Academic Policies

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

Free Gospel Bible Institute issues a diploma upon satisfactory completion of the three year course accruing a minimum of 125 academic units/clock hours and with the approval of the Board of Directors.

The Free Gospel Bible Institute measures academic units in terms of a semester. One academic unit of academic work would be equal to one class period of 50 minutes per week for a period of at least sixteen (16) weeks. The semester schedule for the two terms is listed in this catalog. There will be no recording of academic units in our permanent record file until an individual has completed at least one full semester.

GRADING SCALE The grading system shall be as follows:
100 4.0 99 3.9 98 3.8 A+ 97 3.7 96 3.6 95 3.5 A 94 3.4 93 3.3 92 3.2 A- 91 3.0 90 2.9	89 2.8 B+ 88 2.7 87 2.6 86 2.5 85 2.4 B 84 2.3 83 2.2 82 2.1 B- 81 2.0 80 1.9 79 1.8 C+	78 1.7 77 1.6 76 1.5 C 75 1.4 74 1.3 73 1.2 C- 72 1.0 71 .8 70 .5 D
A = Excellent B = Average C = Fair D = Poor F = Failure

GRADING POLICIES
1. Grade averages are calculated on a 4 point scale.

2. Students maintaining below 70 percent are failing and will be placed on Academic Probation.

3. INC (incomplete) is given to students who fail to complete course work before the end of the grading period, due to unavoidable circumstances, such as sickness, or other excused absence. No credit is given for course work that is incomplete. To receive credit, work must be completed before the end of the next semester.

4. Student may not fail more than one subject in order to satisfactorily complete a semester.

5. Make-up work is not permitted for the purposes of receiving Veterans Administration training allowances.

6. Students who are unable to fulfill academic requirements, but who have demonstrated a sincere, conscientious effort to achieve, may be issued a Certificate of Attendance.

PROGRESS STANDARDS
Each student must maintain a 70 percent average in order to continue in the ministerial course.

ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students failing to maintain a 70 percent average will automatically be placed on academic probation and may be dismissed at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There will be a one semester probationary time (if necessary) before the student's name is reported to the Board of Directors. See REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

Students on academic probation are required to concentrate on studies. Limitations may be placed on social activities, choir membership, participation in Student Ministry, holding class offices, membership on the yearbook staff, off-campus time, and other non-study oriented activities.

If dismissal occurs, readmission will only be considered, following completion of the full enrollment procedure by the student, and approval of the Board of Directors.

Veteran's Administration students receiving failing grades are placed on probation for a semester. If unsatisfactory progress continues beyond the probation period, the Veteran's Administration will be notified and the training allowance will be discontinued.

PROGRESS RECORDS
Progress records will be furnished by the office for the students two (2) times each year. The grading period will cover the student's progress to this time (i.e. for the full semester). The report card will be issued as shown on class schedule. The progress record will be received from the faculty members who will arrive at a numerical grade showing the student's progress based on:

1. Class Participation/Presentations
2. Tests
3. Assignments given for personal study

EVANGELICAL TRAINING ASSOCIATION
Free Gospel Bible Institute is a member school of the Evangelical Training Association (ETA), an alliance of approximately 200 seminaries, colleges, and Bible institutes. Students who successfully complete a minimum of 90 undergraduate semester hours, including: 12 hours of Bible and 15 hours of Christian Education will be awarded the ETA Standard Teacher Diploma. Diploma holders are lifetime approved to teach the ETA Church Ministries Certificate Program for credit within local churches and Bible institutes.

ACADEMIC HONORS: DEAN'S LIST
To be on the Dean's List a student must achieve a GPA 3.2 - 4.0 in every subject plus excellent in both conduct and adaptability. Students achieving this goal will be given special privileges by the administration. Pastors and parents will also be notified of the student's achievement.

Conduct and Adaptability will be rated as excellent, good, fair, or poor.

Grading for CONDUCT includes general behavior, couple relationship in connection with the rules, violation of rules, conduct on student ministry, and common sense etiquette both at the Institute and on student ministry.

Grading for ADAPTABILITY includes general dorm living, attitude, how a student applies himself, how assignments are completed, cooperation with lights-out, performance of duties, cooperation with faculty, respect for authority, student-faculty and student-dean relationships, complaining, ability to get along with fellow students, adherence to the dress code, punctuality, study hall behavior, dependability, returning to the Institute on time from vacations, and general Christian behavior.

GRADUATION HONORS
In addition to the academic honor of being on the Dean's List, students are challenged to achieve Graduation Honors.

(1) The graduating senior with the highest three-year grade point average from FGBI, and approved Christian character will be the Valedictorian.

(2) The graduating senior with the second highest three-year grade point average from FGBI, and approved Christian character will be the Salutatorian.

DEGREES
Free Gospel Bible Institute does not issue degrees, but academic units earned have been transferable and accepted at numerous Christian colleges and liberal arts schools. Transcripts of a student's grades can be forwarded to other academic institutions for evaluation. Contact the Administration office for additional information.

TRANSCRIPTS
Free Gospel Bible Institute will issue transcripts to students who request such in writing, and have all FGBI debts paid. A transcript can be issued only upon completion of a full semester. A transcript fee of $3.00 must accompany the written request. A charge of $3.00 will be made for each FGBI catalog sent to other schools at the request of students.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES
I. Leave: Leave of absence is granted only to students who wish to temporarily interrupt their training for personal reasons. A request for leave must be made in advance in writing, or time away from school will be considered an unexcused absence. The Veterans Administration will be notified immediately when a veteran student is granted a leave of absence.

2. Absence: An excused absence is one that is due to illness, death in the immediate family, and any other unavoidable circumstance; however, the school must be apprised of the reason for said absence within twenty-four hours and the reason must be supported by documentary evidence or said absence will be recorded as unexcused. Three unexcused absences in any one month will result in disciplinary action. All students must attend 85 percent of the duration of the course in order to attain satisfactory attendance. When a student has missed over 15 per-cent of the duration of the course by excused and/or unexcused absences, his education may be immediately interrupted.

3. Class Cuts: Class cuts are not permitted, and shall be recorded as unexcused absences, and will be turned over to the Academic Dean for disciplinary action.

4. Tardiness: Any student not physically present at the start of his scheduled class period will be considered tardy. Excessive tardiness, such as three times unexcused in any five-day period, shall be cause for disciplinary action.

5. Withdrawal From School : In the event that a student withdraws from school the student must complete a written exit interview. Failure to make official withdrawal may disqualify the student for readmission at a later time.