Students who are struggling in college might start losing the money they need to pay for tuition and books if they dip below the 2.0 GPA. For all students, a Student Academic Progress(SAP)
will be evaluated at the end of each quarter that is supposed to outline their progress toward graduation. Students who receive financial aid will be scrutinized based on their GPA and if it goes below a 2.0, they will be cut off by financial aid. Keep in mind that a 1.6-2.0 GPA is considered a C average.
Financial Aid is taking a route that most of the students might not like, especially when students are trying their hardest to pass their classes. When students miss a class, for whatever reason – whether it’s being a parent, working a job, needing help with homework, or they can’t focus properly – it’s a sign that they are struggling, not slacking. These students need help, and taking away their financial aid is not helping them become better students.
As someone who has been through two academic probations despite trying to pass my classes by working hard, I think it’s wrong to leave students constantly hanging in the balance with their GPA alone.
Financial aid shouldn’t have abso- lute control over someones education. If someone barely makes it to class because of car problems, they shouldn’t be discouraged but helped. It’s better to uplift them and talk about what is keeping them from doing their work & getting to class on time, and come up with solutions that will help them do better. That’s what advisors are here for.
Education should be for everyone who wants an education, it shouldn’t be just for the privileged. If someone wants an education, they should grab it. A less than stellar GPA shouldn’t be a deterrent to higher learning for those who are struggling.
The whole point of financial aid is to help students who otherwise would not be able to afford a good education get one. If we start to limit the funding for people who just need extra help overcoming life’s obstacles, then we are going against the very purpose of financial aid.
Students shouldn’t feel like they can’t ask for help, or that they’ll be punished if they suck at math or have a hard time with writing assignments. Instructors don’t always want to listen, people just don’t care, and it’s wrong – that isn’t what education is about. The school should focus more on helping students achieve success, rather than penalizing and punishing them when they struggle.