Frequently Asked Questions
Costs and Financial Assistance Residence Life Services for a Student’s Well-being
What does it mean to be in “good academic standing”?To be in good standing as a freshman a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 1.80 or higher. After becoming a sophomore (27 hours +), a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Students who fall below this will be placed on academic probation.
Back to topHow are students graded?Letter grades are given to all students except in a Credit/No Credit class. The grades are assigned based on the following system:
- A-Excellent
- B-Good
- C-Acceptable
- D-Poor/Still Passing
- F-Failure
Students may choose to withdraw from a course during the semester resulting in a “W” on their transcript for that class. A student may also receive an Incomplete (I) if course requirements are not fulfilled.
Back to topHow are grades received?Grades are mailed from the Registration and Records Office to the student’s permanent address at the conclusion of each semester.
Back to topHow do you figure out a Grade Point Average (GPA)?Grading is based on a 4.0-point system with each grade being worth a specified amount (A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point, F=0 points).
A GPA is calculated by multiplying the number of semester hours for a course by the grade received in that course. Then you add each class’s points and divide the total by the number of semester hours attempted.
Example: You have taken four 3-hour classes for a total of 12 semester hours and have received the following grades: A, C, B, and F.
Calculation: (4 x 3) + (2 x 3) + (3 x 3) + (0 x 3) = 27 grade points 27 (grade points) divided by 12 (number of semester hours taken) = 2.25 GPA
Back to topWhat happens if a GPA falls below 2.0?Academic Warning – If a semester grade point average falls below a 2.0, but the cumulative grade point average is at 2.0, your student will receive an academic warning from the registrar. This is to alert him to difficulties in the future if he doesn’t get his grades up!
Academic Probation – If the cumulative grade point average is below 1.8 during freshman year (or if your student has fewer than 27 hours) or below 2.0 during sophomore, junior or senior year, your student will be placed on academic probation. He MUST earn a higher grade point average in his next semester than when he was placed on probation and he must reach good standing after his second consecutive semester on probation or he will be suspended. Once his grade point average reaches 2.0 (or 1.8 for freshmen) he will be off probation.
Academic Suspension – If the student is already on probation and his cumulative gpa does not improve, he will be suspended. He can also be suspended if he does not achieve good standing after two consecutive semesters on probation. The first suspension lasts for one semester and a second suspension is for one year.
Academic Dismissal – If your student receives a third suspension he will be academically dismissed from the university and will not be eligible to return to Texas Lutheran.
Back to topHow can one appeal? - Suspended students may appeal to the Admissions, Advising and Academic Standards (AAA) Committee, whose decisions are final.
- The appeal should detail the reasons why the circumstances of this case warrant special consideration.
- The appeal must be filed no later than two weeks before registration for the next semester.
- If the appeal is denied, one semester must pass before a student may apply for readmission after the first suspension. If it is the student’s second suspension, one year must pass before they may reapply.
Back to topIs there a policy on academic honesty and plagiarism?Students must not cheat or plagiarize nor condone or assist others who may. Students are responsible for doing their own work, thereby insuring the integrity of their academic records.
Violations of academic honesty involve: - Academic penalties for cheating are imposed by the instructor. If the student disputes any instance of failing due to academic dishonesty, whether it is for a grade on a single assignment or a course grade, he/she may file an appeal with the Admissions, Academic Standards, and Advising Committee (AAA).
- The classroom professor is to report the incident to the Dean of Student’s Office to be put in the student’s disciplinary file.
Students who accrue three incidents of cheating are charged automatically with breaking the code of conduct and the incident is viewed as a disciplinary violation.
Back to topAre students assigned an academic advisor?Yes! Initially upon registration an academic advisor will be assigned to each new student. The primary purpose of academic advising is to help students develop educational and life goals. An academic advisor will help students explore major fields of interest, construct long and short-term educational goals, navigate university policies and procedures, and plan semester courses at registration.
Back to topWho are the academic advisors?At TLU, all academic advisors are full-time faculty. Freshmen advisors are assigned to help students adjust academically at TLU. Once the student is ready to declare a major, he or she can switch advisors to a faculty member within the department of his or her chosen major.
Back to topWhen should a student see an academic advisor?A student should see his or her advisor when he or she:
- is off-track for his or her major
- has a question about degree requirements
- is receiving a D (or lower) in a class
- is planning classes for next term
- wants advice about his or her major
- is affected by something happening outside of school that is impacting his or her ability to study
- needs to find a tutor or get help with study skills
Back to topWill someone let me know periodically if my student is having trouble in class? If not, is there anything I can do?There is no automatic notification to parents about a student’s academic difficulties. Federal law mandates that academic information about a student be kept confidential unless otherwise directed by the student. It is the student’s responsibility to speak with his or her instructor if he or she is having problems in class. We encourage parents to communicate and inquire periodically with their student to stay informed about his or her academic status.
