Academic Standing, Disqualification and Reinstatement

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students with a cumulative CSUMB GPA and an overall GPA above 2.0 are in good academic standing.

Students with either a CSUMB cumulative GPA or an overall GPA below 2.0 are placed on either academic probation or academic disqualification, depending on:

• Their class level
• GPA
• Whether they have been on academic probation before

For more information about our undergraduate academic disqualification policy, please review section 5.30 of the CSUMB Academic Standing Policy.

Students placed on academic probation or subject to academic disqualification are notified via CSUMB email shortly after grades are posted.

Students on academic probation are eligible to attend CSUMB but must complete the Otter Academic Success program to help support their future success.

Academic disqualification results in dismissal from the university. Students may appeal for immediate reinstatement or reapply to CSUMB after meeting the reinstatement requirements.

Undergraduate students on academic probation and whose GPA is below the standards in section 5.30 of the Academic Standing Policy (see summary table below) are subject to academic disqualification at the end of the spring semester. Academic disqualification results in:

• Disenrollment
• Loss of active student status
• Loss of eligibility for housing, financial aid, and other student services.  

Second Baccalaureate students on academic probation are subject to academic disqualification if they fall below a 2.0 GPA in all units attempted or in all units attempted at the campus where they are enrolled.

Veteran Students: A veteran or eligible dependent/spouse who remains on probation for:

• A grade point deficiency below a 2.0 cumulative GPA for undergraduate programs, or
• A 3.0 cumulative GPA for a post-baccalaureate or graduate program beyond two terms

Shall have their veteran’s benefits certifications discontinued until they return to satisfactory academic standing.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students who have been notified of academic disqualification may appeal their disqualification under the following conditions: 

• Extenuating circumstances or events were the main reason a student did poorly in one or more courses. AND
• The student has met with a Success Advisor to develop strategies and a plan to overcome those challenges in the future and return to good academic standing.

OR

• The student earned a GPA above 2.3 in the most recent semester, but their CSUMB GPA still falls below the standards outlined in the table above. However, they have an advisor-approved plan to return to good academic standing (CSUMB GPA above 2.0).

Graduate and Credential-Seeking Students

Graduate and credential-seeking students who have been disqualified should contact their Program Coordinator for more information.

Reinstatement Appeal Process and Required Documents (Undergraduates)

1. Log in to the "Reinstatement Appeal - Summer 2025" Canvas course through your CSUMB Dashboard. All undergraduate students who received notification of academic disqualification have been enrolled in the course. 
2. Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor immediately to adjust your class schedule. It may be necessary to repeat courses that you didn't pass in a prior semester. Use the Otter Navigate app on your CSUMB Dashboard to schedule an appointment. 
3. Schedule a meeting with your Success Advisor via the Otter Navigate app on your CSUMB Dashboard to discuss your options and success strategies, and to get assistance filling out the two required forms. Both forms are available on Canvas. Before meeting with your Advisor, you can start working on the Appeal Narrative Form.
4. Your Success Advisor will assist you with the GPA calculation available on Canvas. This form allows you to see what grades you must earn in your next semester's courses to improve your GPA and achieve good academic standing. You and your Success Advisor will fill out the form together and then send you a PDF copy to upload into Canvas. 

You must upload the Appeal Narrative Form and the GPA Calculation Form to the relevant Canvas course for your term by the specified deadline. Late appeals will not be accepted.

June 9: Students who have been notified of academic disqualification must meet with both their Academic Advisor and Success Advisor.  Students must also log in to the “Reinstatement Appeal - Summer 2025” Canvas course to access the required forms and instructions if they plan to appeal for reinstatement.

July 9:  Deadline to submit all disqualification appeal documents by uploading them to the “Disqualification Appeals” Canvas course. 

July 22: The Center for Academic and Student Success notifies students of the status of their disqualification appeal, with copies sent to Financial Aid, Residential Life, and the Office of the Registrar.

• Students whose reinstatement appeals are approved are allowed to continue at CSUMB on "Academic Probation Continued" and are allowed one additional semester to improve their GPA. The conditions for their continuation are in their notification letter. They must also submit a separate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal to the Financial Aid office.
• Students who did not submit a disqualification appeal or whose disqualification appeal was denied are academically disqualified from CSUMB. They will be dropped from all fall term classes and lose access to all CSUMB services, including financial aid, housing, and their CSUMB Dashboard.

Students who do not submit a complete appeal by the deadline or whose appeal was denied should refer to the "Returning to CSUMB After Disqualification" section below for more information.

Undergraduate students who have been academically disqualified from CSUMB may apply for readmission to CSUMB and submit an appeal for reinstatement after fulfilling the following criteria:

• Wait one academic year before submitting an application for readmission.
• Pass a minimum of 12 transferable units at another institution (or through CSUMB Open University).   
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or greater for all transferable units taken after disqualification from CSUMB.
• Achieve a cumulative (overall for all colleges, including CSUMB units) GPA of 2.0 or above. Note that this criterion may require you to complete more than 12 units or earn a GPA higher than 2.3 in the units completed after leaving CSUMB.
• If not done earlier, complete General Education (GE) areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 with a grade of C- or higher before reapplying to CSUMB. Note that under the new Fall 2025 General Education (GE) requirements, these will be classified as 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2, also requiring grades of C- or better. 

Submit a new application for admission to CSUMB on the Cal State website.

For details and deadlines, refer to Steps to Apply for Returning Students.

Your readmission and reinstatement will be reviewed with approval based upon your documented good-faith effort to improve academic standing and improve circumstances within your control that directly resulted in your disqualification.

For questions regarding this process, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@csumb.edu or by phone at 831-582-3738.