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Academic Suspension Appeals

Retention Standards and Academic Probation 

The minimum cumulative grade point average required by the University for awarding the baccalaureate or associate degree is 2.00 for all degree level work taken by the student as part of an approved program of study. The GPA is computed by dividing the total number of hours attempted into the total number of quality points earned except for credit hours in courses for which the student received a of “W” or “I”, (see Adjusting Class Loads). Any enrolled student who meets the minimum academic requirements is in good academic standing at the University.

At the end of the next term of enrollment, a student on academic probation who has failed to attain either the above cumulative standard or a 2.0 GPA for that term will be suspended. The first suspension may be appealed. If successfully appealed, the student must either earn a semester GPA of at least 2.00 or achieve the cumulative GPA required for the number of credit hours attempted as outlined in the preceding chart. Students failing to meet one of these standards must sit out for one semester, excluding summer sessions. Students must apply for re-admission for the semester in which they plan to return to the University.

Re-acceptance Process

The Suspension Appeals Process is provided for students who can physically document extenuating circumstances which contributed to their suspension.  Only students with documented extenuating circumstances will be accepted for review by the "University's Review Committee on Suspension and Readmission."  All other students should adhere to the guidelines of their suspension, which could mean "sitting out" for one semester.  Students are placed on Academic Suspension if, after placed on academic probation, they fail to meet the following Retention Standards:

*Please be advised that Academic Suspensions are separate from Financial Aid suspensions.

A student who believes that extenuating circumstances contributed to his/her suspension may appeal the case to the University‘s Review Committee on Suspension and Readmission.  To appeal, the student must: 1) Submit an appeal form immediately after receiving notification of suspension; and 2) Provide verifiable documents supporting the extenuating circumstances that contributed to their suspension. All documentation and appeal forms must be received by the appropriate deadline:

Students who meet the above criteria can begin the appeals process by clicking on and completing the Readmission Form. Upon completion, click the link at the bottom of the Readmission Form to officially file your appeal.  Print and keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

All supporting documentation should be sent to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@tnstate.edu. Any documentation that verifies extenuating circumstances (e.g. medical records) should be forwarded by the appropriate deadline to Academic Affairs at Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 9531 Nashville, Tennessee 37209.  If students choose to fax documentation, please provide a completed cover sheet and fax to (615) 963-5597 .

If successfully appealed, the student must either earn a semester GPA of at least 2.00 or achieve the cumulative GPA required for the number of credit hours attempted as outlined in the Retention Standards in the Undergraduate Catalog.  Students whose appeal is denied or fail to appeal by the deadline must sit out for one semester, excluding summer sessions.  Suspended students must apply for re-admission for the semester in which they plan to return to the University.