Academic Standing

Academic Standing

Dean’s List

Academic Probation, Suspension,  Warning and Dismissal

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Fresh Start

Academic Standing

A student’s academic standing depends upon the number of degree credits completed and the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Degree credits are the number of course credits completed in courses numbered 100 and above in which a passing grade was earned. The GPA is the overall numerical grade, which may range from 0.00 to 4.00. This is calculated for each semester (the semester GPA) and overall for all courses taken (the cumulative GPA).

The university calculates the GPA by multiplying the number of credits for each course by the numerical equivalent of the letter grade earned for that course (See “Grading System”) This calculation yields the number of quality points earned for that course. The semester GPA is obtained by dividing the total quality points earned in a semester by the total number of credits for which the student was registered that semester, not counting courses from which the student withdrew with a passing grade or courses taken Pass/Fail. The cumulative GPA is the total number of quality points earned at UMaine divided by the total number of credits taken at UMaine. These calculations are carried to two decimal places.

Class levels are determined by the number of credits earned at the end of the prior semester:

 1 to 23.9  credits - First Year

24 to 53.9 credits - Sophomore

54 to 83.9 credits - Junior

84 +         credits - Senior

Dean’s List

The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) maintains a Dean’s List each semester for those students completing a minimum of 12 credits in courses producing quality points. The Dean’s List will be formulated 34 days after the last day of final exams each fall and spring semester. Any final grades or grade changes submitted after that time will not affect a student’s Dean’s List status for that term. A student whose grade point average equals or exceeds 3.800 will be listed with High Academic Achievement. A student whose grade point average for the semester is less than 3.800 but equal to or greater than 3.500 will be listed with Academic Achievement. All previous incompletes must be completed in a satisfactory manner for a student to be considered for Dean’s List status at the end of any given semester. Academic Achievement awarded at commencement is based on all course work taken at UMF. (See Graduation with Honors section for further information.)

Academic Actions - Warning, Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

Academic Warning, Probation, and Suspension

All degree-seeking students begin their academic careers with an academic record in good standing. The academic record remains in good standing unless circumstances warrant otherwise. The minimum acceptable cumulative grade point average (GPA) needed for graduation is 2.000, and thus a University academic action will be taken when a student’s semester GPA falls below that level.  Due to accreditation, licensure, and career standards, some academic programs have more stringent academic standards than the general University standards. Likewise, to maintain financial aid eligibility, degree-seeking students receiving federal financial aid are required to maintain a specific GPA based on the number of credits that have been earned and to pass a specific percentage of credits based on the number of credits that have been attempted (as detailed in the “Satisfactory Academic Progress” section). 

Students will be notified of academic actions, including next steps and recommendations, by email within 2 weeks of the last day of final exams. Additionally,  students are encouraged to review their semester grades in MaineStreet beginning one week after the last day of final exams. The situations leading to a University academic action are outlined below: 

First semester or continuing students who do not currently have an academic flag on their record and:

1. who earn a semester GPA = 0.000 will be placed on academic probation.

2. who earn a semester GPA < 2.000 will receive an academic warning. 

Continuing students who previously received an academic warning:

1. who earn a semester GPA = 0.000 will be placed on academic suspension.

2. who earn a semester GPA < 2.000 will be placed on academic probation. 

3. who earn a semester GPA >= 2.000 will have the academic warning removed from their record if their cumulative GPA is >= 2.000, otherwise the academic warning will remain in place.

Students who are currently on probation and:

1. who earn a semester GPA < 2.000 will be placed on academic suspension.

2. who earn a semester GPA >= 2.000, but who have a cumulative GPA <  2.000  will remain on probation.

3. who earn a semester GPA >= 2.000 and who have a cumulative GPA >= 2.000  are restored to good standing, otherwise the student remains on probation. an academic warning will remain in place.

Readmission following Suspension 

Students who are notified of the suspension or academic dismissal from the University while attending a summer session or winter term course will be allowed to complete that course for a grade and credit.

Students who have been suspended may not enroll in any UMF courses until they have been readmitted. Normally a student who is suspended may not apply for readmission to UMF for a period of one semester. A student who is suspended for a second time may not apply for readmission for two years. A student who is suspended for the third time may not apply for readmission for five years. 

Academic Dismissal

Dismissal is the final action taken when students are not making satisfactory progress toward a degree or when students readmitted after suspension repeatedly show no improvement.

Students who are suspended for the fourth time are permanently dismissed from the university and may not apply for readmission.

Academic Forgiveness Policy

Students who are matriculated and currently enrolled, both those who have been continuously enrolled and those who have been separated from the university, may request academic forgiveness for one or more courses taken in a single semester at UMF provided that they have completed two consecutive semesters at UMF (not including Winter or May terms) with a semester GPA of 2.000 or above and at least 12 credits earned in each semester.

Academic forgiveness can be granted only once and for no more than 16 credit hours. Once academic forgiveness is granted, it is not reversible. Courses that have been forgiven cannot be used to meet either general education or major requirements. Forgiven courses also cannot fulfill a required prerequisite for another course nor can they have been applied to a previously awarded degree.

The academic detail of forgiven coursework, including grades and attempted credits, will be displayed on a student’s transcript, but removed from the cumulative GPA calculation. A notation of the course(s) forgiven will also be made on the transcript. Students requesting academic forgiveness should be aware that the GPA listed on the UMF transcript is UMF’s GPA and not necessarily what other institutions will use in making admissions decisions. For example, medical school admissions offices may calculate the GPA based on all courses taken regardless of the forgiven courses.

No tuition or fee refunds will be issued for forgiven courses. Academic Forgiveness may impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid due to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Students should discuss this possibility with a financial aid officer before requesting Academic Forgiveness.

Students requesting forgiveness should fill out a Request for Forgiveness Form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. Provided that the conditions outlined above have been met, the courses will be forgiven.

Fresh Start

Students requesting readmission to the University after an absence of five or more years may be treated as external transfers in the determination of credits and grade point average. Credit is allowed for all UMF courses passed at the level of C- or higher. All grades remain on the academic transcript but are removed from the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. To be eligible for Fresh Start, students must have a minimum of 32 credits remaining toward degree completion and must complete those 32 credits in residence at UMF. Fresh Start may impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid due to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.