STARS
Student Tracking Alert Retention System
Keys to Academic Success
Module 2
YOU ARE TAKING THE FIRST STEP BY COMPLETING THE
STARS PROGRAM.
A STUDENT WHO FAILS TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM 2.0 UCF
GPA WILL HAVE A HOLD ON THEIR ACCOUNT AND WILL BE
PLACED ON ACADEMIC PROBATION.
STUDENTS WILL NEED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
WITH AN ADVISOR AND COMPLETE THE STARS PROGRAM.
• Academic probation is serious. A student
must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA in order to be
in good academic standing.
• Probation alerts students who are in
academic danger. Student should see an
academic advisor for helpful resources and to
avoid disqualification.
Understanding GPA
• There are different GPAs on
your audit.
The overall GPA
Calculated with grades from all college
courses completed
Upper Level UCF GPA
Calculated with grades from all 3000 and 4000-level
coursework completed
UCF Cumulative GPA
Calculated with grades from all UCF coursework
Program GPA
Program GPA
Calculated with grades earned from the
courses taken within the major
Will have an academic hold placed in their Student Center on My UCF and
will not be allowed to be enroll in courses until they meet with an advisor
Should contact an academic advisor at the appropriate Regional Campus
location
Must earn a 2.0 GPA each semester until the UCF GPA is a least 2.0 or higher
to avoid disqualification
Are not able to apply for graduation until their UCF cumulative GPA is 2.0 or
above.
Students must earn a 2.0 GPA in the following semester; however, if the UCF
cumulative GPA is still below a 2.0 GPA, the student will continue on
probation
The student on probation must receive a least a 2.0 semester GPA or may risk
being disqualified
Students must meet with an academic advisor to discuss their progress each
semester
A student on probation who fails to attain a 2.0 GPA in
subsequent term will be disqualified from UCF.
What does this mean for the student?
A disqualified student must sit out from UCF for two consecutive semesters
Readmission to UCF is not guaranteed or automatic
Clear evidence of academic achievement must be shown.
Student must attend another institution and show academic improvement
Student must use a personal statement to explain why they had academic
difficulties and how they plan to achieve a GPA of 2.0 or better at UCF
• Grade Forgiveness offers a student the opportunity
to retake a course and earn a higher grade that will
be substituted for the previous lower grade and thus
raise the GPA.
• Grade forgiveness requests must be submitted no
later than the withdrawal deadline for the term in
which the student has registered for the course being
repeated.
Grade Forgiveness is
limited to two courses
during student’s
academic lifetime
Grade Forgiveness may
not be used twice for
the same course
Grade Forgiveness will
only be awarded if the
original and repeated
course both are taken at
UCF
Must apply for Grade
Forgiveness before the
deadline
• All grades will remain on the student’s official transcript only
• The original grade will always appear on the transcript, but
the repeated course grade will be calculated into the GPA
• If a student applies for Grade Forgiveness and later withdraws
or receives an “I” grade or “NC” grade in the course, the
attempt will count as one of the allotted Grade Forgiveness
attempts
For more information go to
http://parents.sdes.ucf.edu/index.php?p=academicinfo
Go to Student
Self-Service
Student Center
Apply for Grade
Forgiveness
On the next page, type in the code number for the current term (semester). A list of terms can
be found by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. Click on the current term.
On the next page, a list of your currently enrolled classes will appear. Click on the select box
for the course that you are retaking for Grade Forgiveness. A note will appear that lists the
previously taken course, the term previously taken in, and the original grade. If this
information is correct, click on the submit button. You will then receive a message back.
For more information:
http://registrar.sdes.ucf.edu/forms/grade_forgiveness/
1.
2.
Attend your classes. Attendance is linked to your grades and many
instructors will have participation points incorporated into their grading
system
Alter your schedule
a. Take difficult classes in a semester in which you are not on probation.
If you are on probation, it is not a time to take a course that you feel
uncertain about passing. If you are not sure, contact your academic
advisor to review the courses you are planning to take.
b. Decrease your class load. When taking fewer hours, you can
concentrate on classes and focus on earning a higher GPA. If you are
working, depending upon the number of hours you work, keep in mind
that your class load comes with many hours of studying.
Keep the following in mind:
On an average a student should spend about 2 hours
of studying time per every hour of class.
So if a student takes...
12 hrs. class time
+
24 hrs. of studying/preparing time
=
36 hrs. per class per week
Add to this time for resting, sleeping, and extracurricular activities. However, work
responsibilities will complicate the schedule. When your schedule is overloaded, you might feel
more stress and less in control of everything that is happening. Grades are usually what will
suffer.
Add/Drop/Swap Week
•
During the add/drop/swap week consider dropping if a class seems too difficult, and
adding a class that will match your abilities and interests. The add/drop/swap is
during the first week of class. Check your academic calendar for the dates.
Withdrawal
•
Once the semester is on the way and you are not confident that you will pass the
class, consider withdrawing before the withdrawal deadlines. Meet with the
academic advisor to discuss your options. A “W” does not affect your GPA and it is
better than failing the class.
•
Consider withdrawing from all your classes in the semester. Life brings unpredictable
circumstances and if you are not able to continue with your classes, make an
appointment to meet with your academic advisor to discuss your best option.
• Withdrawing from a class may affect your
financial aid or scholarships.
• Check with a Financial Aid Coordinator about
how withdrawing from a class can effect you
Seek out the academic resources that UCF provides for students, such as the
Student Academic Resource Center (SARC), math labs, writing labs, and
tutoring.
Speak with your instructor during his office hours or make an appointment to
meet. This is good practice also to do at least twice a semester. The instructor
can discuss ways of improving your grades
Schedule an appointment to meet with your academic advisor at least once a
semester.