Graduation and Admission Requirements Committee (GARC)

The Admission and Graduation Requirements Committee (GARC) considers appeals and/or petitions from students seeking a Fresh Start. The Committee is composed of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (chairperson), the Registrar, the Director of Admissions, and the Assistant Dean of the College in which the student is enrolled. Information about the appeals process can be obtained from the Registrar's Office.

Please follow these steps to submit a Fresh Start petition.

    1. Print Official Fresh Start Petition Form
      1. Complete student portion of Official Fresh Start Petition Form.
      2. Complete academic history details requested.
      3. Include copy of unofficial transcript.
    2. Prepare official letter to GARC committee specifying request.
      1. Official letter describing  request:
        1. Briefly describe circumstances of of first attempt.
        2. Briefly describe circumstances leading to current academic success.
        3. Briefly describe the network of support being utilized and expectation of continued success.
      2. Include supporting statement(s), if available. 
        1. This usually is a letter of support from a student's academic advisor, or faculty member who recommended Fresh Start.
    3.  Meet with department academic advisor for review and signature.
    4. Meet with NACOE Assistant Dean,Dr. Jennifer Clark, for review and NACOE Asst. Dean’s signature.
    5. Submit completed appeal to the Office of the Registrar.

Fresh Start Policy (Located in Course Catalog)

A former Montana State University undergraduate who returns to the University after a minimum absence of five years will have the opportunity to petition to begin a new cumulative (or Fresh Start) GPA as follows:

  1. After returning to Montana State Unviersity, a student must complete thirty credits of academic study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for the new course work before a petition for a Fresh Start GPA. 
  2. A student who is eligible for a Fresh Start GPA must petition for a new cumulative GPA during the semester following that in which he or she meets the requirements state in #1.
  3. A student may begin a Fresh Start GPA only once.
  4. Student petitions will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the Admission and Graduation Requirements Board. The decision of the Board will be final.
  5. When the new GPA is started, all previous grades and credits earned at Montana State University are  excluded; it is not possible to select some grades and credits to exclude while retaining others. Only Montana State University grades and credits will be excluded.
  6. The new GPA begins the first semester when the students is re-enrolled. The transcript will state that a new GPA has been started. The old grades will remain on the transcript. Although old credits will appear on the transcript, they may not be used to fulfill any University requirements.

Students wishing to petition for a Fresh Start GPA should contact the Registrar’s Office to initiate the process.