Academic Standing

Any first-semester student or continuing student who has a semester gpa below 2.0, will be placed on Academic probation.

• Once placed on probation, students will remain on probation for each enrollment period until they have earned a 2.0 cumulative average.

• Students are in good standing if they are eligible to continue or to enroll at the university, even while on scholastic probation.

A student who is on academic probation, and does not achieve a semester GPA of 2.0; will be placed on suspension warning.

First-semester students (freshman and transfer students) placed on Academic Probation, who do not achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher will be placed on Suspension Warning.

1. A student who is on suspension warning and does not achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 will be suspended.

   1. A student who is suspended for the 1st suspension will sit out for one term

   2. 2nd Suspension will sit out for one academic year

   3. 3rd Suspension is suspended from the university indefinitely.

2. Students cannot be suspended from the university on the basis of work taken during a summer term.

3. LSUA does not accept for credit toward a degree any credits that a student earns from another institution during the period in which he or she is in suspension status.

Readmission of Students on Suspension

The rules presented below indicate the circumstances in which students who have been suspended from the university can be considered for readmission:

1. A student who for the first time has been suspended from the university for academic reasons will not be permitted to enroll until the expiration of one full semester, unless the student is readmitted through the First Drop Program. Students enrolled in the First Drop Program will participate in training designed to increase their ability to successfully complete their studies. Such students may register for at least three but no more than twelve hours of course work for credit, under consultation with the Division of Student Engagement. If such students earn at least a “C” average (2.0) for their semester’s coursework, they will be allowed to continue in school. If, however, they earn less than a “C” average for their semester’s coursework, they will be suspended from the university for one calendar year. Students who wish to re-enter the university through the First Drop Program must request permission from the Division of Student Engagement. The student’s transcript will carry a notation that indicates that the student was suspended but conditionally readmitted on probation based on his or her enrollment in the First Drop Program. When students register early for an upcoming semester and are subsequently suspended for academic reasons, the classes for which they registered are automatically canceled.

2. Students who more than once have been suspended from the university for academic reasons cannot enroll for at least one calendar year. After one calendar year has passed, they may apply for readmission. Readmission, however, may be delayed or denied at the discretion of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

3. Students who have been suspended more than once may appeal for a waiver of the rule that prevents them from enrolling for at least one calendar year. Such appeals are rarely granted and only in the event of extenuating circumstances. For more information about filing an academic appeal, contact Admissions.

4. A student who has been suspended for academic reasons may during the suspension period and with the approval of the student’s department chair and the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs register to audit regular courses at LSUA or register for non-credit correspondence courses at LSUA.

5. Students readmitted to LSUA after being suspended for academic reasons will be on scholastic probation when they return and will remain on probation until their overall grade point average is at least 2.0. In order not to earn another suspension, such students must attain a 2.0 grade point average in each semester of their enrollment.

Readmission of Suspended Students for Summer Only

1. Students who are currently in suspension status at LSUA may apply to attend in the summer only through the Summer Only Drop Status (SODS) program. This program is not available to students who are in suspension status at other universities. To obtain SODS permission forms or information about other required reentry documentation, contact the Division of Student Engagement at (318) 767-2604.

2. Students cannot be placed on probation or be suspended from the university on the basis of work taken during a summer term.

3. Work taken during the summer term can result in students being removed from scholastic probation or suspension.

Whether it is an academic scholarship, a federal grant, or a student loan all sources of financial aid require the student to meet certain academic standards to continue to be eligible for award.

Federal & State Grants, Loans, Work Study

Academic Progress is reviewed for all grants, loans, and work study programs. Students must meet a GPA requirement, an earned hour requirement, and have not exceeded the maximum number of attempted hours allowed.

Academic progress for Financial Aid is typically checked once an academic year, at the conclusion of a Spring semester and is reviewed primarily on the hours attempted during both the Fall and Spring semesters of the student’s last academic year of attendance.

Listed below are the basic criteria students must meet to be eligible for all federal and state grants, loans, and work study programs.

FOR STUDENTS ADMITTED FALL 2020 AND BEYOND

• Cumulative GPA - 2.0

• Cumulatively earn at least 67% of the hours cumulatively attempted

• Have not cumulatively attempted more than 150% of the hours required to complete the student's current, primary degree program

If you fail to meet SAP either upon admissions, the end of the Spring semester, or failure to meet an approved SAP plan:

• You will be sent an email notification from the Financial Aid office.

• You will have the option to submit a financial aid appeal, set up a payment plan, or apply for a private student loan.

• Financial Aid appeal cover pages with instructions will be found in the documentation tab of your Netpartner.

• Monitor your email and Netpartner for appeal decisions, which can take up to two weeks to receive from the date submitted.

• Any Federal aid previously awarded before the failure to meet SAP notice is null and void unless an appeal is submitted and approved.

• The deadline to submit an appeal is two week before the last day of class for the semester you are appealing.

Scholarships & Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Every scholarship that LSUA students receive carry their own academic requirements to maintain eligibility.  Students who receive scholarships from sources other than LSUA or the Louisiana TOPS scholarship should contact the organization who awarded the scholarship for what the minimum academic standards are.
Students must be enrolled full time (12+ credit hours) as of the census date for the semester in order to receive Academic scholarships. Failure to do so results in permanent loss of scholarship eligibility.
Please note 100% online degree programs do not qualify you for any LSUA Scholarship.  If you change your degree program to a 100% online degree program, then you risk the loss of your LSUA Scholarship.

For LSUA Academic Scholarship 2 (for recipients beginning Spring 2016)

• Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA

• Earn 24 hours per academic year

Please note that a "W" grade does not count as an earned credit hour. If you receive a "W" grade in any course please consult with the Financial Aid Office to review ways to maintain eligibility if possible.

For LSUA Foundation Scholarships

Students receiving a LSUA Foundation Scholarship were provided with the retention requirements at the time they accepted the award. If a student no longer has this information they may email the LSUA Financial Aid Office at financialaid@lsua.edu.

For the Louisiana TOPS Scholarship

Students who meet the requirements to receive LA TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honor scholarship must meet the following basic academic requirements.

• Be enrolled as a full-time student. Full-time is typically defined as enrollment in 12 credit hours.

• Maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA

• Earn 24 credit hours between a Fall + Spring semesters

• A student may only receive TOPS for a maximum of 8 semesters

For additional information regarding the retention standards for TOPS visit the website for the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance