Academic Standards Policy
The Academic Standards Policy (ASP) applies to students who have a quarterly and cumulative GPA below 2.0. The goal and purpose of ASP is to provide support to students so they can examine their educational journey while working with the college to pave a successful road ahead to their educational goals.
Highline College Academic Standards Policy became inactive during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since Spring 2023 there has been a provisional policy. Starting Spring 2025, Highline College implemented the finalized and approved new Academic Standards Policy. Within this new policy students were provided a starting point of Level 1 Academic Standing to ensure no further consequences for previous quarters.
ASP and its related procedures are in accordance with RCW 28B.10.695 and WAC 131-12-080.
Contact Information
If you have questions about the Academic Standards Policy, contact Sarijana Clark.
Types of Academic Standing
Students are placed on this level if both their quarterly and cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 for one quarter.
Students are placed on this level if both their quarterly and cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 for two consecutive quarters.
Students are placed on this level if both their quarterly and cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 for three or more consecutive quarters. At this level, the college is concerned about continued challenges and requires the student to pause their enrollment to re-evaluate their academic progress before returning.
Academic Standing and Next Steps
Select the quarter that you are trying to enroll in for a list of next steps and important dates.
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| July 2, 2026 | ASP Level 1 Registration Hold placed, and students notified of requirements to remove hold. |
| August 3, 2026 | ASP Level 1 Registration Hold removed and students notified. |
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| July 2, 2026 | ASP Level 2 Registration Hold placed, and students notified of requirements to remove hold. Within 2-3 Business days of submitting improvement plan students are notified of next steps for Hold removal. |
| Ongoing | Student’s Hold will be removed during attendance at Academic Standards Policy sponsored activity. |
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| June 18, 2026 | Students notified of ASP Level 3 Status and steps if planning on enrolling for summer. |
| June 23, 2026 | Fill Out ASP Level 3 Appeal Form and book ASP Appeals Committee Meeting by 5 p.m. |
| June 24, 2026 | Attend ASP Appeals Committee Meeting over Zoom. *Failure to attend results in a denied appeal. |
| June 25, 2026 | Students notified if their appeal was approved or denied by 5pm. Students not selecting to appeal will have their classes dropped by 5pm to allow for 100% refund. ASP Level 3 Hold placed on student’s account. |
| July 16, 2026 | Students whose appeals were denied for summer will have their hold removed for Fall Quarter Registration. |
If you didn’t enroll in the summer quarter, the ASP Level 3 Appeal process took place in the Summer, and you will be required to take the Fall off for not completing that process.
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| October 2, 2026 | ASP Level 1 Registration Hold placed, and students notified of requirements to remove hold. |
| November 3, 2026 | ASP Level 1 Registration Hold removed and students notified. |
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| October 2, 2026 | ASP Level 2 Registration Hold placed, and students notified of requirements to remove hold. Within 2-3 Business days of submitting improvement plan students are notified of next steps for Hold removal. |
| Ongoing | Student’s Hold will be removed during attendance at Academic Standards Policy sponsored activity. |
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| August 20, 2026 | Students notified of ASP Level 3 Status and steps if planning on enrolling for fall. |
| TBD | Fill Out ASP Level 3 Appeal Form and book ASP Appeals Committee Meeting by 5pm |
| TBD | Attend ASP Appeals Committee Meeting over Zoom *Failure to attend results in a denied appeal. |
| TBD | Students notified if their appeal was approved or denied by 5pm. Students not selecting to appeal will have their classes dropped by 5pm to allow for 100% refund. ASP Level 3 Hold placed on student’s account. |
| November 3, 2026 | Students whose appeals were denied and those who selected not to appeal will have their hold removed for Winter Quarter Registration. |
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2027 | ASP Level 1 Registration Hold placed, and students notified of requirements to remove hold. |
| February 25, 2027 | ASP Level 1 Registration Hold removed and students notified. |
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2027 | ASP Level 2 Registration Hold placed, and students notified of requirements to remove hold. Within 2-3 Business days of submitting improvement plan students are notified of next steps for Hold removal. |
| Ongoing | Student’s Hold will be removed during attendance at Academic Standards Policy sponsored activity. |
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| December 23, 2026 | Students notified of ASP Level 3 Status and steps if planning on enrolling for fall. |
| December 30, 2026 | Fill Out ASP Level 3 Appeal Form and book ASP Appeals Committee Meeting by 5pm |
| TBD | Attend ASP Appeals Committee Meeting over Zoom *Failure to attend results in a denied appeal. |
| TBD | Students notified if their appeal was approved or denied by 5pm. Students not selecting to appeal will have their classes dropped by 5pm to allow for 100% refund. ASP Level 3 Hold placed on student’s account. |
| February 25, 2026 | Students whose appeals were denied and those who selected not to appeal will have their hold removed for Winter Quarter Registration. |
*Academic Suspension is different from Financial Aid Suspension. Students who have questions about funding should contact Financial Aid directly.