Academic Renewal Policy FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Office of Educational Access and Success has answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on updated policies. If you have a question not included here, please feel free to contact us via email at ccg@usg.edu.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING CHANGES TO ACADEMIC RENEWAL
- When will the policy and procedural changes go into effect?
- The revised Academic Renewal procedure states that institutions must set a minimum period of absence, between three and five years, necessary for students to be eligible for academic renewal. Does this mean that students who have been absent more than five years cannot be eligible for academic renewal?
- Is Academic Renewal only an option for students returning to the same USG institution they previously attended?
- Must a student be absent from all institutions of higher education (this would include any USG and TCSG institution) in order to be eligible for academic renewal?
- How does Academic Renewal differ for a readmitted student compared to a transfer student?
- Under the previous Academic Renewal procedure, a student could not be granted transfer credit and still be eligible for Academic Renewal. Has this changed?
- Under the previous Academic Renewal procedure, a suspended/dismissed student who attended a USG institution during the period of absence could not be eligible for Academic Renewal. Has this changed?
- Is a student’s academic record completely “wiped clean” if he or she is granted Academic Renewal?
- How are students at consolidated institutions affected?
- Where can I find additional details about these changes?
1. When will the policy and procedural changes go into effect?
A: The changes to the Academic Renewal policy and procedure went into effect August 20, 2014, the date the policy was approved. The USG recognizes that there may be delays as institutions prepare their staff and internal systems for these changes.
2. The revised Academic Renewal procedure states that institutions must set a minimum period of absence, between three and five years, necessary for students to be eligible for academic renewal. Does this mean that students who have been absent more than five years cannot be eligible for academic renewal?
A: No, the three to five year period of absence is a minimum requirement. Institutions must set their minimum period of absence, which can be set no lower than three years and no higher than five years. If a student is absent longer than the set minimum time period, he or she would still be eligible for Academic Renewal.
3. Is Academic Renewal only an option for students returning to the same USG institution they previously attended?
A: No, a student does not have to return to the same USG institution he or she previously attended in order to be eligible for Academic Renewal. See the answer to question 5 for details regarding how transfer students can be eligible for Academic Renewal.
4. Must a student be absent from all institutions of higher education (this would include any USG and TCSG institution) in order to be eligible for academic renewal?
A: With the changes to Academic Renewal, a student who attends any institution during the period of absence can still be eligible for Academic Renewal. In this case, coursework completed at least three to five years ago (per the minimum period of absence set by the institution) is eligible for renewal.
5. How does Academic Renewal differ for a readmitted student compared to a transfer student?
A: Both readmitted and transfer students are held to the required minimum period of absence set by the institution. For readmitted students, the period of absence is based on an absence from the previous USG institution. For transfer students, the period of absence is based on coursework completed. See below for a detailed explanation.
A student who has been readmitted to their previous USG institution must be absent from that institution for a period of time to be established by the institution (but that is no less than three years and no longer than five years) in order to be eligible for Academic Renewal.
A student who left a regionally-accredited institution of higher education and transfers to a USG institution may have coursework completed prior to the period of absence to be established by the institution (as with readmitted student the period of absence can be no less than three years and no longer than five years) be eligible for Academic Renewal.
6. Under the previous Academic Renewal procedure, a student could not be granted transfer credit and still be eligible for Academic Renewal. Has this changed?
A: Yes, under the revised procedure, a student who has earned transfer credit should have their transfer credit granted according to the institution’s policies regarding transfer credits AND may be eligible for Academic Renewal. This student would have to meet transfer student admission requirements for the institution and would have to apply for Academic Renewal.
7. Under the previous Academic Renewal procedure, a suspended/dismissed student who attended a USG institution during the period of absence could not be eligible for Academic Renewal. Has this changed?
A: Yes, under revised procedure, a student who has been suspended/dismissed and attended another institution (USG or otherwise) may still be eligible for Academic Renewal. This student would have to meet transfer student admission requirements for the institution and would have to apply for Academic Renewal.
8. Is a student’s academic record completely “wiped clean” if he or she is granted Academic Renewal?
A: No, the institutional grade point average is reset but the student’s previous course grades are still visible on the transcript. Furthermore, the granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs (such as nursing), which may require a certain GPA for all coursework (even "renewed" coursework).
Students should also be made aware that there may be financial aid implications with Academic Renewal and should be encouraged to speak with a financial aid officer to learn more about these implications.
9. How are students at consolidated institutions affected?
A: As an example, a student previously attended two institutions (Institution A and Institution B) that have since consolidated. The student’s attendance at Institution A meets the minimum period of absence requirement for Academic Renewal but Institution B was last attended more recently and does not meet the minimum period of absence requirement. Institution A and Institution B courses now appear on one transcript due to the consolidation. How does this impact the student’s eligibility for Academic Renewal for the work completed at Institution A?
The status of the institutions at the time the student last attended should be considered when determining eligibility for Academic Renewal.
Example:
- Institution C (the institution the student now attends) has set a 3 year minimum period of absence.
- Student last attended Institution A more than 3 years ago.
- Student last attended Institution B less than 3 years ago.
- Institution A and B consolidated after the student last attended Institution A.
- The student submits a consolidated Institution A+B transcript to Institution C.
- In this case, the coursework taken at Institution A would be eligible for Academic Renewal.
10. Where can I find additional details about these changes?
A: http://completecollegegeorgia.org/sites/default/files/resources/AR_Policy_Recommendations_final.pdf
