A new set of standards is now in effect for all students who receive federal student aid.
The University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy became effective July 1, according to a broadcast e-mail.
Under the new policy, all undergraduate students receiving aid must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA while graduate students must receive at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, the release said.
In addition, students hoping to earn bachelor’s degrees must complete their degree requirements within 160 attempted hours, with the exception of architecture students, who are allowed 215 attempted hours. The maximum time frame for students hoping to earn master’s degrees is 40 attempted hours with the exception of Ph.D. students, who will complete their program after seven years.
Both undergraduates and graduate students must earn 75 percent of all their attempted hours cumulatively.
For example, a student who earns 50 credit hours out of 71 attempted hours will not be able to continue to receive financial aid because he or she will have only earned 70 percent of the attempted hours.
Tatiana Williams, mass communication and sports administration sophomore, said the requirements are necessary.
“With budget cuts, there must be some standards,” she said. “The requirements seem pretty fair.”
Ali Loftin, mass communication graduate student, said she believes the graduate requirements are achievable.
“I think I’m capable of meeting the requirements, and I have no reason to question the policy,” she said. “Even special considerations for students are even looked into.”
But some students disagree that the policy favors students’ progress.
Brandi Thomas, mass communication junior and transfer student from the University of New Orleans, said she believes the GPA requirements are fair, but she doesn’t think the time frame aspect is important.
“Sometimes students have underlying reasons for needing to drop classes, and completing 75 percent of attempted hours can be hard,” Thomas said.
Kaylin Boyd, religious studies sophomore, said she disagrees with the financial aid requirements.
“I don’t like the time frame,” she said. “Not everyone is trying to get out of school in four years, especially when jobs are so scarce.”
Marissa Massey, anthropology junior, agreed.
“It is much harder for students to complete school while they also have jobs and other commitments,” Massey said.
Boyd also said she thinks the GPA requirements may be tough on freshmen.
“Freshmen are still trying to adjust to college,” she said. “It’s not fair that a student should lose financial aid while trying to get used to new surroundings.”
 
—-
Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]