Rule 3341-3-69 | Fresh start for graduate students.
(A) Policy statement and purpose
This policy describes the eligibility criteria, effects, and conditions of an academic "fresh start" for graduate students. It allows the removal of all grades from the graduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) that were earned at Bowling Green state university (BGSU) during a previous enrollment, provided those grades did not contribute to a completed graduate degree or certificate.
A graduate student with a "fresh start" has been given the opportunity to reset their cumulative GPA after a period of poor academic performance. The academic requirements remain the same for all students in a given degree or certificate program, whether the students are starting fresh after a previous enrollment or completing their program as originally enrolled.
(B) Eligibility criteria
(1) Previous enrollment in a BGSU graduate degree or certificate program with a graduate cumulative GPA below 3.0 that has not contributed to an earned graduate credential.
(2) Conditional approval by the academic program, line college, and graduate college as a fresh start student who starts on academic probation. Wait time between the original and fresh start program is strongly encouraged. Extenuating circumstances may be considered at the discretion of the fresh start program.
(3) Follow an academic success plan developed in collaboration with the fresh start of an academic program.
(4) Earn a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 in the first nine letter-graded (non-S/U and non-audit) credit hours in the fresh start of an academic program.
(C) Effects
(1) All graduate grades earned at BGSU that did not contribute to a completed graduate degree or certificate are excluded from the calculation of the GPA (i.e., forgiven), including passing grades.
(2) Each grade subject to this policy will remain on the official transcript but will be noted as "forgiven."
(D) Conditions
(1) Any academic honesty violations, probations, suspensions, and/or dismissals from prior semesters will remain on the student's academic record.
(2) Grades awarded as the result of an academic honesty violation are not subject to fresh start. These grades will continue to be used to calculate the student's cumulative GPA.
(3) An academic fresh start cannot be applied after a graduate degree or certificate is earned. However, a student who is pursuing an additional graduate degree or certificate at BGSU may be eligible for a fresh start. The fresh start is only applicable to coursework completed after the awarded graduate degree or certificate.
(4) A student can have an academic fresh start applied to their academic record only once, regardless of how many times they enter or attend graduate programs at BGSU.
Last updated June 16, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 3341
Prior Effective Dates: 5/23/2019