Academic Awareness Program

The Academic Awareness Program (AAP) provides resources to assist students on academic or progress probation in returning to good academic standing.

At De Anza, the probation process is an opportunity to think about what's getting in the way of reaching your academic goals. You might be working too many hours, or struggling with food, housing or mental health needs. Or you might benefit from tutoring or advice on choosing classes and the right major. Together with your counselor, the Academic Awareness Program can help you get back on track!

Contact the Academic Awareness Program!

For questions or assistance relating to academic or progress probation, visit the Academic Awareness team directory to find contact information and a complete list of team members. We are ready to support you!

Contact the Academic Awareness Program

What Is Academic or Progress Probation?

There are two types of probation: academic probation and progress probation. Students can be on one or the other, or both at the same time. Click each tab to learn more.

Academic Probation
You can be placed on academic probation if you have taken at least 18 units at De Anza and your cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below 2.0.
- You can move off academic probation and return to good academic standing by raising your cumulative GPA to 2.0 or higher.
- If you're on academic probation, you will be sent an email each quarter informing you of your status and the required steps for returning to good standing.
- While you're on academic probation, you'll be required to meet with an academic counselor and complete the Academic Awareness Student Survey
- If your GPA is below 2.0 for five quarters, you may be moved to dismissal status – which means you can be dropped from your classes and required to sit out for a quarter.
- See below for more information about academic probation standards and requirements, including details about dismissal status.
Progress Probation
You can be placed on progress probation if you have enrolled in at least 18 units at De Anza and received course grades of W (Withdrawn), I (Incomplete) or NP (No Pass) for at least half of the units in which you enrolled. This means you will have completed less than 51% of the units for all courses in which you have enrolled.
- You can move off progress probation and return to good standing by passing your classes; avoiding grades of W, I or NP; and raising your cumulative completion rate to 51% or higher.
- If you're on progress probation, you will be sent an email each quarter informing you of your status and the required steps for returning to good standing.
- While you're on progress probation, you'll be required to meet with an academic counselor and complete the Academic Awareness Student Survey
- If your cumulative completion rate is below 51% for five quarters, you may be moved to dismissal status – which means you can be dropped from your classes and required to sit out for a quarter.
- See below for more information about progress probation standards and requirements, including details about dismissal status.

Find More Information

Scroll down or click on these links to find more information about

Scholarships and book vouchers
Standards for academic and progress probation
Required steps and Academic Awareness survey
FAQs and answers about academic and progress probation
Tips and resources for maintaining good academic standing

Need Help Paying for College?

two young women doing high five

The Academic Awareness Scholarship celebrates students who show strength and persistence in working toward their goals, despite being on academic probation. The deadline to apply for spring quarter is June 2, 2024.

Apply for Scholarship

Need Help Paying for Books?

stack of books on grass with dollar bills fluttering in the air

We have FREE book vouchers available for students on academic or progress probation.

You can use these vouchers to purchase books and materials at the De Anza Bookstore.

Apply for Book Voucher

Probation Standards

If you are on academic or progress probation, you will have a registration hold placed on your student account. This will prevent you from registering for next quarter – and from obtaining any certificates, degrees or transcripts – until you meet with a counselor.

If you're on academic or progress probation for more than one quarter, you may also lose your priority registration status.

Important Information About Financial Aid and GI Benefits

If you are on academic or progress probation for more than one quarter, you could lose eligibility for certain types of financial aid or GI benefits. Contact the Financial Aid or Veteran Services office for more information.

Academic Probation Standards

You will be placed on academic probation if you have taken at least 18 units at De Anza and your cumulative GPA (grade point average) for all courses is below 2.0.

At that point, you will be notified by email and you must complete the required steps listed below, which are intended to help you improve your academic performance.

An initial period of probation lasts for one quarter. After that, you will be taken off probation if you have increased your cumulative GPA to at least 2.0.

Dismissal Status

If your GPA for a quarter is below 2.0 and your cumulative GPA has been below 2.0 for five quarters – the quarters don't have to be consecutive – you can be placed on dismissal status for the next quarter.
If you are on dismissal status, you may be dropped from classes and required to sit out for a quarter.
See the FAQs below to learn more about what to do if you're on dismissal status.

Contact the Academic Awareness Program or your counselor to determine your current level of academic probation.

Progress Probation Standards

You will be placed on progress probation if your course grades are W (Withdrawn), I (Incomplete) or NP (No Pass) for at least half of the units in which you have enrolled at De Anza. This means you will have completed less than 51% of the units for all courses in which you have enrolled at De Anza.

At that point, you will be notified by email and you must complete the required steps listed below, which are intended to help you improve your progress.

