It really is just like your parents and teachers have told you—your future is in your hands. You made it into Stephen F. Austin, and now you have a chance to become exactly who you've always wanted to be, but that future isn't a given. You have to get yourself to class every day. You have to start papers when they're assigned and study for exams well in advance.
Here's something your parents and teachers didn't tell you, though—college success isn't just about papers and exams. You also have to learn how to navigate the SFA system. You have to know who to contact if you think you might have ADD. You have to know where to go if you just can't seem to get along with your economics professor. You have to know how to explain that you need to miss class because your support animal passed away over the weekend.
You're not on your own when it comes to studying. You've got professors to help you, study groups, tutors, and the writing center. You're not alone when it comes to dealing with SFA bureaucracy, either. The Lento Law Firm is always on your side, whatever problem you may be facing. Our Education Law Team always knows who to contact, what to say, and how to say it. We also know quite a few tips and tricks for keeping your GPA up.
If you're struggling to meet SFA's academic standing requirements, if studying just isn't enough, the Lento Law Firm can help. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Stephen F. Austin State University
Many of our clients don't realize SFA has academic standards until they wind up in trouble. College isn't like high school, though. If you can't keep your GPA up, you face sanctions. You can even find yourself suspended.
Here's what SFA's academic standing policy has to say.
- Good Standing: You begin your career at SFA in good standing. You remain in good standing by keeping your cumulative grade point average at 2.0 or above. As long as you do that, you're making steady progress towards your degree.
- Academic Probation: Should your cumulative GPA fall below that 2.0 number, SFA places you on academic probation. You may have extra requirements on probation, like study skills webinars or advisor meetings. Your primary focus, though, should be on returning to good standing. The good news is that you can take as long as you need to do that, provided you keep your term GPA above 2.0.
- Academic Suspension: If your term GPA falls below 2.0 while you're on probation, SFA then suspends you. You can return to the university, but you must fulfill certain obligations before you do so:
- You can sit out for a semester or, if you're facing a second or third suspension, a year. You then return on academic probation.
- After a first suspension, you may take summer courses. If you can raise your cumulative GPA back to 2.0 in that timeframe, you can return in the fall. Alternatively, you can earn a 2.0 GPA for nine summer hours and return in the fall.
- In some rare cases, your college dean may assign special conditions that may allow for immediate reinstatement following a suspension.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Keep in mind that even a semester on suspension can put your degree in jeopardy. Once you've been away from college, it can be difficult to resume your studies, and many students never manage to finish school. If you have already reached the point of suspension, the Lento Law Firm attorney can help you negotiate with SFA for the best possible outcome. We work every day with faculty and administrators, and often, we can convince them to let you remain enrolled rather than face a suspension.
The easier path, though, is to avoid suspension in the first place. It turns out we know how to use the system to do this as well.
- If you've experienced extenuating circumstances recently, you can use those as leverage to earn additional time on probation. The Lento Law Firm attorney can help you contact your college dean and tell you exactly what you should say.
- You may occasionally encounter instructors who refuse to treat you fairly. When you do, you should report them immediately to their department heads. This can result in an immediate fix. At a minimum, though, it will create a paper trail that you can use to file a formal grade appeal after the semester is over.
- If you consistently struggle to pass courses, you might be dealing with a learning disability. The Lento Law Firm attorney can help you get tested. A disability may entitle you to course accommodations, like extra time to complete assignments. You can also petition SFA to drop low grades from your GPA.
- Instructors have enormous authority in the classroom. If they suspect you are cheating or plagiarizing, they can lower your grades. In fact, they can even fail you outright. However, you have the right to appeal their decisions.
- Some faculty are willing to assign makeup and extra credit assignments. They can say no, but it never hurts to ask, and usually, enough will say yes to keep your GPA out of the danger zone.
- You can also try negotiating with faculty on other grounds. The Lento Law Firm can help you come up with ideas and coach you on how to negotiate.
The first thing the Lento Law Firm attorney will do when you contact us is sit down with you and go over your academic situation. No two students are dealing with the same issues. We'll work with you to come up with solutions that are tailored to your specific issues. We'll also work with you to implement those solutions. We'll stand beside you until you're back on your academic feet and thriving.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your SFA diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, 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 progress 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.
