It's like that old joke: how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. The same thing's true of getting your degree. In the beginning, it seems like an impossible task. You can do it, though, one course, one semester, one year at a time.
Sometimes that's easier said than done, though. You're going to encounter roadblocks along the way. There will be that one 8 AM class that you can't avoid, but that you just can't seem to get up on time for either. There will be days or weeks when you're sick, or depressed, or just uninspired. There will be that subject you can't seem to wrap your brain around, like differential equations or English Romantic Poetry.
National Student Defense Attorney-Advisor, Joseph D. Lento can help. You might well ask, what can a lawyer do for you? You're not on trial for tax evasion; you're trying to pass calculus. Here's the thing, though: most issues at university are less about performance and more about process and procedure. Who knows more about process and procedure than an attorney? Joseph D. Lento can't take your classes for you. If you're struggling with academic progression issues, though, you may find he's able to help in ways you hadn't considered.
Academic Progression Requirements at the University of Michigan
Moving forward at UM is primarily about remaining in “good academic standing.” Basically, that comes down to one thing: your GPA. The University of Michigan expects you to earn at least a 2.0 GPA every term. Some colleges and schools, such as the Ross School of Business, require a 2.5.
What happens if you should fall below this number? Your specific school or college will place you on Academic Probation. Basically, you have one semester to get your grades up to standards. What happens if you can't? The situation becomes more serious: typically, you're dismissed from the university altogether.
Different schools and colleges at MSU treat probation and dismissal differently. The largest college—the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA)—dismisses students who don't improve after a semester on probation. However, the LSA allows you to petition for readmission after a year. That is, “dismissal” really means a period of “suspension.” However, to be readmitted, you must complete at least two college courses at another institution during that year, and you must earn at least a B in both.
The Stamps School of Arts and Design will give you an additional semester of probation if you are showing signs of improvement, even if you haven't quite reached the grade point cutoff. As in the LSA, you can be “suspended” for up to a year. However, the terminology is different. If you are “dismissed” from Stamps, that dismissal is permanent.
Decision Processes at the University of Michigan
Facing Academic Probation, Suspension, or Dismissal at UM is usually a matter of numbers. That is, either you attain the minimum GPA each semester, or you don't.
This doesn't necessarily mean you don't have options. Faculty can and do make mistakes, for instance, and sometimes raising your GPA is simply a matter of asking an instructor to re-calculate their numbers. In other cases, a professor may be willing to re-evaluate your semester work or issue you an Incomplete while you finish extra credit or makeup assignments.
Additionally, most MSU colleges and schools will allow you to apply for reinstatement if you've been suspended. This usually means going through a formal process of submitting a written petition as well as a description of what you did while you were away from the school. Often, a program will require you to complete certain requirements as well, such as taking courses or participating in volunteer work. Readmission is never guaranteed, but must be approved by a governing board, such as the LSA's Academic Standards Board.
Joseph D. Lento is familiar with all the programs at the University of Michigan and knows which options will work best in your given circumstances. If you need to negotiate with faculty, he can help you prepare and practice. If, on the other hand, you need to put together an appeals package, he can help you collect evidence and draft documents.
SAP Standards
If you receive financial aid, you probably already know there's another set of academic standards you must meet. The federal government mandates that all colleges and universities maintain a Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, policy. Such policies ensure no one can abuse the federal financial aid system.
The University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid reviews records after each semester, looking specifically at three criteria.
- Students have not taken more than 150 percent of the credits necessary to complete their degree program. Most programs require 120 credits, meaning students can't take more than 180 credits and still receive federal aid.
- Students have completed at least 67 percent of all the courses they've attempted. Obviously, Fs count against this percentage. So, too, do Withdrawals and Incompletes count against it until they are resolved.
- Students have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
You can appeal the loss of financial aid. Approval is based on extenuating factors that might have affected your failure to meet requirements. However, any future deficiencies mean the permanent loss of aid.
As the Office of Financial notes, you can continue as a student at MSU even if you have lost your financial aid. However, most students find it difficult to finish their degrees if they lose funding. If you're worried about losing your funding, or if you've already been told you're ineligible, it's important to contact Joseph D. Lento right away. He may be able to help, but SAP decisions are frequently time-sensitive.
Premier Education Attorney-Advisor
Many students feel they are on their own once they enroll in college. If they find themselves in trouble—especially academic trouble—they just assume they have to handle it by themselves. They don't know how to go about fighting the system, though. They're overwhelmed by bureaucracy, and in the end they wind up simply accepting probation, suspension, dismissal, or the loss of financial aid, even when they may have better options.
The fact is, there are many ways to deal with academic issues. A bad semester doesn't have to mean the end of your career at the University of Michigan. 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 Student Defense Team today, at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
