Effective Fall 2025, DGS will become the Division of Exploratory Studies. Same mission; new name.

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Program for Academic Support & Success

The PASS Program is designed to assist EXP students on academic warning to achieve good academic standing through building appropriate study habits and time management, exploring majors/careers, selecting a realistic major, identifying campus resources, and much more.

Participation in PASS is not just about overcoming immediate challenges; it is also designed to build recognition of individual talents, abilities, and strengths long-term as students are empowered to make informed decisions and identify and utilize resources.

PASS Program Objectives

Through participating in PASS, students will be able to: 

  • Understand the terms and conditions of academic warning 
  • Create an appropriate course schedule, making adjustments as needed
  • Identify factors that contributed to progress during the previous semester(s)
  • Create and make progress toward academic and personal goals for success
  • Understand and utilize campus resources 
  • Understand and assess grade progress in each course
  • Understand options related to dropping courses and adding second eight weeks courses and exercise these options if needed
  • Identify a realistic plan for a major and develop a course schedule for the following semester accordingly

While on academic warning, Illinois students:

  • Must earn a term GPA of 2.00 or higher with 12 graded credit hours to avoid being considered for academic dismissal from the university. 
  • Must earn at least a 2.0 term and Illinois GPA to achieve good academic standing.
  • Who have experienced extenuating circumstances have the option to petition for a retroactive course drop of one or more courses.
  • Can elect only one course credit/no credit while on academic warning.

Requirements (and failure to meet requirements) will be communicated to students via Illinois email accounts.

 

Student Testimonials

"Your PASS advisor, just like mine, will believe in you when you don't believe in yourself. Place your trust in them, stady dedicated to the program, and you will see a continuous, positive change not only in your academic life, but in your personal life as well."

"To get the most out of the program I learned that active participation was a huge factor. The relationship with my advisor was pretty awesome. It was like a respectful best friend kind of thing where she was easy to talk to and was fun to get to know."

"I would say that the most significant thing about my PASS experience is that I had people who truly cared about my success in this institution. I had people who were genuinely concerned and did not want to see me fail. They were willing to help me and keep me encouraged even when times became hard."

"The impact that PASS had on my future success was very instrumental. It kept me on my toes and made me work hard. When I finally got out of it I was like I do not want to deal with being on edge like that again. PASS gave me one last chance to show that I am capable of succeeding in this university.

Questions?

Contact Jessica Arnold, Senior Associate Director for Enrollment & Access.