The first year of college is an exciting new phase and students are managing emotions and making decisions regarding their well-being with their peer groups and their loved ones. The academic demands of college require students to adjust their time management, study skills, and goal setting. Recent research has indicated that some students require more time to adapt and develop the skills necessary to be successful personally and academically. Keene State College has developed the Fresh Start program, a holistic academic support program to provide an additional semester for first-year students to focus on college level skills, and academic and co-curricular support services.
Fresh Start goals:
- To expose students to the skills and information required to be a successful college student.
- To assist students to “get on track” academically.
Fresh Start Eligibility:
- First-year student who has just completed their first semester; and
- Cumulative GPA in first semester of less than 1.0 (academic standing of academic suspension).
Information about how to apply to Fresh Start will be sent directly to eligible students.
In order to apply for Fresh Start, students must:
- Submit a completed application by Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 12 noon.
- Attend a mandatory virtual information session offered Friday, January 2, 2026 at either 12pm or 5:30pm.
a. At least one parent or guardian must also attend the virtual information session.
b. Students and parents/guardians must have their cameras turned on during the virtual information session. Failure to follow this requirement will result in immediate denial of Fresh Start application. - Withdraw from any J-term courses in which they were previously registered.
- Meet virtually with an assigned SASS Advisor between January 5-9, 2026 to:
a. review the requirements of the Fresh Start program;
b. determine a student’s willingness and ability to meet those requirements; and
c. develop an academic success plan.
If a student is accepted to the Fresh Start program the requirements are:
- Pay an enrollment fee of $250;
- Work with SASS Advisor to establish a plan to resolve any incomplete grades from previous semesters;
- Attend Fresh Start Orientation on Monday, January 19 from 1:00pm-4:30pm;
- Enroll in KSC 101-Becoming a Learner;
- Adherence to the KSC Attendance Policy in all classes throughout the semester;
- Attend weekly meetings throughout the semester with their Fresh Start advisor to:
a. Complete self-assessment; set personal and academic goals; and develop an individual success plan;
b. Build Fresh Start semester course schedule geared toward credit recovery and GPA improvements;
c. Participate in reflection, educational counseling, advising, and problem solving;
d. Review monthly progress reports;
e. Submit requests for academic tutoring and monitor participation as needed; and
f. Connect to recommended campus resources; - Meet weekly with a peer mentor assigned by the program; and
- Remain enrolled in no less than 12 credits or otherwise disengage from their enrolled courses during their Fresh Start semester.
Failure to adhere to Fresh Start policies and procedures noted above at any time in the semester will result in immediate removal from the program and a reinstatement of suspension status. Billing and cost adjustments will follow standard KSC Policy found here: https://www.keene.edu/life/services/accounts/resources/refunds/.
Additionally, students engaging in practices of self-harm (including isolation in room and lack of basic need management) or potential harm to others will be subject to removal from program.
Successful completion of Fresh Start will be defined as:
- Achievement of a minimum Overall Cumulative GPA of 1.5 by the end of the Fresh Start semester.
- Earning a minimum of 12 credits during the Fresh Start semester.
Note: If successful at the end of the Fresh Start semester, the Financial Aid office will separately evaluate student records according to the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements: https://www.keene.edu/administration/policy/detail/academic-probation/.
FERPA:
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, (FERPA) establishes requirements regarding the privacy of student records. Completion of the FERPA Release form grants or denies permission to individuals, parents, or guardians that students identify as being able or not able to access student information/records. More information about FERPA can be found at https://www.keene.edu/administration/policy/detail/ferpa/ including the link to the FERPA Release Form page (to be completed by the student).
Fresh Start Advisors are bound to uphold the student’s FERPA Release from access and permissions. It is recommended that Fresh Start students and their parents/guardians have conversations and discuss how to best proceed. Questions regarding FERPA should be directed to the Registrar’s Office at (603) 358-2321.