place a registration hold on the student’s account, which prevents the student from registering for classes. If the student is registered for the upcoming term, those classes will be dropped.

Re-enrollment After Academic Dismissal

If a student is dismissed and wishes to re-enroll after one year, the student must apply for admission (or readmission) to a program. Prior to reacceptance, the student will be asked to complete an Academic Recovery Plan and write a re-enrollment support letter before meeting with the assigned academic advisor.

Upon reacceptance, the student will be placed on academic probation and may need to follow guidelines or meet expectations set up with the academic advisor.

Academic Recovery Plan and Re-Enrollment Letter

An Academic Recovery Plan is a short form that helps students identify factors that contributed to their lack of academic success and start to identify methods that may help them find greater success in their next attempt.

Following the completion of the Academic Recovery Plan, a student must write a letter addressed to the academic advisor that highlights:

  • What the student has identified as barriers to academic success that currently remain in their life.
  • The steps the student plans to take to remedy these recognized impediments.
  • Resources and services the student thinks would help them maintain the Academic Standards requirements.
  • What the student’s goals are for the upcoming semester (i.e., six credits, GPA of 2.75, etc.) and overall at Blackhawk.

This letter will be an important part of the student’s meeting with the academic advisor. Therefore, the student should spend adequate time and consideration in the development of this letter.

Please note: re-enrollment does not guarantee reinstatement of financial aid, if applicable.