Let's not beat around the bush: college can be tough. It's not just that coursework is rigorous and professors demanding, though that is certainly true. Keeping your GPA up is about more than going to class and studying. It surprises a lot of students, but the truth is that college success is as much about learning how to navigate a college system as it is about learning the Periodic Table.
You need to know who to talk to if you need to miss class to attend a funeral. You need to know how to handle a serious bout of depression if it should suddenly strike. You need to be able to deal with a T.A. who just doesn't seem to like you.
If you're struggling to meet academic progress requirements at Seminole State College of Florida, we can help. No, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can't take your exams for you or write your papers. We're not available for calculus tutoring. What we can do, though, is help you better understand and deal with the bureaucracy of college. We'll get into what that means in a bit. For now, what you need to know is that our Education Law Team is on your side. We're committed to getting college students all the rights they deserve, and we'll do whatever it takes to make sure you succeed at Seminole State.
Also, you can reach us any time by calling 888-535-3686. Or take time now and tell us about your situation.
Academic Progression at Seminole State College of Florida
You may already know this, but in case you don't, Seminole State College can suspend you if your grades fall far enough. The good news is that suspension doesn't happen all at once the first time you struggle in a course. According to the school's academic standing policy, you have an opportunity to improve before you face suspension. Here's how the process works.
- Good Standing: Every student starts off in good standing. Good standing means you're making steady progress towards your degree. It's where you want to be. To remain in good standing, you need to keep both your cumulative and semester grade point averages above 2.0.
- Academic Probation: In some places online, Seminole State uses terms like "academic support" and "academic supervision" to refer to standing for students whose GPAs have fallen below the 2.0 number. Ultimately, though, the registrar's office refers to this state of affairs as "probation." If you're assigned probation, you are required to meet with an advisor and develop an academic plan for moving forward. You can continue on probation provided you are making progress, even if you haven't yet progressed enough to reach good standing. However, if you continue to struggle, you face more serious consequences.
- Academic Suspension: If you cannot recover academically while on probation, Seminole State then suspends you for a period of at least one semester. You must apply for readmission, and your return is not guaranteed. Any further suspensions can be extended periods of time.
Suspension may not sound like the worst thing, and it's true that you can apply for readmission after you've been away from Seminole State for a semester. Even if you are allowed to return, though, it's never easy returning from suspension. Lots of students never do. Plus, while you're serving your suspension, you'll likely have to start repaying any student loans you may have taken out.
Dealing With Academic Standing Decisions
Seminole State offers an immediate appeals process for students who have been suspended. A successful appeal means you can continue at the college for an additional semester on probation. To qualify, you generally need to be able to point to some extenuating circumstances as the cause of your academic deficiencies. You'll also need to make an improvement plan with an advisor. If this is the position you find yourself in, the Lento Law Firm can help. Our attorneys are up-to-date on all of Seminole State's academic policies. We can work with you to gather evidence and draft your appeal.
It's always better to avoid reaching the point of suspension if you possibly can, though. It turns out the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help with this as well. For example,
- If you should discover you have a learning disability—such as ADD or ADHD—you are entitled to course accommodations in at least some of your classes. If you consistently struggle in your courses, your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you get tested. In addition, they can file a petition on your behalf to remove low grades from your transcript. Then, you can retake courses once the appropriate accommodations are in place.
- If any of your low grades have to do with academic misconduct, you have the right to challenge your instructor's decisions. Again, your Lento Law Firm attorney can help you with this process.
- In fact, you always have the right to file a formal grade appeal. You should never suffer mistreatment in the classroom, and if you feel you are being treated unfairly, you should contest that treatment.
- Some faculty are willing to negotiate over grades if you have a good argument to make. For instance, you could try asking a professor to pass you based on improvement, even if your scores don't add up to a passing grade.
- It's even easier to ask an instructor for extra credit or makeup work. The worst they can say is no. If they do offer such opportunities, this can be a quick way to raise your grade and your GPA.
Your Lento Law Firm attorney can explain these and other options to you. In addition, though, they'll talk you through how to make a plan, and they'll work with you to implement that plan, whether that means helping you draft a formal appeal or coaching you in the fine art of negotiating with faculty.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Seminole State College of Florida diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students just like you respond to academic issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
