Policies & Procedures
The following policies and procedures are outlined below. Select the policy or procedure of interest from the below menu to navigate to the specific language for each and any associated forms or resources:
Academic Standing Policy
To remain in good academic standing, all students are expected to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average. A student whose semester GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on academic warning. A student whose semester GPA falls below 2.0 for the second consecutive semester will be placed on academic probation. If the student’s semester GPA falls below 2.0 for a third consecutive semester and/or the cumulative GPA is below 2.0, the student may be placed on academic dismissal from the school and must wait for one semester before applying for readmission. The student will no longer be certified for GI Bill® benefits when the semester GPA falls below 2.0 for the third consecutive semester. For GI Bill® benefits to be restored, the student must be under a monitoring program that requires the student to maintain a semester GPA of 2.0.
All students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better to maintain status for any institutional scholarships awarded.
Official Transcript Request
Current students are able to access and view unofficial transcripts in Populi under the Transcript tab, reviewing the dropdown menu options available via “Transcript Actions.” This includes submitting an Official Transcript Request to the Registrar, which includes a $5 fee for each official copy requested to be printed, mailed, or delivered electronically.
For all other individuals unable to access Populi, please complete the form below and submit your $5 payment for each official transcript copy requested. Note that all information provided below is encrypted and securely handled to help identify your academic record.
Official transcripts will not be released if the student has an outstanding balance due on their account.
Statement on Transferability of Credits and Degrees
Students should be aware that transfer of credits to other institutions is solely at the discretion of the receiving institution. Students who are considering attending Ascent College and then transferring to another college should contact the receiving institution for its policy on accepting credits from another institution.
Ascent College transfers in credit from other colleges in accordance with our Transfer Credit Policy. Credits from a postsecondary institution accredited by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) are transferable to Ascent College if the classes are comparable and applicable to the degree plan. Credits from other postsecondary institutions may be transferable and are evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Every effort is made by administration to transfer as many hours as possible to avoid loss of academic credit.
Please use the College Board Score Send Code 33528 when requesting AP records be sent to Ascent College.
Prior Learning Assessment
Ascent College awards credit for life experience. No more than 30% of the credit in a student’s degree program may be awarded for life or work experience.
Institutional Equivalencies
We use the Federal definition of the credit hour.
The amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalence that reasonably approximates not less than:
- One (1) hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two (2) hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks,
- Or at least an equivalent amount of work as required in statement one of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including lab work, internships, practice, studio work, and other academic work leading toward the awarding of credit hours.
Face-to-Face Format (On Campus)
For each semester hour of credit, classes must include a 50-minute period with the instructor and two (2) hours of outside class work for at least fifteen weeks. One credit hour = 50 minutes of contact + 120 minutes of outside work over fifteen weeks for a total of 2,550 minutes of student effort.
Distance Education (Online)
For each semester hour of credit, classes must include three (3) hours of work per week for at least fifteen weeks. Three (3) hours include interactions with faculty, other students in online discussion forums and other formats, and additional course work outside interactive formats. One credit hour = assignments equaling 170 minutes per week over fifteen weeks for a total of 2,550 minutes of student effort.
Any Off-Cycle Course (i.e., 8-week Course)
Must be equivalent in both contact and outside work totals as a semester-length course.
Teach-Out Policy When Closing a Branch Campus or Degree Program
Leave of Absence
In the case of prolonged illness or accident or other special circumstances that require a student to pause their studies, a leave of absence may be granted to a student who submits the Leave of Absence Request Form through that student’s Academic Advisor. The Leave of Absence Request Form requires an anticipated return date that must be within 180 days of the start of the leave of absence. If a student has not returned as an active student in that time frame, that student will be administratively withdrawn and will need to reapply to continue their studies. If a student would like to resume taking courses within those 180 days, they may do so as long as their student account balance has been fully satisfied and they have satisfied any academic disciplinary measures required. No additional fees will be incurred during a leave of absence. Upon the student’s return from the leave of absence, he or she will be permitted to resume taking courses in their program of study. A leave of absence is not permitted to extend beyond 180 days within a 12-month period.
Institutional Withdrawal
A student must submit a form to the Registrar’s Office to officially withdraw from Ascent College. Failure to attend classes is not considered an official notice and could result in a grade of “F” for all courses in progress at the time the student ceases attendance. An official withdrawal is recorded after the student completes all exit interviews and associated tasks.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Ascent College admits students of any race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs. The College reserves the right to withdraw a student for what it considers to be a necessary cause at any time.
Student Complaints
Students are encouraged to follow the Biblical principles found in Matthew 18 to resolve conflicts, concerns, or complaints. Written complaints shall be responded to in writing within ten (10) days of receipt of the complaint. If the complaint is rejected, the student shall be notified of the reasons for the rejection. None of the student’s rights or remedies shall be limited by participating in the complaint procedure. In addition, a student participating in the complaint process will not be subjected to retaliation or adverse action.
If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of this complaint process, they have the right to contact the State Council for Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), which provides a webpage for students who may have complaints against a college.
If you are a resident of a state other than Virginia, you may also contact the office in your state to file complaints against the College. Please contact the Student Affairs Office for further information.
Students may also contact The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) at 5575 S. Semoran Blvd. Suite 26, Orlando, Florida 32822-1781 and phone number 407-207-0808 to file a complaint against the College.
The student complaint will follow these steps below:
- Students will be encouraged to resolve the complaint themselves by speaking directly to the person involved. If no resolution can be made, then the student is encouraged to complete the next step.
- Complete the Student Grievance Form and submit it to the Student Dean. The administration will acknowledge receipt of the form to the student within 48 hours.
- If necessary, a meeting will be set up to include the parties involved.
- If no resolution is achieved, the complaint shall be transmitted to the College President for review and resolution.
The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA) is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. This office investigates complaints of G.I. Bill® beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact the SAA office via email at saa@dvs.virginia.gov. G.I. Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about educational benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at VA.gov | Veterans Affairs.
Sexual Misconduct and Violence Policy
Click here to view our Sexual Misconduct and Violence Policy.
Please refer to the attached Emergency Response Plan for additional information regarding COVID-19 and the Continuity of Instruction and Records:
Ascent College receives many opportunities for various full-time or part-time ministry positions. No guarantee for placement may be made.