Alert, Break & Readmission
Students at Southwestern receive multiple alerts before being placed in break. No matter where you are in your academic journey, know that our academic counselors are here to support you! Let us know how we can help.
Types of Alerts & Breaks
Alert and Break can take a couple of different forms. Both levels one and two of alert, as well as break, fall into one of two categories:
- Academic: Relates to grade point average
- Progress: Relates to completion of courses
Regardless of your academic status, our counselors can assist in helping you navigate through your time here at Southwestern College. To set up a counseling appointment, visit our counseling page or contact us at Chula Vista campus at 619-482-6361.
Alert Steps
Level 1 Alert
Level One Alert indicates the following:
Academic Alert: GPA less than 2.0 in all units attempted
Progress Alert:
- Enrolled in at least 12 semester units; and
- 1 At least 40% of courses recorded “W”, “I”, “NC”, “NP”, or “F”
If you have any questions, visit us in person or contact us at 619-482-6361.
Level 2 Alert
Level Two alert indicates the following:
Improved academic progress in the past semester, but overall GPA and/or overall Progress remains below SWC requirments.
While you may attend classes for the upcoming term, you may be ineligible for Enrollment Priority and/or California College Promise Grant.
Take the following steps to help avoid break:
- Sign up for an Academic Success Seminar by using the link in your email.
- Check your SWC email regularly for information regarding your Financial Aid and Priority Enrollment status.
Academic Break & Readmission Steps
If you are on alert and you have not improved your academic standing for two consecutive semesters for either one or both of the following standards, you will be on break status:
- 2 Academic Break: A student who is on academic alert shall be subject to break if the student has earned a cumulative grade point average of less than 2.0 in all units attempted or the most two recent consecutive semesters.
- 3 Progress Break: A student who has been placed on progress alert shall be subject to break if the percentage of units in the subsequent semester of recorded grades of A, B, C, D, Cr, and P on the student’s transcript falls below 60%.
Once you are placed on break, you are required to sit out for up to two semesters. You do have the right to appeal your break. However, until your petition is approved, you will be unable to make any additional changes to your current class schedule, aside from dropping classes.
If you do not appeal, or if your petition is not approved, you will be automatically dropped from all enrolled classes by the deadline provided in the counseling communication regarding your status. If you want to appeal, please contact our counseling staff through the counseling page.
1. Post Fall 2025: Students will be subject to review if 50% or more of their attempted units result in a grade of W, I, NC, NP, or F.
2. Post Fall 2025: A student on academic alert will be subject to break if their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 over the most recent three consecutive semesters.
3. Post Fall 2025: A student placed on progress academic alert will be subject to a break if less than 50% of their graded units (A, B, C, D, Cr, or P) in the following semester meet satisfactory progress.