It's not easy meeting academic progress requirements at the University of South Alabama (USA). Courses are tough; instructors are demanding. Plus, you're on your own for the first time, trying to figure out who you are, trying to figure out where you're going, and—maybe most importantly—trying to figure out the USA system. You might be surprised at just how much of a role these outside factors can play in your GPA.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team is committed to your academic success. And while it might strike you odd that attorneys could help you improve your grades, we're actually pretty skilled at it. Like all colleges and universities, the USA is a bureaucracy, and if you know how to navigate it properly, it's a lot easier to succeed in class. Who knows more about handling bureaucracies than lawyers? And, as it turns out, the Lento Law Firm is the best firm in the country for handling academic bureaucracies.
Whatever your situation, we're on your side. Call 888-535-3686 to find out how we can help, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
The SAP Policy at the University of South Alabama
We mentioned “progress requirements.” Just what are those at the University of South Alabama? Like most colleges and universities, the USA maintains an academic standing policy. That policy defines what it means to make steady progress toward your degree. As long as you're making that progress, you're considered to be in "good standing." The policy also sets up a series of consequences you face if you're struggling to meet requirements.
Here are the basics of the system.
- Good Standing: Ideally, this is where you want to stay over your time in the USA. To do that, you need to keep your cumulative grade point average at 2.0 or above.
- Academic Probation: Falling below the 2.0 mark doesn't mean immediate disaster. Instead, the USA places you on academic probation. As part of probation, the university puts a hold on your registration, and you must visit with an advisor and map out a strategy for improvement before you can register. However, your most important job while on probation is to return to good standing.
- Continued Probation: You can remain on probation as long as you need to, provided you meet one of two conditions. Either you must earn at least a 2.0-term GPA, or you must keep your cumulative GPA from falling below a specific number based on how many hours you've completed.
- Between 1 and 42 hours, you need a 1.20 to avoid suspension or dismissal.
- Between 43 and 54 hours, you need a 1.43.
- Between 55 and 66 hours, you need a 1.56.
- Between 67 and 77 hours, you need a 1.64.
- Between 78 and 89 hours, you need a 1.69.
- Between 90 and 102 hours, you need a 1.73.
- Above 103 hours, you need a 1.80.
- Academic Suspension: If, while on probation, you fail to meet one of these two conditions, you then face suspension from the university. Suspensions last for a minimum of one semester. However, your return is automatic.
- Academic Dismissal: When you return following a suspension, you return on probation. A second suspension is treated as a dismissal. You cannot return to the USA for at least a full year, and you must go through the readmission process before you are allowed to return.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have helped hundreds of students file suspension and dismissal readmission petitions. We understand what committees look for in these petitions, and we can help you convince them you'll be successful if you're allowed to return to the university.
We've been helping students for a number of years, though, and during that time, we've learned a number of informal strategies that can help prevent you from reaching the point of suspension and dismissal in the first place. For instance,
- If you feel an instructor is mistreating you in some way, you should report that to your instructor's department head. This can lay the groundwork for filing a grade appeal or an official grievance.
- Some low grades are the result of misconduct allegations. Your instructors have the power to lower your grades if they feel you've cheated on an assignment or committed some form of plagiarism. If you're innocent, however, you can appeal their decisions. Even if you did make a mistake, you are entitled to appeal the severity of the sanction.
- Your grades could be low because you have a learning disability you're unaware of. The university's disability services office offers testing and can help you get course accommodations if you need them. You can also petition the USA to drop low course grades from your GPA. You can then retake those courses without penalty.
- Of course, asking for extra credit or makeup assignments remains a tried and true method of raising your grades. If your instructor is willing to do such assignments, this can be a quick way to get your GPA back on track.
- USA allows you to register for summer classes, even after you've been suspended or dismissed. If you can raise your GPA during the summer, you can avoid having to deal with these sanctions.
- Finally, there is a formal appeals process for any students with extenuating circumstances. If you've been dealing with serious depression or a family crisis, you can ask for additional time on probation rather than suspension or dismissal.
We can't tell you here which one of these or other options will work best in your specific case. Once you contact us, though, we'll sit down with you and talk about what exactly you're dealing with. We'll then come up with a plan and work with you to implement it, whether that involves filing a formal appeal or coaching you in the art of negotiating with faculty.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do For You?
Your University of South Alabama 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—especially those involving the Financial Aid Office—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 and financial aid 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.
