Lamar State College Port Arthur 2016-17 Catalog | Page 22

Lamar State College Port Arthur 2016-2017 Catalog institution and attempt to resolve the problem. In the event that the two institutions are unable to come to a satisfactory resolution, the receiving institution may notify the Commissioner, who may investigate the course. If its quality is found to be unacceptable, the Board may discontinue funding for the course. “Disputes vs. Problems” Problems that occur during the transfer process will not always be categorized as disputes, and will not follow dispute procedures and guidelines. Problems are clearly within the jurisdiction of the receiving institution. Problems may include, but are not limited to these situations: • A student may lose semester credit hours or have to take additional, lower-level semester credit hours when he or she changes majors. • Students may not decide which upperlevel/senior institution they will attend to complete their degree until after they have completed significant lower-level coursework. Courses taken may not apply or transfer to the institution selected. • A student may take more than 66 lower-level semester credit hours. • A student may have received unsatisfactory grades in lower-level courses. • The student may take vocational, technical, developmental or remedial courses that are not defined as general academic courses. • Compliance with external accrediting agencies, newly enacted legislation, and changes in Texas Education Agency or Coordinating Board regulations may invalidate courses students have already completed. • Students may take more semester credit hours in a course category than will transfer. Examples include activity hours in physical education, choir, band, etc. • Institutions may not accept work that is considered too old. • The student may repeat courses to raise grade point averages. Duplicate credit would not be accepted. Veterans as Students 16, and is an approved institution of higher education for veterans under Public Law Number 346 and Public Law Number 550. Veterans who are interested in continuing their education should secure approval from the Office of Veterans’ Affairs. The LSCPA Financial Aid Office is available to assist veterans in obtaining their educational benefits. The office also provides advice on program and training opportunities, academic assistance, and advising. Veterans that apply to LSCPA are not required to complete an Assessment test before enrolling in classes. However, they are strongly encouraged to take the TSI assessment to help determine the most successful course of action for their education. Academic Record Appeals Students that completed previous coursework at LSCPA and have a lapse in attendance may appeal to disregard previous coursework. Students may appeal to 1) disregard two successive semesters of coursework or 2) academic credits or grades that were earned ten or more years prior to the semester in which enrollment is sought. Previous Coursework After an enrollment lapse of four or more years from Lamar State College Port Arthur, and after completing successfully (2.2 GPA) twenty four (24) semester credit hours of work at the College, a student may petition to disregard a maximum of two entire successive semesters of work taken previously at the College. The written petition must be filed with the Department Chair and follow regular channels to the appropriate Dean for a final decision. Endorsements and/or recommendations shall be required at each academic level. When approved by the registrar, disregarded work shall not count in determining the student’s grade point average for academic progress or for graduation; however, it shall remain on the transcript with an appropriate notation, and it shall be used in determining honors. Once a degree has been conferred, a student may not use the academic appeals procedure for any courses used to award the degree or calculate the cumulative grade point average. Academic “Fresh Start” Lamar State College Port Arthur holds a contract for educating veterans under the Vocational Rehabilitation Law, known as Public Law Number Applicants seeking admission and who have academic credits or grades earned ten (10) or more years prior to the anticipated enrollment may elect Page 21 of 130