The University of Akron Athletics
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Financial Aid Related
I’m an International Student, so do I still have to file a tax return with both the State of Ohio and the Federal U.S. Government?
- YES! You have until April 15th of each year to complete the tax return information and postmark it to the respective location. Failure to do this, will result in a University Hold being placed on your account, which won’t allow you schedule classes in future semesters and will also negate your ability to receive or send your official transcripts from the University of Akron.
I’m an athlete on scholarship, should I still complete a FAFSA each year?
- YES! It should always be completed each year, regardless of your scholarship. It can help you to receive available grants and financial aid throughout the year.
NCAA Certification
How many credits do I need to pass each semester/year?
- 24 credits after the first year of college (Summer before first full year, Fall and Spring semesters of first year, Summer sessions before the start of classes in your second year of college)
- 40% of your total required credits to graduate with your major by the first day of class for your third year of college.
- 60% of your total required credits to graduate with your major by the first day of class for your fourth year of college.
- 80% of your total required credits to graduate with your major by the first day of class for your fifth year of college.
What GPA’s do I need to remain eligible for each year?
- 1.8 overall GPA after your first year of college
- 1.9 overall GPA after your second year of college
- 2.0 overall GPA after your third year of college
- 2.0 overall GPA after your fourth year of college
- 2.0 overall GPA after your fifth year of college
When should I declare my major?
- As a student at the University of Akron, our staff highly encourages you to designate your intended major as soon as possible. By doing this, you will enable all relevant University personnel to properly review your academic information and applications for admission to your intended College within the University of Akron. Although you will be taking a majority of your General Education courses during the first semesters of enrollment, certain degree plans require you to follow a specific plan of courses (starting with your very first semester on campus) and thus we must ensure that you are being properly advised in your class selection. Regardless of your personal timeline, remember that the NCAA Certification process requires you to meet “Progress Towards Degree” and thus if you plan on switching your major after enrolling at the University of Akron, you MUST meet with your respective advisor in order to not only switch the major, but to make certain you will still meet NCAA requirements with your intended new major.
Academic Services
Who should I meet with each semester to schedule my classes?
- Each semester, in the weeks prior to you being able to schedule courses for the next semester, you are required to meet with your respective Academic Advisor here in our Academic Support offices in the Athletic Department (2nd floor of the James A. Rhodes Arena). You should continually engage in communication with various professors and Department personnel within your specific major to build those relationships and help you to receive or schedule future internships or practicum experiences. However, when it comes to the actual scheduling of your courses, you must come to our offices at your designated, scheduled time; the more you are prepared with your desired class schedule, the easier it is for everyone involved.
I’m looking to become more involved on campus and in the Community. How can I best schedule these events or work with the Athletics Department to make these sessions really beneficial for all involved?
- Contact our Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services to provide your request and bring any contact information that you may have available to you already. You can also mention this interest to your respective coach who may help you organize other teammates who share the same interest. Another possible option is available to you as you can become part of the Department of Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a student organization comprised of two representatives from each of our Varsity Athletic programs, which is focused on providing these types of opportunities to the University of Akron’s community. You must be nominated by your respective coaching staff, and thus you should make certain that they are aware of your interest in joining this organization. If you aren’t an official SAAC representative, you can certainly volunteer your services to help reach out to the intended group/community members.
Incoming Freshman
I’m an incoming student-athlete so do I need to take the COMPASS test at an approved testing location before I am allowed to attend my scheduled Orientation day?
- YES! Please make these arrangements at your earliest convenience. You should have received instructions in the mail from the University of Akron’s New Student Orientation office, and all included instructions must be followed. You may contact Dolores Pope (Administration Assistant, Academic Services) at 330-972-7426 or at dpope1@uakron.edu if you have further questions.
For my Orientation session at the University of Akron, who will I be meeting with during the Academic Advising session?
- During your scheduled Orientation session, make certain that you mention that you are future student-athlete at the University of Akron when scheduling your date and when checking-in on that date. Your assigned Orientation guide will lead you over to the Academic Services offices in the Athletic Department (along with any other student-athletes who may be scheduled for your same date). Once you arrive at our offices, our staff will provide you with a full morning schedule complete with Background Information forms, FERPA documents, Learning Assessment material, an Educational PowerPoint outlining our Departmental polices and expectations, Interactive game sessions for the student-athletes, and a Q & A session for parents or guardians to ask our staff members any questions that they may still remain.
I took the ACT/SAT test, but my scores weren’t very high. Will I benefit from taking this test again?
- Each time you can improve your score, it will result in you potentially being able to take higher level courses for your respective English and/or Math courses here at the University of Akron. By starting at a higher level, you may be eligible to take courses that can further progress you in the degree plan for your respective major.
I am currently taking AP courses in high school. Should I take the test at the end of the course?
- If you are able to take the test, it could potentially be a great asset to you once you enroll at the University of Akron. By earning certain scores on the AP test, the University of Akron will accept that score as you having attained the skills associated with that respective level of class. Once the University of Akron receives the official test scores, you can purchase the available bypassed credits for $5 per credit by visiting the University’s Cashier’s office located in Simmons Hall. If you have any further questions related to AP credit, please contact John Lanshe (Assistant Director, Academic Advisement Center) at 330-972- 7425 or at conrad1@uakron.edu.
I am currently taking Post-Secondary courses as a high school student. How can I make sure that the University of Akron receives these grades?
- You may send an unofficial transcript of these courses to our offices (Mailing Address: Anne Jorgensen, University of Akron, JAR Arena Suite 175, Akron, OH, 44325-5201) so that we can plan for your potential freshman schedule prior to your scheduled Orientation date.
- Once you complete your Post-Secondary course, please make certain that you order your Official Transcript from that institution and have them mail it to the Office of Admissions at the University of Akron (Mailing address: Office of Admissions, Simmons Hall 109, Akron, OH, 44325-2001). Call 330-972-7100 or email admissions@uakron.edu for additional related questions.
Learning Center/Study Table
I’m an incoming freshman student-athlete, will I be required to attend your Athletic Study Table each week?
- Upon receiving your various ACT/SAT test scores, in addition to reviewing your high school GPA and Orientation forms, our respective staff members will determine to which extent you will be required to attend study table each week. This could range from just one mandatory meeting each week with your assigned Graduate Assistant (who will monitor your academic progress throughout your freshman year) to a mandatory set number of hours where your studying will be monitored throughout each session.
I’m an upperclassmen student-athlete at the University of Akron, do I still need to attend Study Table each week?
- Upon receiving your prior semester grades, our respective staff members will determine to which extent you will be required to attend study table each week. This could range from being required to meet a certain number of supervised study hours each week in our Learning Center to having frequent meetings and monitored study sessions overseen by an assigned staff member.