Back to topHow many credit hours should my student take each semester?Most students enroll for a total of 12-16 credit hours. The general recommendation from faculty members is to spend two hours of reading/study time outside of class for each hour of class time. If a student is working or has other commitments, the total time required to be successful in a class should be considered when deciding each semester’s credit-hour load.
Back to topWhat exactly is a credit hour?Every TLU course contributes a certain number of credit hours to a student’s academic record. The number of credits for a course is related to the number of hours spent in class each week. Students normally take four to six classes each semester, and generally, each class is worth three credit hours. Courses with laboratories or other additional learning components may be worth more credits.
Back to topHow is a student defined by class year?Freshman 0-26 hours
Sophomore 27-59 hours
Junior 60-89 hours
Senior 90+ hours
Back to topHow many credit hours are required for graduation?All degrees offered at TLU require a minimum of 124 hours for graduation. The academic schedule should be planned accordingly if a student plans to graduate in four years.
Back to topWho has access to a student’s university records?Policies and procedures concerning student records are set forth in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). FERPA rights belong to the student. Information from academic, disciplinary, medical, and counseling files is not made available to parents without consent of the student involved, except under legal compulsion or where the safety of other persons is involved.
Back to topIf I a parent is paying for their son or daughter’s college, don’t they have the right to access his or her records?TLU, like all institutions that receive federal funding, must comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. That legislation guarantees college students over the age of 18 the right of privacy when it comes to matters of their individual university records. It is because of FERPA (also known as the Buckley Amendment) that TLU sends all official mailings, including grade reports, directly to students at their permanent address.
Although giving students first access to university records is difficult for some parents to accept, especially when they are paying the college bills, there should be few instances when students and parents are not able to share information if good communication is in place.
TLU policy does permit parents of students who are still claimed as IRS dependents to request directly from the university, on an individual basis, information that is considered part of a student’s educational record (grades, class rank, etc.). This request must be made in the Registrar’s Office each time information is sought. Parents may not, however, have access to counseling, legal, disciplinary, or medical records without a signed Release of Information form from their son or daughter.
Back to topWhat types of degrees does TLU offer?Texas Lutheran offers four degrees: the bachelor of arts, the bachelor of science, the bachelor of music, and the bachelor of business administration (students majoring in accounting complete a bachelor of science degree concurrently with a bachelor of business administration degree).
Back to topHow does a student graduate with honors?To be recognized as an honor graduate, you must achieve the following cumulative grade point average:
Honor Categories Cumulative Grade Point Average
Cum Laude 3.50-3.74
Magna Cum Laude 3.75-3.89
Summa Cum Laude 3.90 - 4.00
Back to topWhat do students need to do to graduate? - Declare a major by the beginning of their junior year.
- File a degree plan with the registrar’s office by the time they have completed 60 hours of credit. (The degree plan must be approved and signed by the academic advisor, department chair and the registrar.)
- If they change the degree plan after it is already on file, a substitution form must be filed or a new degree plan submitted.
- They must fill out a Degree Application Form in the registrar’s office no later than 60 days before the end of the semester in which they wish to graduate.
- It is THEIR responsibility to fulfill all the degree requirements for the degree as outlined in the university catalog under which they are graduating.
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Costs and Financial Assistance
What payment options are available?Students are assessed charges each semester for tuition and fees and for the housing and/or meal plan they select. Payment for these charges may be made by one of the following two methods:
Option I: Payment in Full – Full payment may be made in advance of, or at the time of, registration confirmation. After total financial aid is subtracted from the charges, any remaining balance must be paid out-of-pocket if this option is selected.
Option II: Monthly Payment Plan – Payment of net balance after all proceeds from financial aid have been applied may be made in four installments per semester as outlined below:
| | Percent of Net | Due Date
|
| | Semester Balance | Fall | Spring |
Payment 1
| 40% | Aug. 1 | Jan. 3 |
Payment 2
| 20% | Sept. 15 | Feb. 15 |
Payment 3
| 20% | Oct. 15 | March 15 |
| Payment 4 | 20% | Nov. 15 | April 15 |
A service charge of $20 is assessed each semester for participation in this monthly payment plan. Both plans are subject to one percent (1%) monthly interest (12% APR) on the unpaid balance. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.
Back to topWho should I call with questions regarding my student’s account?Parents or students with questions regarding their accounts or billing processes and procedures should contact the manager of student accounts in the TLU Business Office at 830-372-8010.
