<p>To keep a long story short, I have a full ride to college for four years as long as I maintain a 3.50. My freshman year I did very well- ending with a 3.87 and taking very advanced classes- but last year (sophomore year) my grades dipped and second semester I came out with a 3.47. I was going through very personal and difficult issues and successfully appealed with my story (I found out about a parent's affair, had to keep it from another, I'm the oldest child of many... battled depression/anxiety) and a doctor's note stating I was on psychoactive drugs. This semester, I should achieve above a 3.50, but it's likely not going to be enough to pull my cumulative to where it needs to be.</p>
<p>I am a double major and have had senior standing since last year, and I work in a research lab for credit/no credit and am about to embark on independent study for my history major as well. I think it's pretty clear I'm not lazy, and I certainly don't party. I'm legitimately having the same issues as last year, and in addition my my roomie's sibling died which has definitely had an enormous impact on me.</p>
<p>Basically, while I'm improving (I got under a 3.0 last semester...) I'm terrified it won't be enough. I already had to withdraw from a course this semester because I was so concerned. Our financial aid policy seems so tough- I didn't have a semester of probation, the second my cGPA dipped I had to appeal. Has anyone been in a similar situation where they've appealed twice? What do my chances look like? And, any advice on who I should talk to- an adviser, the office, etc? My other concern is my parents finding out, because the one clearly won't understand and the other I can't fully explain it to without betraying the first (see: issues). I really need this. Thank you in advance for the help and sorry for the lengthy post.</p>
<p>“I came out with a 3.47.”
relax- a 3.47 rounded up is 3.5. Last year you hit what is commonly called “sophomore slump”., but you had some additional mitigating circumstances that only made it harder. Perhaps trying to do a double major is just too much for you? maybe a minor in one of those subjects might be more manageable and would cause less stress? I would advise you talk to your adviser about your concern of losing your scholarshis and see what they say. and perhaps you should talk to someone in the FA office office too. I’m sure your college is NOT interested in losing a top student such as yourself.</p>
<p>I really appreciate the response! This has been stressing me out so much, it’s wonderful to have someone help.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, they round two decimal places- which is, to me, a little ridiculous. I’m a chem (average GPA is lower than mine!) and history major, and the problem is I’ve come too far in chemistry to quit (my parents would never approve, either) and history (which I have a 4.0 in) is what I actually want to pursue further, so I have to finish it. I will definitely speak to my adviser- I don’t know her well but I think it’s my best option at this point. I’ll also try to speak with someone in the FA office; I had to appeal using documentation and a letter, I never spoke to anyone in person (my school is mid-sized) but I’m going to try. I’m just scared that the financial aid office won’t give me another chance after already giving me one, and my school is as expensive as public schools get.</p>
<p>At my my daughter’s school scholarship GPA requirements are bases on actual GPA and they do not round up the GPA. At her school a 3.47 would not round up to a 3.5 for keeping a scholarship.</p>
<p>Is your scholarship based on semester? Or do you have to the end of the school year? If so, I would suggest talking to your adviser and selecting classes very carefully to try and help keep your GPA up. As you do so well in history, perhaps you can take more history than chem for the semester in order to give your GPA a boost?</p>
<p>Hi swimcatsmom- it’s by semester, that’s the problem. I can have it up easily by the end of next semester- I’ve already made a lot of progress. It’s not that I can’t do it, and next semester will be different because I have a better balance of courses. I just need one more semester to finish raising it.</p>
<p>“I’m just scared that the financial aid office won’t give me another chance after already giving me one”
You mean that the “first chance” was when you were originally awarded the scholarship?
Do you best from here on out . lighten your course load as swimcatsmom advised, if at all possible.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I mean when I appealed for the scholarship to have it this semester. This will be the second time I will have to appeal to keep my scholarship, though my semester GPA will be over 3.50… my cumulative just won’t quite be.</p>
<p>"though my semester GPA will be over 3.50… my cumulative just won’t quite be. "
by what ? a 10th of a %? Again, I really don’t think they will take away a scholarship from a hard working senior. Just keep your focus, take somewhat easier classes if you can, and push on.
But this should be a lesson for others looking for scholarships- It is very difficult to maintain a 3.50 GPA in college, especially for some STEM majors. Students should think more than twice before accepting scholarship $$ under such difficult parameters.</p>
<p>I agree, menloparkmom. No matter how intelligent or driven you are, some things do happen that are beyond your control. Most schools give you a semester to a year on probation before taking away a scholarship, and most I’ve heard of only require you to keep a 3.2. As much as I appreciate this opportunity to attend college for free, I often feel I would have been happier somewhere else that had offered me comparable money for with lower stress involved. College has not been fun for me; I’ve been concerned with keeping myself financially afloat for the last year.</p>
<p>That being said, yes, my cumulative certainly won’t be lower than a 3.48, VERY worst case scenario, and probably a 3.49 at best. I’m praying that this is enough, but with the way they automatically took it away with last summer and the nature of the appeal (involving no human contact), I’m just afraid it won’t be. I think I’ll talk to the Honors Program adviser tomorrow, I don’t know her but it’s a good place to start until financial aid gets back to me about a meeting.</p>
<p>I think the Op is a junior not a senior. Unfortunately, the school is free to set policies as they see fit when it comes to their own money. </p>
<p>If the requirement to keep the scholarship is a 3.5, it is highly unlikely that they will round up because it then comes down splitting hairs among other students in the same situation. </p>
<p>Personally, I agree with Menloparkmom that it is a very onerous gpa requirement that it does not take into consideration that some students do have majors where it is harder to maintain the gpa.</p>
<p>Student stated that they have already appealed and kept the scholarship. It is a very stressful situation. However, I do not understand how your parents are taking a position that they don’t approve of the major and they are not paying for the education. If you stick with the major that they approve of and lose the scholarship, are they willing to make up the difference? You need to have more balance in your program and get yourself out of this stressful situation.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if you can arrange to do some extra credit work in one class and by doing that boost your grade enough to push you over the 3.5 cumulative threshold? A frank discussion with a professor who already likes your work may get you a sympathetic response.</p>
<p>Yes, I second that. go talk to each professor and explain your situation and how your scholarship will depend on this small percentage. Hopefully they know you and your work ethic and can help out.</p>
<p>Please, please listen to this advice…lighten your work load… a 3.5 is hard to keep without stressing yourself out. Your scholarship is not worth losing.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the help. I just wanted to tell you all that I met with a scholarship adviser and apparently my scholarship was renewed for the entire YEAR- so I have next semester to finish getting my cGPA, which with the classes I’ll be taking should be no problem. Our financial aid office is very accessible, but their communication and information available outside of the office is abysmal. I would have never got answers if I didn’t go in. Thank you all so much for the help, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and all of your advice has been so helpful/will be heeded.</p>