What is Probation or Dismissal status?
Probation or Dismissal status is earned when grade point average and/or academic progress is substandard and you are no longer in good standing with Columbia College.
- Academic probation means you have attempted 12 or more units and earned a grade point average below "C" or 2.0.
- Progress probation means that you have enrolled in 12 or more units at Columbia, but have either withdrawn or received a "no credit" or "incomplete" in half or more of your units.
- Dismissal status happens if for the third consecutive semester, you fail to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
If you are on Academic and/or Progress Probation, you may also be on Financial Aid Probation or Disqualification. Please check your status with Financial Aid by calling 209-588-5105.
I got an email saying I'm on Academic Status... what does this mean and what can I do to keep coming to school?
If your email says you are on Probation (academic or progress):
You are not in good academic standing with the college from past performance; it also means something needs to change if you are to continue. You are required to complete an online course and then see a counselor prior to enrolling in future courses, where you will work together to make a semester plan, come up with a success plan, and remove the block on your registration portal. While on probation, you are limited to taking 12 or fewer units per semester until you are back in good standing with the college. Make an appointment with a counselor as soon as possible.
If you would like to register for the upcoming semester, you will need to complete the following steps:
- Complete a Student Success Workshop by clicking on the self-enroll link to enroll in the course. The Student Success Workshops will become available in your Canvas Dashboard. From there, please complete the Probation 101 Workshop. If you have already completed the Probation 101 Workshop, then please complete a different Student Success Workshop.
- Schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor. To make a counseling appointment, contact the Counseling Office at (209) 588-5109. If you are enrolled in one of our Special Programs, please contact (209) 588-5130.
- Your Registration Hold will be lifted during your counseling appointment ONLY after you have completed a Student Success Workshop.
- You may register for classes as decided upon between you and your academic counselor. You can only register for classes on or after your registration day and time.
If your email says you are on Academic Dismissal status:
Unfortunately, your academic performance has consistently been substandard for at least two semesters. A hold has been placed on your college record and you will be unable to register for the upcoming semester. Students on dismissal status are unable to enroll in courses for up to one year. If you have extenuating circumstances, you may file a Dismissal Appeal Form Fillable (*About fillable PDF documents- You must download and save your document before filling it out. If you don't, you will send back a blank document. Your completed document must be sent from your Columbia College email address. ) The Academic Dismissal Appeals committee will review all cases that meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Evidence of consistent improvement in a student’s record.
- A change in one major to a better fitting program of study.
- Circumstance in the personal life of the student which the counselor of the student believes may have been of sufficient gravity to adversely affect the performance of the student.
- The recommendation of the student’s physician that continuing in college would be sufficient therapeutic benefit to warrant the granting of an additional opportunity.
In order to qualify, all necessary documentation must be provided to your counselor for review by the Academic Dismissal Appeal Committee. To make a counseling appointment to review your circumstances, contact the Counseling Office (209) 588-5109. If you are enrolled in one of our Special Programs, please contact that office at (209) 588-5130 to schedule an appointment with a counselor. For information on the appeal process and exception criteria, you may also contact the VP of Student Services office at (209) 588-5132.
