GPA, which stands for for Grade Point Average is a standard method of measuring the academic achievement of a student in the U.S. for both secondary and college levels.
A satisfactory GPA in addition to other requirements asked for by an educational institution, presents a gauge of satisfactory academic performance. It is an important basis not only for for college admission but also in seeking financial aid to complete a course in higher education.
This denotes that a student who was able to secure financial assistance must strive to maintain a GPA considered as acceptable by institutions involved in awarding financial support. Otherwise, failure to maintain a GPA at the required satisfactory level can result to losing the financial support counted on as means of completing a college degree or course.
Ways to Avoid Losing College Financial Aid as a Result of Unsatisfactory GPA
The moment a student enrolls in college or university that facilitated the granting of a financial aid, it is important for that student to familiarize him or herself with the standards required by the institution. That is because standards of satisfactory progress depends on the policies outlined by the college or university in which a student is enrolled.
Another important matter to keep in mind is that the calculation of a student’s GPA at high school level, is different at college level. The A to F grading system, when given an equivalent score using a 4-point scale still depends on the number of units represented by each course.
When speaking of number of units, also known as course credits, it refers to the number of hours of lecture and homework devoted by a student every week to complete a subject during a school year or semester.
Number of units is usually three in every secondary level course. Yet this is not always the case in college courses, because course credits or number of units could vary even by a fraction. Variations in number of units or course credits therefore can affect a GPA that a student presumed as already satisfactory.
Knowing how to calculate one’s GPA can help in raising one’s awareness of whether he or she is on track, or falling below the standard required by the educational institution.
The most important action that can help a student maintain satisfactory academic progress is to communicate to financial aid officers, advisers and professors any problems encountered in relation to one’s academic endeavours.
As a rule, colleges and universities notify students if it seems they are at risk of failing to meet the satisfactory academic progress required by the school. That way, the students will have time to seek consultations on out-of-the ordinary problems that may be preventing a student from maintaining satisfactory academic performance that is necessary in keeping one’s financial aid intact.