MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM COURSE LOAD
   During Terms I and II (Fall and Spring) the minimum course load per semester for full-time students is 12 semester hours, and 6 semester hours for each of the summer terms. Anything less than these minimums is considered part-time. The average academic load during Terms I or II is 15 semester hours.
   Maximum course load during Terms I and II is 20 semester hours per term, and 9 semester hours for each of the summer terms. Students maintaining a cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher, and who completed at least 15 semester credits may exceed the credit maximums with the approval of the Dean of Student Services. Those wishing to appeal this regulation are required to do so prior to central registration day. Students planning on working while attending school are encouraged to adjust their schedules accordingly.   

GRADES
   Grades are recorded on your permanent record in the Student Records Office and are issued in the form of a transcript upon your request and payment of an appropriate fee. Grade reports are mailed to you following final exams. Grades and grade point values are listed:

 Final grades are based on any or all of the following: class assignments, special reports, research papers, class participation, laboratory, field work, and final examination. Specific grading polices and course requirements are provided by the instructor at the beginning of each course.

INCOMPLETE GRADES
  At the end of the term, students not meeting prescribed objectives are assessed individually by the course instructor. If, in the opinion of the instructor, the student cannot complete the prescribed work during the first 15 school days of the following term, the student is given an "F" and must, if eligible, re-enroll.
   If, in the opinion of the instructor, the student can complete the prescribed work during the first 15 school days of the following term, the student is given an "I." When the prescribed objectives are met, the instructor completes a grade-change form. If the student fails to meet the objectives within the first 15 school days of the following term, the "I" converts to an "F." In extenuating circumstances, instructors grant an extension of time for the removal of the "I" grade and notify Student Records. An "I" grade is computed as a "F" in the student's grade point average until changed.

FORGIVENESS POLICY
   PCC's state-mandated grade forgiveness policy allows you to repeat only those courses in which you earn a grade of "D," "F," "N," or "W." You are allowed only three attempts in any one course, one initial enrollment and two repeats. Although all course attempts appear on your transcript, only the grade earned in the most recent attempt is calculated in your GPA. You are not allowed to withdraw from your third course attempt.
   Prior to repeating a course, consult the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating a course has on your financial aid status.
NOTE: Other institutions you eventually may transfer to do not necessarily have the same grade forgiveness policy as PCC and may recalculate your GPA or reassess your eligibility for financial aid.

STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS
   The regulations regarding academic progress apply to all credit students regardless of the beginning date of attendance at Polk Community College. In determining academic progress, college credit, vocational credit, and preparatory credit are combined. Attempted courses are defined as all courses for which a student registered and remains enrolled beyond the last day of the Drop/Add period.
   The term, "Standards of Academic Progress," refers to the policies and procedures Polk Community College uses to define a student's progress as he/she completes academic course work at the college. Standards of Academic Progress are designed to help the student monitor progress and standing in regard to the GPA requirement. A minimum overall 2.0 grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation from PCC.
   The seven (7) levels of academic standing are:

• Good Academic Standing
• Academic Warning
• Academic Probation
• Academic Suspension
• Probation After Suspension
• Academic Dismissal
• Probation After Dismissal

The college helps students monitor their standing and progress. For any term in which a student earns a GPA of less than 2.0, or  fails to complete 50% of their attempted 

• Good Academic Standing
• Academic Warning
• Academic Probation
• Probation After Suspension
• Probation After Dismissal

   Students who are on Academic Suspension at the institution from which they are transferring, may not enroll at Polk Community College in the term immediately following the term in which the suspension was incurred. A student, may however, enroll under the appropriate status in the next succeeding term or subsequent terms thereafter.

Academic Terms Defined
   Overall Hours Attempted — Total credit hours attempted since entering college, including hours credited from previously attended institutions.
   Overall GPA — Grade point average for all work attempted since entering college, including work from all previously attended institutions.
   Term Hours Attempted — Total number of credit hours for which a student has enrolled in a given semester.
   Term Hours Earned — Total number of hours in a given semester for which a student earned a passing grade.
   Term GPA — Grade point average for all work attempted for a given semester.
GPA Calculation — To calculate Overall GPA or Term GPA, grades and grade point values must be used as follows:

   To calculate Term GPA, multiply Course Credit Hour by Grade Point Value to determine Quality Points earned per course; divide Term Quality Points earned by Term Hours Earned.
Example:

 To calculate Overall GPA, divide the Overall Quality Points earned by the Overall Hours earned.

Good Academic Standing
A student is in Good Academic Standing when for his/her last term completed all of the following conditions are met:

• At least 50% of the courses in which the student was
  registered in the last term were completed with grades of "D" or better.
• The GPA for the last term was 2.00 or higher.
• The Overall GPA is 2.00 or higher
  
  Academic Warning
  A student will be placed on Academic Warning under any of the following conditions:
• The student's Overall Hours Attempted is 12 hours or more, and the student's Overall GPA is less than 2.0.
• The student's Term Hours Earned is less than 50% of the Term Hours Attempted for the term attended.

   A student will remain on warning until he/she returns to Good Academic Standing or falls to Academic Probation.

Academic Probation
   A student will be placed on Academic Probation under any of the following conditions:|

• The student's Overall Hours Attempted is 30 hours or more, and the student's Overall GPA is less than 2.00.
• The student is on Academic Warning and fails to earn a Term GPA of 2.00 or greater for the next term attended.
• The student is on Academic Warning, and the student's Term Hours Earned is less than 50% of the Term Hours Attempted for the next term attended.

   A student may register for classes on Academic Probation only after academic advising and with specific course approval.

Academic Suspension
   A student will be placed on Academic Suspension under any of the following conditions:

• The student's Overall Hours Attempted is 45 hours or more, and the student's Overall GPA is less than 2.00.
• The student is on Academic Probation, and fails to earn a Term GPA of 2.00 or greater for the next term attended.
• The student is on Academic Probation, and the student's Term Hours Earned is less than 50% of the Term Hours Attempted for the next term attended. 

   A suspended student may not enroll at the College for one term following suspension.