Academic Recovery

The goal of the Academic Recovery Program is to help students develop a plan to improve their academic performance, return to good academic standing and continue to make progress toward a degree at KU.  To be in good academic standing and graduate from Kutztown University (KU), all students must earn a minimum cumulative or overall GPA of a 2.0. Students who earn a cumulative GPA below a 2.0 become a part of our Academic Recovery Program.

The Department of Academic Enrichment staff recognize that there are many factors that affect students' academic progress, including part-time employment, social and financial pressures, emotional issues and uncertainty about choice of major or career. While working with students to improve their academic performance, staff will help students find support, and if necessary, refer to additional campus resources.

Academic Status

  • Academic Warning

    Students earning a cumulative GPA lower than a 2.0 at the completion of their first or any subsequent semester. Part-time students will be evaluated every twelve (12) credits beginning with the completion of twenty-four (24) credits and will receive an Academic Warning whenever this evaluation shows their cumulative GPA to have fallen below 2.0. A student is allowed only one semester of Academic Warning.  Please refer to the University Policy - Academic Warning/Probation Requirements for a complete description and specific requirements for students on Academic Warning.

  • Academic Probation

    Students earning a cumulative GPA lower than a 2.0 after receiving an Academic Warning in any semester will be placed on Academic Probation. A part-time student who has received an Academic Warning must bring his/her cumulative GPA up to 2.0 or higher within twelve (12) semester credits attempted, or will be placed on Academic Probation. Please refer to the University Policy - Academic Warning/Probation Requirements for a complete description and specific requirements for students on Academic Probation.

  • Disqualified

    A student is disqualified from the university if, at the end of a probationary semester, a 2.0 cumulative GPA has not been earned. A part-time student who is on academic probation must bring his or her cumulative GPA up to 2.0 or higher within 12 credits attempted or will be dismissed. Under policy of the university, disqualification is effective immediately before the beginning of the next regular semester. If a student under Academic Probation earns the GPA required for good standing, but then again falls below the 2.0 GPA, the student will automatically be disqualified.

RECOVERY RESOURCES

  • Undergraduate Exceptions Committee Petition (UEC)

    The Undergraduate Exceptions Committee (UEC) reviews petitions of individual students wishing to have a specific regulation waived for just cause. Please click here to complete the UEC petition form.

    For questions regarding the Undergraduate Exceptions Committee process and meeting dates, please contact the Student Advocate in the Office of the Registrar:

    Ben Trout
    610-683-4477
    trout@kutztown.edu 

  • Permit to Study at Another College

    If you plan to take courses at another college or university, only the credits will transfer, not the grades.  At KU courses taken at another college or university will not count towards your GPA.
    Please check the Transfer Course Evaluation to confirm transferability and applicability of courses.
    Additionally,  you will need to complete a "Permit to Study at Another College" form.

  • Course Repeat Appeal Form

    All undergraduate students will be limited to a maximum total of six repeats at Kutztown University. A single course can be repeated a maximum of three times and the most recent grade (regardless of whether it is higher or lower) will be the grade used for the GPA calculation.
    Exceptions may be made to repeat a course whether a student has exceeded the rule for individual courses (3 repeats) or overall (6 total repeats) by completing the "Repeat Approval Form," filing it with the registrar, and obtaining Dean of the College approval.

  • Financial Aid

    PROGRESS REQUIREMENTS

    Each student will be reviewed for satisfactory financial aid progress after every period of enrollment (fall/winter, spring, summer) regardless of receiving financial aid.  For additional information contact 610-683-4077 or financialaid@kutztown.edu.

    To be in good standing for federal aid, both undergraduate and graduate students must meet the following standards:

    1. Successfully complete 2/3 of the total cumulative credits attempted.  Credits attempted are:
      a. all credits for which the student is enrolled at the end of the drop/add period at KU;
      b. the greater of either consortium credits attempted at another school OR the number of credits transferred into KU after admission; and
      c. credits attempted in certain study abroad programs.
    2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of each period of enrollment (fall/winter, spring, summer).

    INSUFFICIENT PROGRESS FOR FINANCIAL AID

    Financial Aid Warning

    A student who does not meet satisfactory financial aid progress requirements will be placed on financial aid warning.  A student on financial aid warning may receive federal financial aid for that term only despite not meeting the progress requirement.  If the student has not regained satisfactory progress by the end of the warning term, the student will be ineligible for future aid until financial aid progress requirements are met or the student is granted a semester of an appeal.

    Financial Aid Suspension

    A student who still does not meet the financial aid progress requirements upon completion of their financial aid warning term will have all future federal aid suspended until the financial aid progress requirements are met. A student may appeal to have federal aid reinstated for one term by filing a written appeal with the Financial Aid Office (see appeals below).

    NOTE:  Taking classes at another institution will increase a student's completion average but will not necessarily be enough to regain financial aid eligibility. Consult with the Financial Aid Office on the best way to regain eligibility.

    APPEALS TO FINANCIAL AID PROGRESS POLICY

    A student who has been denied federal financial aid for failure to maintain satisfactory financial aid progress may appeal the decision in writing to the Financial Aid Office Appeals Committee, Kutztown University, P.O. Box 730, Kutztown, PA 19530.  

    The deadline to file an appeal is the first day of the term for which an appeal is requested.  Appeals will not be accepted for a semester that has ended.  

    NOTE:  The above appeal process does not apply to the Pennsylvania (PHEAA) State Grant Program.

  • Tips to Improve Your GPA

    There are many factors that affect students' academic progress, including part-time employment, social and financial pressures, emotional issues and uncertainty about choice of major or career.
    If you are currently on academic warning or probation or simply not getting the grades you would like, there are things that you can do to boost your GPA.

    • Repeat Courses in which you received a grade of an “F”. It may be advantageous for you to repeat courses in which you received a grade of a "D".  Please be advised that all course repeats need to be completed at KU and the new course grade, whether higher or lower will be calculated into your GPA. Repeating a "D" will not add new credits toward the twenty-four (24) new credits required each year to meet the Financial Aid Progress Requirements.
    • Schedule at least 2-3 hours of study time for each hour of class a week.
    • Use a planner to organize time, assignments, projects and examinations. The Student Success Center is a great resource to help with time management.
    • Prioritize your time to balance your academic, social, and personal responsibilities.
    • Connect with your professor. Faculty hold office hours each week to provide students with assistance with coursework
    • Connect with your classmates. Discussing class topics with classmates can help you know if you understand the material.
    • Request a Tutor: Tutoring Services at KU provides peer tutoring and drop-in labs for most 100 and 200 level courses. It is recommended to request a tutor early in the semester.
    • Personal, interpersonal and family problems can be overwhelming and affect your ability to perform at your best. Talking with a professional counselor in the University Counseling Services may help you to better manage your personal concerns so you can focus your attention on your academic coursework.
    • Exploring your career options by visiting the Career Development Center (CDC). The CDC can help to find the major that is right for you.