All graduate students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale). A student is automatically placed on academic probation if the GPA falls below 3.0.

Matriculated full-time students are given one semester, and matriculated part-time students are given 9 credit hours to achieve a 3.0 GPA, provided total credit hours do not exceed the degree program by more than 6 credits. Failure to achieve a 3.0 GPA within the specified time results in academic dismissal. In addition, failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during each semester of academic probation results in academic dismissal.

Premajor (undeclared) students must have a 3.0 GPA by the completion of 12 or more credit hours. Failure to achieve a 3.0 GPA by the completion of 12 or more credit hours of graduate-level coursework results in academic dismissal. Students with fewer than 12 credit hours are automatically placed on academic probation should the GPA fall below 3.0. Failure to achieve a 3.0 GPA by the completion of 12 credit hours results in academic dismissal. In addition, failure to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during each semester of academic probation results in academic dismissal.

After being placed on academic probation, nondegree students have until the completion of the next semester in which enrolled to achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA. Failure to do so renders a student ineligible for further registration.

Graduate students who have been academically dismissed must wait one full year from the time of dismissal before applying for readmission.

Graduate students may be readmitted to the university only once after an academic dismissal. If readmitted, a student automatically returns to academic probation should the cumulative GPA fall below 3.0. The student then has one full-time semester or 9 credits of part-time study to achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA and must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during each semester of academic probation. Failure to do so results in final academic dismissal.

Academic probation may also affect financial aid eligibility. Graduate students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to receive federal financial aid.

Graduate students also may be dismissed from Buffalo State for determination of an academic misconduct offense.

For more information contact the Financial Aid office, finaid@buffalostate.edu, (716) 878-4902, or on the Financial Aid website.