Policy Rationale
Vermont State University (VTSU) recognizes that there are circumstances which affect a student’s ability to succeed academically. Either amelioration or fresh start provides students with a one-time opportunity to eliminate the academic impact of poor grades on their cumulative GPA .
Policy
Academic Forgiveness includes two options:
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Amelioration: Matriculated students who wish to mitigate the effects of uncharacteristically poor performance on their cumulative GPA may submit a petition for an amelioration.
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Fresh Start: Matriculated students who wish to mitigate the effects of extended poor performance on their cumulative GPA from prior to a separation from VTSU, and in which time their circumstances have changed substantively, may petition for a fresh start.
Important Guidelines
- Academic Forgiveness is permitted only once during a student’s academic journey in the Vermont State College System (VSCS). Students may take advantage of either amelioration or fresh start only once at either the Community College of Vermont (CCV) or VTSU and cannot apply for both an amelioration and a fresh start. Forgiveness involving coursework from CCV is done in accordance with CCV’s policies.
- Students should be aware that certain academic programs have specific course grade requirements; students who are granted academic forgiveness may still need to meet specific course, program, and general education grade requirements.
- Regardless of whether grades are calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA, previously earned credits will be counted towards total credits earned at VTSU. All attempted courses, whether forgiven or not, have federal financial aid implications for Satisfactory Academic Progress .
- Grades cannot be forgiven if they have already been included in calculations for awarding a degree.
- Forgiven courses will remain on the transcript, but the forgiven grades are removed from the calculation of the cumulative GPA.
- Amelioration or fresh start can have implications for students who receive federal financial aid. Students are encouraged to discuss these implications with the Financial Aid Office.
Amelioration
A matriculated student may petition to have selected low course grades removed from their cumulative GPA calculation. In no case shall a student have more than fifteen (15) credits worth of coursework for an associate degree or more than thirty (30) credits of coursework for a baccalaureate degree ameliorated. Only courses graded below C- are eligible for amelioration. Students may use this for circumstances including a single poor semester of performance, a change-of-program where the courses with low grades are no longer required in the new program, or when a course has been eliminated from the curriculum by the Faculty Assembly or has not been taught for five years, because the student has no opportunity to repeat the course for an improved grade. Ameliorated credits are included in the cumulative earned credits, hence they may impact financial aid eligibility, however, they are not included in the GPA calculation.
Fresh Start
A matriculated student who has been away from VTSU for three years or more or a matriculated student who previously attended as Dual Enrollment high school student may petition to have low course grades removed from their cumulative GPA calculation. Once a student has achieved at least twelve (12) credits of VSCS coursework that is all graded above C-, they may petition for a fresh start. There is no credit limit when invoking the fresh start provision of this policy. If approved, all coursework with earned grades below C- before the time of separation or during Dual Enrollment will be forgiven. These credits are included in the cumulative earned credits, hence they may impact financial aid eligibility, however, they are not included in the GPA calculation.
Procedures
Amelioration
Once a student has achieved at least six (6) credits of coursework that are all graded above C-, they may petition for an amelioration by completing the Academic Forgiveness Form found on the VTSU Portal under Student Forms.
The petition should include:
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A detailed letter explaining
- Why you are requesting academic forgiveness.
- If relevant, what lessons you have learned from your past academic challenges.
- Your plan for achieving academic success moving forward.
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Any relevant supporting evidence that strengthens your case.
The appropriate Dean of Schools will review the submission and may contact the student for more information. Decisions are sent to students via their university email within ten (10) business days.
Fresh Start
Once a student has achieved at least twelve (12) credits of coursework that is all graded above C-, they may petition for a fresh start by completing the Academic Forgiveness Form found on the VTSU Portal under Student Forms.
The petition should include:
-
A detailed letter explaining
- Why you are requesting academic forgiveness.
- If relevant, what lessons you have learned from your past academic challenges.
- Your plan for achieving academic success moving forward.
-
Any relevant supporting evidence that strengthens your case.
The appropriate Dean of Schools will review the submission and may contact the student for more information. Decisions are sent to students via their university email within ten (10) business days.
Responsibilities
Students:
Submit an Academic Forgiveness petition upon completion of the appropriate number of credits earned with grades above C-. You are encouraged to be thorough and honest in your explanations. Providing concrete examples and specific strategies in your plan for future success can strengthen your petition.
Dean of Schools:
- Address the student’s petition in a timely manner, within ten (10) days.
- Ensure due diligence in reviewing the petition by following up with the student for more information, if needed.
Related Documents and Forms
Academic Forgiveness Form
Related Policies
Vermont State Colleges Policy 111
Academic Standing, Academic Notice & Academic Dismissal
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Date of Last Approved Revision: April 2025
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