See PDF copy of this policy.
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A student with a two-year lapse of attendance at Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) may apply for a transcript re-evaluation (Fresh Start) within two calendar years of returning to RCTC. A student will be allowed to submit a second Fresh Start application after a four-year lapse of attendance at RCTC. A transcript re-evaluation allows a student to exclude grades and withdrawals that are detrimental to the student’s grade point average (GPA) and College Completion Rate. Detrimental grades are defined as “D”, “F”, “FN”, and “FW” grades, along with Withdrawals (“W”), Incompletes (“I”), and non-credit (“NC”) because they impact a student’s ability to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The student’s record will reflect all original grades and courses attempted by the student. Courses approved for Fresh Start will not be included in the computation of Academic SAP; however, when reviewing a student’s Financial Aid SAP, all original grades and courses will be included in the GPA and Completion Rate/Maximum Timeframe measurements.
Courses that were counted toward any previously conferred Diploma, Certificate, or Associate’s Degree cannot be considered for re-evaluation.
The entire transcript will be reviewed upon application to a program with selective admission criteria, therefore, Fresh Start may not benefit students applying to certain RCTC programs. Students planning to transfer may wish to consult their transfer institution to determine what impact Fresh Start may have on their transition.
Date of Implementation: Immediate
Date of Adoption: 6/9/97
Revisions Adopted: 11/28/00; 6/16/10; 10/29/2013; 9/23/2025