Ateneo QPI Retention & Scholarship Maintaining Rules (OAA Guidelines 2026)
An authoritative guide to Ateneo de Manila University's Quality Point Index (QPI) retention policies under the Office of Admission and Aid (OAA), covering Director's List (3.00 QPI), Financial Aid minimums, probation thresholds, and Dean's List honors.
At Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), academic performance and scholarship standing across the Loyola Schools are measured using the Quality Point Index (QPI). Operating on a direct 4.0-point quality letter scale (where 4.00 represents an 'A' grade and 0.00 is an 'F'), Ateneo enforces rigorous academic retention standards governed by the Office of Admission and Aid (OAA) and the Committee on Standards.
This guide explains the QPI quality point scale, Director's List and Academic Scholar retention benchmarks (3.00 cumulative QPI), year-level minimums for Financial Aid grantees, academic probation rules, and how to compute your standing using the Ateneo QPI Calculator.
The Ateneo 4.0 Quality Point Index (QPI) Grading Scale
Ateneo assigns quality points to letter grades, which are multiplied by subject credit units to compute term and cumulative QPI:
| Letter Grade | Quality Point Value | Numerical Percentage Equivalent | Academic Descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.00 | 92.00 – 100.00% | Excellent |
| B+ | 3.50 | 87.00 – 91.00% | Very Good |
| B | 3.00 | 80.00 – 86.00% | Good |
| C+ | 2.50 | 75.00 – 79.00% | Satisfactory |
| C | 2.00 | 69.00 – 74.00% | Sufficient |
| D | 1.00 | 60.00 – 68.00% | Minimum Passing (Conditional) |
| F | 0.00 | Below 60.00% | Failure |
Scholarship Maintaining Rules (Office of Admission and Aid)
The OAA categorizes scholarship retention policies into distinct academic tracks:
1. Director's List & Merit Academic Scholars
- 3.00 Cumulative QPI: Academic and Director's List scholars must maintain a cumulative QPI of at least 3.00 (or B average) at the end of each academic year.
- Automatic Forfeiture Triggers: Incurring a single grade of F (Failure), an official mark of W (Withdrawal due to poor standing), or incurring two (2) grades of D across any academic terms results in the immediate revocation of scholarship privileges.
2. 100% / 50% Financial Aid & Grant-in-Aid Scholars
Financial aid scholars must maintain regular good academic standing with the university, satisfying year-level minimums:
| Year Level Standing | Minimum Cumulative QPI Required | Mandatory Service Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year (Freshman) | 1.80 Cumulative QPI | 10 to 15 hours / semester of scholar service duty |
| Second Year (Sophomore) | 1.90 Cumulative QPI | 10 to 15 hours / semester of scholar service duty |
| Third & Fourth Year (Junior/Senior) | 2.00 Cumulative QPI | 10 to 15 hours / semester of scholar service duty |
University Academic Probation & Dismissal Rules
Separate from scholarship retention, the Loyola Schools Committee on Standards enforces general retention rules:
- Academic Probation: A student whose semestral QPI falls below the year-level minimum is placed on academic probation and restricted to 12–15 academic units in the succeeding term.
- Academic Dismissal: Failing more than 50% of enrolled units in a single semester or failing to clear probationary standing results in academic dismissal from Ateneo.
Dean's List Honors & Graduation Awards
Students who maintain high semester QPI averages earn Dean's List distinctions under Ateneo Honors Guidelines:
- First Honors: Semester QPI of 3.70 or higher, with no grade below B.
- Second Honors: Semester QPI between 3.30 and 3.69, with no grade below C.
- Latin Honors: Cum Laude (3.50), Magna Cum Laude (3.70), and Summa Cum Laude (3.87) under Ateneo Latin Honors Cutoffs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What happens if an Ateneo scholar receives a 'D' grade?
A single 'D' grade earns quality points (1.00) and counts as passing for curriculum progression. However, for Merit and Director's List scholars, receiving two 'D' grades across college will result in scholarship forfeiture.
2. How does Ateneo QPI compare to DLSU CGPA or UP GWA?
Ateneo uses a 4.0 scale (A=4.0) while UP uses a 1.0–5.0 inverted scale (1.0=highest). DLSU uses 4.0 numerical steps (4.0, 3.5, 3.0). You can convert between these scales using our free GWA to GPA Converter.
3. Are PE and NSTP counted in Ateneo QPI?
No. Non-academic courses like physical education and NSTP do not carry quality points in semester or cumulative QPI computation.