It's no easy task to graduate from any university. Columbia University, though, is a more challenging school than most. Success means staying the course term after term, year after year, and sometimes that's easier said than done. You can never know when life is going to intervene in the form of an illness, a bad breakup, or a semester when you just don't have the motivation to get through those no-sleep, days-long study sessions.
No matter how smart and dedicated a student you may be, we all falter now and then. That shouldn't put your academic or professional future at stake.
When you hit those low points, National Student Defense attorney-advisor, Joseph D. lento, may be able to help. You might well ask, what can an attorney do for me? I'm a student. The fact is, many academic issues involve complex processes, procedures, and negotiations, things lawyers do particularly well. And Joseph D. Lento isn't just any lawyer. He specializes in student cases. He's helped hundreds of other students get their academic careers back on track. What can he do for you?
Academic Progression Requirements at Columbia University
Steady progress means remaining in “good” academic standing. Columbia University isn't a single entity but rather 20 different schools, including four undergraduate and 16 graduate schools. All of these publish clear guidelines as to what constitutes good academic standing.
For instance, at Columbia College, which is focused on humanities, arts, and social sciences, students must complete at least 12 credit hours each semester and maintain a semester and cumulative grade points of at least 2.0. The engineering school adds to this, certain course requirements in the first year and restrictions against receiving a D, F, UW, or Incomplete in any first-year, sophomore, or major courses.
Should you fail to meet these standards, you are placed on Academic Probation for the following semester. Should you continue to struggle, you are subject to a one-year suspension which is noted on your transcript. And, should you falter upon your return, you can be dismissed from Columbia altogether.
Decision Processes
Each school at Columbia University has its own Committee on Academic Standing, which reviews student progress after each semester and assigns sanctions as necessary.
For the most part, decisions are a matter of numbers—either your GPA is high enough, or it isn't. Further, the university makes clear: “Students may not appeal the actions of academic warning or probation.” However, that doesn't mean there aren't ways to avoid probation. Faculty can and do make mistakes, for instance, and sometimes raising your GPA is simply a matter of getting a professor to recalculate the numbers. In other cases, you may be able to convince an instructor to reevaluate your scores or give you an Incomplete while you finish makeup or extra credit assignments.
In addition, you do have the right to appeal suspension and dismissal decisions. Appeals are typically based on extenuating circumstances that may have hindered your academic progress and require both a written statement and documentary evidence to support your claims.
Whatever you're particular situation, Joseph D. Lento knows how best to proceed. He's familiar with Columbia University's procedures and adept at both in-person and written negotiation. He can not only offer advice on which approaches will work the best in your situation, but he can coach you on talking to faculty or putting together an appeals package.
SAP Standards
If you receive financial aid at Columbia University, you are subject to an additional set of academic standards. The federal government requires all schools to develop an SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) policy. This ensures no one can become a permanent student and simply live indefinitely on federal monies.
Columbia's SAP policy is enforced by the Student Financial Services (SFS) office, though standards vary based on individual schools. Assessments occur at the end of the spring semester each year.
In order to receive financial aid, Columbia College and the school of engineering students must meet three criteria.
- Achieve at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of each year
- Complete at least 67 percent of all courses attempted
- Complete their degree within eight semesters
Failure to meet these criteria means financial aid probation. During financial aid probation, you do not receive aid, and you are reevaluated at the end of each semester rather than just at the end of each year. You can become eligible for aid again, though, simply by getting into compliance with SAP standards.
In addition, you can appeal a probation designation if you believe extenuating circumstances have kept you from making satisfactory progress at Columbia. This requires documenting your situation and submitting an Academic Plan that explains how you will improve as a student.
Losing financial aid isn't the same as being dismissed from the university. Even if you aren't meeting SAP requirements, you can still finish your degree at Columbia. However, many students struggle to finish their degrees once they've lost their scholarships, grants, and loans. As with issues of standing, financial aid issues can be tricky, and with so much at stake, you don't want to take them on by yourself. If you've received a letter telling you you're ineligible for aid, or if you think there's a possibility you might receive such a letter, contact Joseph D. Lento immediately to find out how he can help.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor
Students sometimes feel they are on their own once they enroll in college, and if they find themselves in trouble—especially academic trouble—there's just no help out there for them. They simply accept probation, suspension, dismissal, or the loss of financial aid without putting up a fight.
The fact is, there are ways to deal with these issues. A bad semester doesn't have to mean the end of your academic career. Joseph D. Lento has represented hundreds of students just like you in academic progress cases. He knows the processes, and he can offer suggestions for how to use them to your advantage. If you or your child is facing dismissal, or even if you have already been dismissed, you owe it to yourself to learn about what options might be available to you. To find out more, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
