04.13.07 Impact on Merit-based Aid
A student’s institutional merit aid may be reduced if s/he does not maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 by the end of the first year of study, or if s/he is placed on Financial Aid and Academic Warning or Probation.
- 25% reduction of merit aid – Cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 at the end of the first year of study or any subsequent semester.
- 50% reduction of merit aid – Financial Aid and Academic Warning
- 100% reduction of merit aid – Financial Aid and Academic Probation
Reductions of merit aid are reexamined each semester, and if a student does not meet the above standard for a subsequent semester, an additional reduction will be assessed on top of the previous semester’s reduction. As soon as a student’s GPA rises above 3.0 or s/he is able to remove the Financial Aid and Academic Warning/Probation status, some or all of their merit scholarship will be restored for the remainder of their eligible time (see 04.13.10 Scholarship Aid Eligibility).
Appeals must be made in writing no later than 10 business days after the date of the letter of suspension. Students must document their reason for appeal, provide a personal statement documenting how they plan to improve the academic standing in the coming semester, and provide any necessary supporting documents. Acceptable supporting documentation may include:
- A physician’s written statement to substantiate illness or injury
- A written statement from a clergy, family member or other third party who knows the student’s situation
- Newspaper obituaries or death certificates to substantiate deaths
Appeals in which students fail to submit adequate, acceptable, and appropriate documentation, or fail to submit their written appeal within 10 business days, will be denied. Appeals will be assessed and approved on a case-by-case basis by Eastman’s Academic Progress Committee. (updated 1/2017)
