This program allows eligible students whose academic performance was unsatisfactory during earlier college attendance to disregard grades earned. A student who has not attended any institution of higher education for the past four years is eligible to participate in Academic Fresh Start and must declare an intent to do so at the time of making application to the University by checking “Yes” to Academic Fresh Start on his/her application. Upon acceptance, all previously earned grades must be disregarded. A student does not have the option of retaining “good” grades and disregarding “poor” grades. Past grades remain on the student’s transcript, however, they will not be used in calculating the GPA.
Upon satisfactorily completing 40 semester hours at TSU, the student may petition to have all grades on all courses prior to the 40 semester hours disregarded in calculating the cumulative grade point average. A petition for approval and transcript should be sent to the dean of the school in which the student desires to major. It is the responsibility of the student to adhere to the process and must initiate this process upon successful completion of 40 semester hours.
To qualify for Academic Fresh Start, the applicant must:
- Not have been enrolled in any institution of higher learning for the past four years.
- Complete a regular application for admission and specifically check information pertaining to Academic Fresh Start when being admitted to the University.
- Submit official college transcripts from all institutions attended other than Tennessee State University.
- Not hold any college degree.