APU Student Handbook
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Last Revision: January 30, 2024

Academic Risk

  • For undergraduate students, the Academic Risk period begins after attempting 12 semester hours with a cumulative GPA below 2.0.
  • For master's students, the Academic Risk period begins after attempting 6 semester hours with a cumulative GPA below 3.0.

If your cumulative program GPA (grade point average) falls below the minimum required by APUS, you will be notified by the Registrar's office that you have been placed on Academic Risk and that you will be restricted to part-time registration until your GPA is above the minimum level. The intent of the Academic Risk period is to provide you the opportunity to raise your cumulative GPA to minimum levels so that you may continue to pursue your academic goals. Once placed on academic risk, students GPA will be reviewed regularly based on academic level; master's students will be reviewed after completion of 3 credit hours and undergraduate students after completion of 6 credit hours.

Undergraduate students can be placed on academic risk up to twice during their academic program. Placement on academic risk the second time will be based on completing the first academic risk period with a GPA above a 2.0. Any student who does not meet the minimum GPA during either of their academic risk periods will be placed on academic probation. Students who improve their GPA above the minimum after the review period will be removed from academic risk and placed on academic good standing.

Students in Master programs and Graduate Certificates only have one academic risk period during their academic program. Any student who does not meet the minimum cumulative GPA during their academic risk period will be placed on academic probation. Students who improve their GPA to meet the minimum requirement after the review period will be removed from academic risk and placed on academic good standing.

Being placed on academic risk does not impact your registration in any of your current courses. You will be limited to part time registrations for your future registrations, so you will need to discuss your options with your funding source as your eligibility may be affected.

Consequences of Academic Risk

  • Registration: You will only be eligible to register as a part-time student, with no exceptions.
  • Financial Aid: Part of your eligibility for federal student aid is determined by your maintaining a GPA at or above the minimum required. While on academic risk and academic probation, you will only be eligible to register as a part-time student, which reduces the amount of federal student aid for which you are eligible during that semester.