Academic Probation & Suspension

Register for a SLIP Session

If you are on Academic Probation or Academic Suspension and need to register for a SLIP (Successful Learning Intervention Program) Orientation Session, please visit https://www.hccs.edu/slip.

If you have any issues registering for a SLIP session, please take a screenshot of your error message and email HCC.Cares@hccs.edu.

What is SLIP?

The SLIP (Success Learning Intervention Plan) Orientation is a required first step to enrolling in classes for a student who is on academic probation or suspension (earned academic grade point average is below a 2.0 GPA). Attending a SLIP session is the first in a series of 3 mandatory meetings a probationary/suspended student must complete during the semester.

A SLIP Orientation Workshop/Session lasts approximately 90 minutes plus time for Q & A afterward.

What's Covered?

On-campus, face-to-face classes are strongly recommended for students who are on probation or suspension. Successful completion of HCC Online classes requires significantly more student independent study time, study skills, internal motivation, and self-discipline. In addition, computer skills and accessibility are necessary. The online SLIP session will focus on helping students:

• Identify behaviors that lead to low GPA at HCC
• Change those behaviors in order to graduate from HCC
• Connect to counselors at HCC
• Realize the impact an academic suspension/probation has on student goals/plans
• Assess learning strategy strengths and weaknesses
• Assess and change career decision-related problems
• Connect to the wonderful HCC resources and staff available to help (i.e. online & in-person tutoring, writing centers, etc.)
• Identify, discuss, & change psychological barriers to success

Is SLIP the same as Financial Aid SAP?

Your Academic Progress (Academic Probation/Suspension) is different from Financial Aid's SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress). These are 2 separate statuses. Please contact financial aid for more information about your financial aid status.

Resources for your Financial Aid SAP Appeal:

• Video Explaining SAP @ HCC
• SwiftStudent will help you write a financial aid appeal letter for free
• Video on how to prepare for the appeal process. Even though the video says academic appeal, the same idea can be applied to the financial aid appeal process. This can give you greater insight into how to submit your financial aid appeal.

Help for more funding:

• Training & Education Scholarship from Workforce Solutions
• If you currently have a job, ask your employer about education assistance or tuition reimbursement benefits. Large employers will help with education costs like Walmart's Live Better U Education Program, Starbucks College Achievement Plan, Target's Scholars Program, or Amazon Career Choice.
  • Google "Best Employers with education assistance programs"

Academic Progress Requirements

A student’s academic progress will be evaluated for the first time after a minimum of nine (9) attempted semester hours. A student’s academic standing is determined at the end of the Fall semester (December), Spring semester (May), and Summer semester (August).

To maintain satisfactory academic progress, a student is expected to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 based upon the aggregate number of hours attempted at Houston Community College.

Students who maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above are considered to be in good academic standing.

Students who do not maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 will be placed on academic probation, continued academic probation, or academic suspension as defined below. These three academic status levels alert students that action is required. Students are expected to establish contact with their counselor and/or college advising center for support and assistance with improving their academic standing.

Additionally, students placed on academic probation or academic suspension should note the following:

• Students on academic suspension are required to attend a Successful Learning Intervention Program (SLIP) session at the college they attend prior to re-enrollment, and prior to meeting with their designated counselor. Students can register for a SLIP session at www.hccs.edu/slip.
• The student’s counselor will stipulate conditions of enrollment including, but not limited to, maximum hours and/or specific courses.
• Students on Academic Suspension may be unable to enroll in classes for one (1) semester.
• A student may appeal an Academic Suspension may by completing the necessary paperwork obtained at the college’s counseling center. For more information on appealing a suspension, students may contact their college’s counseling center. See Counseling Contact Information at www.hccs.edu/counseling.

The following requirements also apply to the determination of academic progress:

• Students enrolled in multiple summer sessions will have their entire summer’s work evaluated for the determination of their academic status.
• Students in certain Health Sciences programs are required to maintain a grade of “C” in all courses in order to continue in the program. Students not meeting these standards may continue to enroll at HCC in other programs as long as they maintain minimum HCC requirements. Health Sciences students should check their program’s requirements by visiting www.hccs.edu/programs/areas-of-study/health-sciences.
• Students are responsible for knowing whether they have passed the minimum standards for continuation in college. Ineligible students who register will be subject to dismissal with forfeiture of all tuition and fees.

For additional information, please visit the Student Handbook at www.hccs.edu/studenthandbook.

Do you need an Advisor or Counselor?

Counselors are licensed mental health professionals and provide confidential time-limited, short-term counseling to currently enrolled students. Counselors work with students with anxiety, depression, coping skills, stress, loss/grief, goal setting, etc.

Advisors assist students with their academic planning like what courses to take, degree planning, transferring to/from HCC, placement testing, etc.