OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

70 Sip Ave., 4th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 | 201-360-4010 | academicaffairs@hccc.edu

Office of Academic Affairs Webpage

Students who have been away from the College for three years or more may apply for an Academic Fresh Start. Students who have been dismissed for unsatisfactory academic progress may only return within the framework of the College’s Fresh Start Policy.

Academic Fresh Start excludes from the GPA all grades from the first semester of enrollment to the final semester of enrollment prior to readmission. Generally, students cannot renew more than 36 credits.

If a Fresh Start is granted, all courses and grades will remain on the transcript with a statement memorializing Academic Fresh Start. All courses with grades of C or above on the transcript will be counted toward the student’s degree and may satisfy course prerequisites, but the grades will not be used in calculating the student’s GPA.

To receive a Fresh Start, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Coursework to be excluded must have been completed at least three (3) years prior to applying for Academic Fresh Start.

2. The cumulative GPA for all coursework taken three (3) or more years prior to application must be below 2.0.

Prior to applying for Academic Fresh Start, students must meet with an academic advisor who will assist them in registering for up to 12 credit hours. Once the student successfully completes 12 credits, the student may submit an application requesting Academic Fresh Start. Satisfactory completion of these 12 credit hours is defined as a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.0 for all coursework taken during this time.

Students will enter the Fresh Start process on probation and must comply with all probation policies.

Once an academic advisor signs the Academic Fresh Start application, the form is sent to the Office of the Registrar for processing.  A copy of the signed form should be given to the Office of the Registrar, Academic Advising, and the student.

The following guidelines apply to College Fresh Start Policy:

•     Academic Fresh Start will be granted only once.

•    Academic Fresh Start does not affect or alter the student’s records.

•    Coursework to be excluded must have been completed at least 3 years prior to applying for Academic Fresh Start.

•    All previous coursework will continue to appear on the student’s transcripts. However, the excluded coursework, regardless of grade, will not be included in the cumulative GPA. 

•    Credits excluded as a result of Academic Fresh Start cannot be used to meet course or program pre-requisites or requirements.

•    Subject to the discretion of the relevant School Dean or Academic Program Director, time limitations on any course current at the time of application may be applied.

•    This policy applies to HCCC records only. In the case of transfer to another institution, students must follow the receiving institution’s policy.

•    Students granted Academic Fresh Start must maintain regular contact with an advisor to monitor academic progress.