Satisfactory progress means:

• You are maintaining a 2.0 or greater cumulative grade point average (GPA).
  
  

In addition, if you are enrolled in a degree or certificate program:

• You are successfully completing 75% of the courses you have enrolled in each quarter, and
• You are completing your program of study within 125% of the credits needed for your degree or certificate.

NSCC wishes to offer you every opportunity for academic success and provides numerous resources and services to assist you in meeting your educational goals. Please contact the Counseling or Advising Center or your program advisor/coordinator to develop an educational plan and identify strategies and resources tailored to your academic needs.

Students who are enrolled in special enrollment programs such as High School Completion, Running Start, certain vocational programs, international students, veterans, and students receiving financial aid may have different and/or additional academic standard requirements and appeal processes. Students in these programs should work with their program counselor or advisor to plan effectively and minimize these concerns.

To view the full policy, please see the Seattle Community College District Student Progress Policy.

• Why was the Student Progress Policy developed?
• What does the policy say?
• What happens if a student does not make satisfactory academic progress?
• Which students do the Student Progress Policy and Procedures affect?
• How will a student know if (s)he is in violation of a student progress standard?
• What procedure is followed if a student does not maintain a 2.0 grade point average?
• What grades affect the determination of whether a student has successfully completed a course?
• What does "successfully completing at least 75% of courses each quarter" mean?
• What procedure is followed if a student fails to complete at least 75% of their credits each quarter?
• What procedure is followed if students do not make sufficient progress toward a degree of certificate?
• Where can students find out how many credits are required for their degree or certificate program?
• How can students find out their current degree/certificate completion rate?
• How many credits would a student have to take to exceed the 125% degree/certificate completion rate?
• Do the Student Progress Policy and procedures apply to grades and credits that were transferred to North?
• Do the Student Progress Policy and procedures apply to students who receive multiple degrees or certificates from North?
• What services and resources are available for students to improve their academic performance?
• Who should students contact if they think they might not be making satisfactory academic progress or if they want assistance achieving their educational goals?

Minimum Grade Point Average

• Students who do not maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Credits Earned/Credits Attempted

• Students who have a pattern of not successfully completing at least 75% of their courses each quarter.

Degree/Certificate Completion

• Students who have taken more than 125% of the number of required credits for their associate's degree or certificate program but have not yet completed the program.

College personnel will work with students to develop an educational plan and identify strategies and resources tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

• First Warning - Academic Alert -- At North, students whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) drops below 2.0 for the first time will be placed on "Academic Alert -- First Warning." They will be sent a letter that encourages them to meet with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor, or specific program advisor/coordinator. The letter provides information on support services and explains consequences of continued low scholarship.
  
  
• Second Warning - Academic Probation -- Students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for the past two quarters attended and who do not achieve a 2.0 GPA for the current quarter are placed on "Second Warning". Student are sent a letter notifying them that a hold has been placed on their registration pending a meeting and the development of a student success plan with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator. The letter provides information on support services and explains consequences of continued low scholarship, including potential suspension.
  
  
• Third Warning - Academic Suspension -- Students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for the past three quarters attended and who do not achieve a 2.0 GPA for the current quarter are suspended for at least four consecutive quarters. Students are sent a letter notifying them of the terms of their suspension and the appeal process. A hold is placed on their registration. Students who have already registered will have their registration cancelled and their tuition and fees refunded. A student may appeal the suspension through the Academic Appeals Committee. A student may apply for readmission for the quarter following the suspension period.

• 1st Occurrence -- The first time the student fails to complete 75% of the credits attempted (Credits Earned/Credits Attempted [Standard II]), a notation is placed on the student record. No punitive action will result.
  
  
• First Warning -- Students who fail to meet Standard II for a second time within a 12-quarter period are placed on "First Warning." Students are sent a letter that provides information on support services and explains the consequences of not completing 75 percent of the credits attempted during a given quarter and encourages them to meet with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator.
  
  
• Second Warning -- Students who fail to meet Standard II for a third time within a 12-quarter period are placed on "Second Warning." Students are sent a letter notifying them that a hold has been placed on their registration pending a meeting and the development of a student success plan with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator. The letter provides information on support services and explains the consequences of not completing 75 percent of credits attempted during a given quarter, including potential suspension.
  
  
• Third Warning - Suspension -- Students who fail to meet Standard II for a fourth time within a 12-quarter period are suspended for one quarter. Students are sent a letter notifying them of the terms of their suspension and that a hold has been placed on their registration. Students who have already registered will have their registration cancelled and their tuition and fees refunded. A student may appeal the suspension through the Academic Appeals Committee. A student may apply for readmission following the one-quarter-suspension period.

• Initial Notification -- Students who complete 85 percent of the credits required for their degree or certificate program receive a letter regarding their progress towards the completion. The letter encourages students to meet with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator to develop an educational plan for completion and informs them of the district's degree/certificate completion policy.
  
  
• First Warning - Contract for Completion -- Students who complete 125 percent of the credits required for their degree or certificate without receiving their degree/certificate receive a letter notifying them that a hold has been placed on their registration pending a meeting and development of a plan for completion with a faculty advisor, academic advisor, counselor or specific program advisor/coordinator. The letter includes information on the district's policy on degree-certificate completion.
  
  
• Second Warning - Specific Action -- Students who complete 150 percent of the credits required to complete their program will be barred from taking any courses other than those required to complete their program.

In addition, students can complete a degree audit online or contact either the Advising Office or a program advisor/coordinator to learn how many credits they have earned toward their degree or certificate program and how many additional credits are needed for completion.

To do an degree audit online, visit Online Services and choose "Do your own Degree Audit" in the Records and Grades section.