Academic Forgiveness Policy
The Academic Forgiveness Policy aims to make it possible for undergraduate students who attended Centenary University, attained low GPAs, and left without completing their degree to return without suffering all the consequences associated with their previous academic performance. If approved, the courses the student chooses to have forgiven from one or two consecutive semesters will appear on the student’s transcript with a notation indicating the Academic Forgiveness was granted but will not be calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA.
At the time of readmission, undergraduate students may petition for academic forgiveness provided the following conditions have been met at the time of the request.
To be considered for Academic Forgiveness, an applicant should:
Complete a minimum of 30 college level credits at a community college or another accredited college or university with an earned cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
OR
Demonstrate maturity gained outside of higher education evidenced by personal growth through life experiences including service in the armed forces, significant service in the community or through employment or recovery from extenuating circumstances such as matters of health or family.
Upon return to Centenary University, a readmitted student will be placed on Academic Probation. Full time students must earn a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 by the end of their first semester back to be granted academic forgiveness. Part time students must earn a cumulative GPA of a 2.0 by the end of their second term back to be granted academic forgiveness. The Centenary cumulative GPA will be recalculated after their time on Academic Probation. At this time, the student's merit based scholarship will also be reconsidered and changes made based on a cumulative GPA, that includes any transfer GPA(s) that the student came in with.
Petitions will be reviewed by the Director(s) of Admissions, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Dean for Academic Success. All petitions must be supplied as a letter of request for Academic Forgiveness that is supported by sufficient documentation. Additional documentation may be requested from the student by the Admissions Office. In the case of extenuating circumstances, appropriate documentation (i.e., letters confirming medical treatment and/or confirmation of illness or death in the family) will be required. All documentation will be reviewed, and the decision will be final; that decision may not be appealed. Petitions may be accepted, deferred, or denied.
All other Centenary policies (e.g., Course Repeats) remain in effect and are not changed by the granting of Academic Forgiveness. Academic Forgiveness does not adjust the number of credits attempted for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid eligibility purposes. Per federal regulations, forgiven grades will be used in the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid. Also, please note that the criteria for academic forgiveness are more comprehensive than our typical readmission policy. Students may elect to reapply for admission to Centenary but NOT petition for forgiveness.
Courses with grades which have been academically forgiven will not be counted in the student’s degree completion. Transfer credits posted to the Centenary academic record are never factored into the official Centenary cumulative GPA and, therefore, are not impacted by the granting of Academic Forgiveness.
Students can apply for Academic Forgiveness only once and the action is irreversible.