Academic Standing

Students with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 or above (or those without an established cumulative GPA) are considered to be in good academic standing.

This summary is for undergraduate students as a helpful reference. Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for more details on the Academic Warning Policy. For graduate student academic policies and procedures, refer to the Graduate Catalog.

Academic Warning (formerly Academic Probation) is an academic standing applied when the student's cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below a 2.00. Notifications are sent at the end of each semester after official grades have been completed. 

What does academic warning mean?

You have earned a cumulative GPA below a 2.00. You will be allowed to remain at Oakland University on warning status for at least one semester.

How will I know I’m on academic warning?

You can log in to MySail for the latest academic standing information. Students who are on academic warning should also receive an OU email notification, after grades have been submitted for the term. 

Who can I talk with about academic warning?

Your academic adviser can answer questions about academic warning and can also help you to select appropriate courses for upcoming semesters. To find your assigned academic adviser, visit the Find My Academic Adviser web page.

You are also encouraged to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a coach in the Academic Success Center to create an individualized plan for your success.

Does academic warning affect my scholarship(s), grant(s), or financial aid?

Generally, being on academic warning means your scholarships, grants, or any financial aid may be at risk. Renewal requirements vary for each one. For more information, contact Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (248) 370-2550, [email protected], or visit their office in North Foundation Hall, Room 120.

Should I repeat any classes?

There are a few important things to consider when deciding whether or not to repeat a course. Course repeats impact the number of credits completed in a semester, which could impact your financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Also, consider that the most recent grade will be the grade of record, whether or not it is the highest grade earned. Speak with your Academic Adviser and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships before making any decisions regarding repeating a class.

What do I need to do to end academic warning?

Achieving a cumulative GPA of a 2.00 or higher takes you off academic warning and you are considered in good academic standing with the University.

What happens after I am on academic warning for one semester and don’t have a 2.00 cumulative GPA?

Students can continue on Academic Warning, as long as they are within the guidelines stated in the Academic Warning Policy in the Undergraduate Catalog. If a student does not meet the guidelines noted in the Academic Warning Policy, the student could be academically dismissed. 

It is important for students to continue meeting with their Academic Adviser and utilizing the services of the Academic Success Center to discuss academic success strategies to get back into good academic standing (2.00 or higher GPA).

If you have general questions about the academic warning process, please email [email protected] for assistance.

This summary is for undergraduate students as a helpful reference. Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for more details on the Academic Dismissal Policy. For graduate student academic policies and procedures, refer to the Graduate Catalog.

In general, first academic dismissal is the academic status for students who were on academic warning (formerly academic probation), attempted 24 or more credit hours and do not have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00. Academic dismissal occurs at the end of each semester after official grades have been completed.

Does being dismissed affect my scholarship(s), grant(s), or financial aid?

Yes, students who have been dismissed no longer meet the requirements for scholarships, grants or financial aid. To file a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal or to discuss payment plans, contact Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (248) 370-2550 or visit their office in North Foundation Hall, Room 120.

Is there an appeal process for academic dismissal?

Yes, the first time a student is dismissed from OU, they have the opportunity to appeal the dismissal. 

If granted, the student will be able to immediately continue taking classes at OU. It is important to know that the dismissal appeal decision does not change the student's GPA, nor their financial aid eligibility. 

Students who are dismissed a second or third time are not eligible to appeal. Also, students who were previously dismissed and were granted an appeal, but have now had their dismissal reinstated are not eligible to appeal again. 

This is the first time I've been dismissed, what are some reasons I might file a dismissal appeal? And what documentation do I need? 

Your academic adviser is available to discuss the appeal option with you.

Here are some reasons a student may file an appeal, along with their suggested documentation:

• Military duty with copy of official orders for active duty;
• A medical condition with doctor’s letter on letterhead verifying the nature of conditions and dates of treatment;
• A job conflict with employers’ letterhead confirming date and necessity of job changes;
• A crisis situation explained in a letter on letterhead from an employer, legal, medical or other relevant professional;
• Financial problems with documentation of university error directly causing the financial problem;
• Death of family member with published obituary.

What are the upcoming important dates for submitting a dismissal appeal?

• Notification to Academically Dismissed Students (Check OU email): Friday, August 28, 2026 
• Academic Dismissal Appeal Deadline (for students dismissed the first time): Friday, September 4, 2026 by 10 AM ET. Late appeals will not be considered.
• Students Notified of Appeal Decision (Check OU email): By end of the day Wednesday, September 9, 2026 (Continue to attend your Fall classes while you await the appeal decision.)

I have decided to file an appeal. What steps do I take? 

If you have been dismissed for the first time and decide to complete an appeal,

• Check the appeal deadline (above), since late appeals cannot be accepted;
• Gather your Grizzly Identification Number (GID) and any documentation to support your claim;
• Go to the UTS Forms Menu (https://www.oakland.edu/uts/forms/) and select the Academic Dismissal Request Form. (Use Firefox or Google Chrome to complete the form.);
• Allow yourself 30-45 minutes to complete the entire form, since you cannot save your progress and return later;
• Attach documentation that supports the appeal reason;
• Make sure your name that auto fills on the first page of the appeal matches your name on the signature page;
• Click submit and receive a confirmation message;
• If relevant, continue to attend your OU classes during the appeal process. However consider having alternate plans, such as registering for community college classes, so you do not miss their registration deadlines if your appeal is denied.

Appeals received by the deadline will be reviewed by a university academic appeals committee. Please check your OU email daily, since the committee will contact you via email with any questions as well as the final decision.

If your appeal is approved, you will be allowed to continue taking classes. You must earn a semester GPA of a 2.00 or higher every semester of enrollment until your overall GPA is back to Good Standing (2.00).

If your appeal is denied, you may not attend Oakland University for two consecutive semesters. Then, you may apply for readmission to Oakland University by the due dates provided on the readmission application. Making a success plan with an academic adviser is part of the readmission process and can be done immediately after dismissal. 

Should I take classes at another college during my period of non-enrollment at OU?

The answer to this question is "depends". You will want to check with your academic adviser to see if this is the best option for you during your time away from OU:

• Contact your academic adviser for the best courses for you to take at another institution;
• Earn a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA at the other institution to be eligible for readmission to OU.

What are other ways I can get ready to return to OU? 

If you decide not take courses at another college following academic dismissal from OU, here are some other ideas to improve your readiness to return to OU:

• Visit the Academic Success Center to discuss ways to enhance your academic performance (ASC coaching and tutoring are still available free-of-charge during the two semesters following your dismissal);
• Meet with an academic adviser to discuss a different major of interest and the related coursework;
• Job shadow or do an informational interview of someone in a position you would like to know more about;
• Volunteer with an organization related to your career interests.

If you have general questions about the academic dismissal process, please email [email protected] for assistance.