There should be a GPA standard for student loan recipients because it keeps students in mind that they are not receiving “play” money; they are receiving money to help them pay for a higher education, and students should take it seriously. I’m currently a junior at UTC with an overall GPA of 2.9. I currently have the direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans and will need more by Fall 2012 when my dad’s military benefits run out. UTC requires all students to earn (pass) a cumulative 67% of all credit hours attempted to remain eligible for financial aid and must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be eligible for financial aid.
It is necessary for institutions to have a GPA requirement for financial aid because it shows the students that this money they are receiving is to help them further their education, not just play money that they can waste. Keeping in mind the difficulty of different institutions and majors, generally a 2.0 GPA is not hard to maintain by majority of students. So metaphorically speaking there is not GPA requirement because most students remain at or above the minimum requirement whether they’re working hard or slacking off occasionally.
Though for those few who do fall under a 2.0 should receive a forgiveness stage where they have at least a semester to bring up their grades before terminating their financial aid. It’s important to understand that some students go through life crises during college. Some may experience a close death, depression, home sickness, loneliness, and many other obstacles that can knock their focus off schoolwork. That doesn’t mean they should have agony appended on top of their crises by them not being able to afford a higher education.
If a student does fall under a 2.0 GPA and does not bring it up within a forgiveness period then they should have their financial aid suspended because the money for their education goes to waste. Students who are below a 2.0 GPA won’t have good job opportunities, albeit GPA scores are not a top priority for most employers, but employers do want to hire someone who can prove they had a decent education. A GPA below 2.0 shows that student learned nothing and didn’t try much either.
Therefore, a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 is not pressure on the students because majority maintains a 2.0 and higher. For those who do have an “off” semester should receive a grace period to bring up their GPA to the minimum require, but after one grace period they should not be allow to drop below the minimum again. Otherwise, they will take advantage of grace periods and not appreciate the money they are receiving.