Academic Probation | Academic Suspension | D & F Repeats | My GPA | Improving My GPA | Financial Aid
Probation & Suspension Policies
D & F Repeat Rule (Academic Forgiveness)
Financial Aid/Scholarships
In general, a student receiving financial aid must complete a certain percentage of classes in order to keep their financial aid. Also, a student must maintain a certain GPA. Guidelines vary according to overall hours completed. Scholarships typically require a student to maintain and meet certain criteria.
Speak with the Financial Aid Office located in Old Main to receive specific information concerning your situation.
My GPA
Marshall uses a 4.0 scale to express GPAs. A GPA is a numeric value calculated by dividing total quality points by total credit hours for courses in which the student earned a letter grade. Each letter grade has a specific value assigned to it.
Grade Quality Points per Semester Hour
| Letter Value | Meaning | Numeric Value |
|---|---|---|
|
A
|
superior |
4
|
|
B
|
above average |
3
|
|
C
|
average |
2
|
|
D
|
below average |
1
|
|
F
|
failure |
0
|
|
I*
|
incomplete |
0
|
|
CR**
|
credit |
0
|
|
NC**
|
no credit |
0
|
|
W**
|
withdrawal |
0
|
|
AU**
|
audit |
0
|
*A grade of “I” becomes “F” if the course is not completed within one (1) year after initially taking the course.
**This grade is not included in your GPA.
For example, a student takes four 3 credit hour classes and receives 2 B’s, 1 C and 1 F. The student’s GPA is as follows:
|
Letter Grade
|
Numeric Grade Value
|
X
|
Credit Hours
|
=
|
Quality Points
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
B
|
3
|
x
|
3.0
|
=
|
9.0
|
|
B
|
3
|
x
|
3.0
|
=
|
9.0
|
|
C
|
2
|
x
|
3.0
|
=
|
6.0
|
|
F
|
0
|
x
|
3.0
|
=
|
0.0
|
|
12 total credit hours
|
24 total quality points
|
||||
24.0 total quality points / (divided by) 12.0 total credit hours = (equal) 2.0 GPA.
Deficit Points
If a student’s GPA is below a 2.0 the student will have a deficiency of quality points (deficit). Based on number of credit hours attempted, deficit points are calculated to let a student know how far they are below a 2.0 GPA. With grades of “A” and “B” a student gains points. Grades of “D” or “F” a student loses points. With a “C” grade a student neither gains nor loses points.
Improving my Academic Standing
A student can improve their academic standing a number of ways. One of the quickest ways to improve a GPA is through D & F repeats. Another is earning “A”s and “B”s. How many deficit points and the student’s GPA determine how long it would take a student to improve their academic standing.
Self-Assessment
Do some serious self-assessment to understand why you are in academic difficulty. Some questions you might consider are the following:
- Did you go to all your classes?
- Did you do your homework and turn your assignments in on time?
- Do you have poor learning skills and study habits?
- Did you have a clear academic direction/goal?
- Did you focus on your classes or social activities?
- Did you take too heavy a course load considering your work and/or family obligations?
- Do you procrastinate or manage your time poorly?
- Did you take higher-level classes you weren’t prepared for?
- Was there something truly unique or unusual happening in your life?
- Did you get help if you didn’t understand the material being covered?
Be honest with yourself! You may want to discuss your answers when you meet with the Associate Dean or an academic advisor.