No Differential Treatment for Students on Financial Aid

Financial aid can no longer be revoked on the basis of a student’s CGPA.

Kartik Sundar, Class of 2020

After lengthy debate and conversation, the Ashoka administration met with the Student Government on Jan 31 and decided to remove the clause which stated that financial aid could be revoked if a student did not maintain a required CGPA. Although this change has been implemented, Ashoka University has stated that all Ashoka students have to be in good standing and have to meet minimum academic requirements

Prior to this change, and although no student has ever been penalised, students were at risk of losing their aid if the minimum of a 2.0 CGPA was not met. More than 51% of Ashoka’s undergraduate students are currently on aid.

Members of the Student Government contested the grounds on which such a requirement was made; aid at Ashoka is provided on the basis of need and not merit. Such a discrepancy prompted said members to approach the administration for reforms.

In a public email thread dated 12 October 2017, several faculty members also expressed their concerns over the imposition of such a rule, since it did not factor in differences in prior educational institutions, among other things.

The erstwhile policy seemed to be against the ethos under which Ashoka admits students. Moreover it placed several students under added stress along with academic pressure, while having no similar consequences to those who do not avail aid. Efforts by the Student Government following the expression of these sentiments have ultimately resulted in the removal of academic requirements for the continuance of aid.

Clarification: The Edict reported, “After lengthy debate and conversation, the Ashoka administration today met with the Student Government and decided that a minimum academic requirement shall no longer be imposed for students on financial aid.”

This has been amended to, “After lengthy debate and conversation, the Ashoka administration met with the Student Government on Jan 31 and decided to remove the clause which stated that financial aid could be revoked if the student did not maintain a required CGPA. Although this change has been implemented, Ashoka University has stated that all Ashoka students have to be in good standing and have to meet minimum academic requirements.