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 (as of March 2025):
- Satisfactory Academic Standing: Satisfactory Academic Standing is a status indicating a student is meeting ASP requirements by maintaining a quarterly and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Level 1 Academic Standing
- Students are placed on this level if both their quarterly and cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 for one quarter.
- Students on this level are placed an ASP Level 1 registration hold and they must complete an Academic Improvement Plan in order to have the hold lifted.
- Level 2 Academic Standing
- Students are placed on this level when both their quarterly and cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 for two consecutive quarters.
- Students on this level are placed an ASP Level 2 registration hold and must complete all of the following to have the hold lifted:
- Submit an Academic Improvement Plan approved by Highline College staff or faculty and
- Participate in an Academic Standards Policy sponsored activity.
- Level 3 Academic Standing
- Students are placed on this level when 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.
- Students on this level will be notified of their status (Wednesday March 25th or when final grades post) and provided a week to decide if they want to appeal having to take a quarter off or not.
- If you decide to appeal:
- You are required to submit the appeal form and rsvp for your meeting with the appeals committee.
- Please submit both forms as soon as possible.
- Attend your meeting with the appeals committee and be prepared to explain your circumstance and why your appeal should be approved.
- Meetings will take place March 27th, March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd.
- Keep an eye out on your email for meeting confirmation.
- Appeals and Meeting RSVPs are due by 3pm on Wednesday April 1st.
- Students will be contacted prior to 2pm on Friday April 3rd if their Level 3 Appeal was approved or denied.
- You are required to submit the appeal form and rsvp for your meeting with the appeals committee.
- If your appeal was denied:
- Students will be contacted prior to 2pm on Friday April 3rd that their appeal was denied.
- Students whose appeals were denied will have an ASP Level 3 Registration hold on their account by 2pm on Friday April 3rd. This hold would be removed on Tuesday May 5th to allow for summer or fall term registration.
- Students not selecting to appeal:
- Students not selecting to appeal will have their classes dropped by 2pm on Friday April 3rd to allow for 100% refund.
- An ASP Level 3 Registration hold will be placed on their account by 2pm on Friday April 3rd. This hold would be removed on Tuesday May 5th to allow for summer or fall term registration.
*Academic Suspension is different from Financial Aid Suspension. Students who have questions about funding should contact Financial Aid directly.
Academic Standards Policy Level Flow Chart TBA