An initial period of probation lasts for one quarter. After that, you will be taken off probation if you have increased your cumulative completion rate to at least 51%.

Dismissal Status:

If your cumulative completion rate is below 51% for five quarters – the quarters don't have to be consecutive – you can be placed on dismissal status for the next quarter.
If you are on dismissal status, you may be dropped from classes and required to sit out for a quarter.
See the FAQs below to learn more about what to do if you're on dismissal status.

Contact the Academic Awareness Program or your counselor to determine your current level of progress probation.

Required Steps and Survey

Click for Survey

Students on all levels of academic or progress probation are required to:

Complete the survey: You must complete the Academic Awareness Student Survey for the current quarter. Click the yellow button above to begin the survey for this quarter.
Meet with an academic counselor:
- If you are part of a program that has its own academic counselors, please contact the counselor for your program. You'll find how to reach them by visiting the Our Counselors webpage.
- If you are not a part of a program that has its own academic counselors, please contact the Academic Awareness Program team. You will be partnered with an Academic Awareness counselor and a student support specialist to assist you in regaining academic standing and getting back on track to reach your goals.

FAQs and Answers

How can I drop a class if there's a probation hold on my student account?
You can still drop a class (before the drop deadline) if you have an academic or progress probation hold on your account.

Here's what you need to do:
1. Log in to MyPortal
2. Open the Apps page and click on the tile for Adobe Sign Student Forms
3. Open the form called De Anza ADD/DROP/WITHDRAWAL Request Form
4. Complete the form and submit it online
How can I have an academic or progress probation hold removed?
What should I do if I'm on dismissal status?
If you've been placed on academic or progress probation dismissal status, you must meet with a counselor and submit a petition to the Appeal Review Committee (ARC). Here's what you need to do:
1. Schedule a meeting with an academic counselor
2. Before your meeting, log in to MyPortal
3. Open the Apps page and click on the tile for Adobe Sign Student Forms
4. Open the form called De Anza Petition to the ARC for Admission After Dismissal
5. Gather the information you need to complete the form
6. When you meet with a counselor, you can complete the form and have the counselor sign it. (A counselor's signature is required.)
7. Submit the form to the ARC
8. The ARC will notify you of their decision. (It may take at least seven business days for the ARC to review your petition.)
What if I've been away from college for one or more quarters?
Welcome back! We're glad you are returning to De Anza. Here are the steps to follow if you didn't take courses here last quarter. (This doesn't apply if you only took the summer off.)
- You must submit a new application for admission. It's easy – just follow the steps to Apply and Register.
- If you were on academic or progress probation when you last attended, you'll also need to contact the Academic Awareness program to have your registration hold lifted
- Then you can go ahead and register for classes.
The Academic Awareness Program team is here to help. Pleae contact us if you have any questions.
When do I get off academic or progress probation?

Academic probation: You can move off academic probation by raising your cumulative GPA to 2.0 or higher.

Progress probation: You can move off progress probation by raising your cumulative course completion rate (for all courses you've taken at De Anza) to at least 51%. You can do this by passing your classes and avoiding grades of W (Withdrawal), I (Incomplete), or NP (No Pass).
Will probation affect my financial aid or GI benefits?
Students on academic or progress probation for more than one quarter can lose eligibility for certain types of financial aid or veterans' benefits. Contact these offices to learn more.
- Financial Aid
- Veteran Services
Does probation affect my priority registration?
Can I get help with my classes or other issues?

Yes! The Academic Awareness Program team will work with your counselor to help you connect with resources and services.

You can also check the Guide to Student Services and review the Tips for Avoiding Probation that are listed below on this page.
What if I have other questions?

Tips for Maintaining Good Standing

Here are some things you can do to maintain your academic standing:

Complete all the classes in which you enroll. If you're struggling, talk with your instructor, your program counselor or a member of the Academic Awareness Program team.
Remember the deadline to drop classes each quarter: For standard, 12-week classes, you must drop no later than the second Sunday of the quarter to avoid getting a W or other undesirable mark.
Plan your schedule so you can balance responsibilities at school, work and home. Remember that 12 units is considered a full-time course load.
Allow time for homework. Typically, that means two to three hours a week, per class unit. A four-unit class may require four hours of class time and eight to 12 hours of homework per week.
Visit the Student Success Center: They offer individual, group and online tutoring in a variety of subjects, along with study skills workshops and other assistance.
Consider other kinds of support. De Anza has programs that offer all kinds of services to assist students in reaching their goals. You’ll find a list of resources on the Guide to Student Services and Resources for Basic Needs webpages.