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Academic Forgiveness

Academic Forgiveness enables an undergraduate student to neutralize, in part, the grade impact of prior academic performance. Academic Forgiveness provides for the computation of an alternative GPA and for the use of that GPA in most academic situations. A student can apply for Academic Forgiveness only once, and to only Academic Forgiveness or Academic Fresh Start, and the process is irreversible.

Eligibility Conditions:
The student experienced one or more extenuating circumstances that caused a drastic change to the student's academic performance at Washburn University in one or two semesters.

  • After the session(s) affected by the extenuating circumstance, the student earned a Washburn GPA of 2.0 or higher at the end of the academic session and at least 12 credits.
  • Grades from up to two (2) consecutive semesters may be excluded from the regular cumulative GPA calculation.
  • The Center for Student Success and Retention may request documentation confirming the extenuating circumstances with the application for Academic Forgiveness. Final decisions regarding petitions occur in the Office for Academic Affairs.

Calculation and Reporting of Academic Forgiveness GPA and its uses in Academic Evaluation:
Academic Forgiveness deletes nothing from the student's academic record. Grades earned before the Academic Forgiveness remain on the transcript along with the cumulative GPA for all hours taken.

  • Per federal regulations, the student’s full academic history must be reviewed for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) guidelines. Washburn’s SAP policy can be found online at https://www.washburn.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/financial-aid/policies.html under Right to Know. Academic Forgiveness does not impact the Satisfactory Academic Progress determination.
  • The transcript will clearly indicate the term(s) of the Academic Forgiveness. The transcript will reflect an Academic Forgiveness GPA and a cumulative GPA. The Academic Forgiveness GPA will exclude course grades from the Academic Forgiveness term(s) while the cumulative GPA will include all course grades earned.
  • University-wide academic policies based on a cumulative GPA, including graduation GPA requirements, generally will use the Academic Forgiveness GPA.
  • Academic programs are not required to use Academic Forgiveness GPA. Some programs, such as those in the graduate school or those leading to licensure, may use all grades for the calculation of the GPA.
  • For students in the Academic Fresh Start or Academic Forgiveness program to be eligible for university academic honors and/or the Sibberson Award, they must complete a minimum of 60 hours in residence, with at least 50 hours in graded courses after the forgiveness begins. Other academic policies are not affected.

Procedure for Applying for Academic Forgiveness:

  • Students seeking Academic Forgiveness present their petition to Academic Advising in the Center for Student Success and Retention.
  • A student must apply no later than the academic semester prior to the one when the degree will be granted. Students wishing to apply are encouraged to do so as soon as possible after qualifying.