Back to topWhat kind of financial aid and scholarships does TLU have?The majority (95 percent!) of TLU students receive some form of financial assistance, with an average financial aid package of about $12,500. Scholarships, grants, loans, and employment opportunities enable TLU to recognize outstanding students regardless of financial need and assist those whose own limited resources would preclude their participation in the Texas Lutheran experience. TLU awards scholarship aid to students enrolled full time, defined as 12 semester hours or more. Students who withdraw from the university during a semester, as will graduating seniors who need fewer than 12 hours to complete their degrees, may lose all institutional aid for that semester. Financial aid will not exceed the direct costs of TLU tuition. Students who are enrolled at least half time may be eligible for need-based state and federal aid.
Back to topHow often does a student need to apply for financial assistance?Students must apply every year for financial aid. Students who receive financial aid must also certify that they will not engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances.
Back to topWhat does one need to do to apply for financial assistance?To be considered for any form of need-based financial aid (loan, grant, employment) a student must complete the FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid - or file online at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. The financial aid office puts together a “package” of financial aid that may include federal, state and institutional funds. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for financial assistance of any kind. Specific questions concerning all forms of financial assistance should be addressed to the enrollment services office located on the first floor of the Beck Center 830-372-8078.
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Residence Life
What is the on-campus living requirement?In support of the educational mission of TLU, all newly admitted, full-time students are required to live in university housing unless they meet at least one of the following criteria:
- They are 21 years of age or older at the beginning of the fall academic semester.
- They are married.
- They have achieved senior status at the beginning of the fall academic semester.
- They are commuting within a 50-mile radius from their parents’ or guardians’ home.
Full-time students who begin the academic year in residence on campus commit themselves to a full academic year of residence in university housing. Exceptions will be allowed for marriage, graduation, withdrawal, student teaching, studying abroad, or dropping to part-time status. Requests for exceptions are to be addressed to the director of residence life.
Back to topWhy is there an on-campus living requirement?TLU policy supports retention research demonstrating that students who reside on campus are better able to form an important link with peers and faculty in the social and academic areas. Furthermore, evidence suggests that residential students earn higher grades and are more involved in the campus community than their non-residential counterparts. Living on campus also has many additional benefits including: convenient access to classrooms, computer labs, library, and recreational facilities; programs and activities specially designed for on-campus residents; and residence life staff to assist students with their transitional needs.
Back to topWho is the Residence Life Staff?Each residential area is staffed by an area coordinator (AC) who is a professional staff member responsible for supervision of resident assistants, oversight of hall functions, activities and administrative duties, and providing advice and adjudication of disciplinary matters when necessary.
AC’s are live-in staff and are on call 24 hours a day in order to respond to emergencies if necessary. Well-qualified, returning students are employed as both resident assistants (RAs), who live in each wing of the residence halls, and apartment managers, who live in the various apartment complexes. All of these members of the residence life staff, in addition to the director of residence life, are available to you for questions, counsel, support, and assistance.
Back to topWhat services are available? - E-mail Service – TLU provides each student with an e-mail address. The university also has in-room Internet service available. For information call the office of information technology (830-372-6000).
- Laundry Facilities – Card-operated washers and dryers are available in each area. Cards may be purchased in the Alumni Student Center and can be recharged at the student’s convenience (up to $30 maximum).
- Mail Service – Each on-campus resident is automatically assigned a campus mailbox. The campus post office is located in the Alumni Student Center. Mail simply needs to be addressed to the student at Texas Lutheran University, 1000 W. Court St., Seguin, Texas 78155.
- Cable TV Service – Basic cable television service is provided in each room or living area.
- Telephone Service – Each room has a telephone jack that is linked to the university telecommunication system. TLU provides local service and voicemail; students pay for their long distance charges with a personal security code (PSC) or personal calling card.
Back to topWhat about safety issues and concerns?Residence Life provides several programs and services to maximize safety measures used in all residence halls. All exterior doors are locked 24 hours a day, and residents can only gain access to their residential area with their student ID card. The university police work closely with residence hall staff by patrolling residence halls, parking lots and other buildings, as well as providing a 24-hour police escort program.
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Services for a Student’s Well-being
What if a student becomes ill?The TLU Health Center is open from 8 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is staffed by a registered nurse, and twice a week a local doctor is in the Health Center to see students. If a student needs to see the doctor and he is not on campus, the nurse will make an appointment for the student at the doctor’s office in Seguin. For an emergency situation, Guadalupe Valley Hospital in Seguin has a 24-hour emergency room, and EMS responds quickly to any emergency situation.
Back to topAre there counseling services available?The university maintains a team approach to care and counseling. The student life staff, the campus nurse, and the dean of student life and learning are available for care and conversation; the campus pastor offers pastoral care; and a licensed professional counselor provides confidential individual psychotherapy. Students also may be referred to other sources for specific counseling needs.
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