I hope this email finds you and your loved ones well. This is a difficult time for all of us, but know that we at Grossmont College are thinking of you and are committed to your success. I have a few updates on student resources that I'd like to share with you.
Pass/No Pass
Due to COVID-19, students are able to request a change to the grading basis of their course(s) through the end of the semester (June 1, 2020). By changing the grading basis from a letter grade, for example A, B, C, to a Pass/No Pass (P/NP) you can limit the impact of the course outcome on your Grade Point Average (GPA). Students should
contact a counselor to discuss impacts to their education and/or transfer plans before selecting this option. The deadline to apply for Pass/No Pass is June 1, 2020.
Excused Withdrawal (EW) Process
While there is a process in place for students who, due to COVID-19, want an excused withdrawal from their classes, we now have an electronic process in place. To use the electronic process, students must log into their Self Service account and
follow these instructions.
We hope that this new process will help students who have decided they cannot be successful in their coursework this semester. Please note that students can exercise the EW option through June 1, 2020. As always, we encourage students to
speak with a counselor to discuss how this may impact their educational goals.
Financial Aid
Recent communication suggests that the federal government will not include units for which a student receives an EW in the calculation for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). However, students will still be held to the GPA requirement. We encourage students to visit the
Financial Aid & Scholarships website for the most recent information when deciding the best course of action.
CARES Act
Thanks to the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Grossmont College will receive over $3 million to immediately provide funding relief to students. Our college will distribute this funding through Financial Aid & Scholarships. If you are in need of assistance due to COVID-19 and you have not already done so, I encourage you to fill out the Student Equity & Achievement (SEA) Grant application.
If you submitted an application last month, you DO NOT need to submit a new application. If you have not yet submitted an application, you can do so via the
Financial Aid & Scholarships website.
Community Resources
We know this is a deeply difficult time for our students and their families, especially for those who have had work hours reduced, been furloughed or lost their jobs. To better direct you to community resources, we have added a
Community Resources page to our
Virtual Campus website.
It includes information regarding unemployment, health care, food and utilities assistance, and more, and we will continue to add vetted local resources as we learn of them. I hope this collection of resources can provide some relief to you and your family.
Health & Wellness
We also know this is a difficult time emotionally and mentally for you. Please know that as a student, you continue to have access to Mental Health Services at Grossmont College. Our mental health counselors continue to meet with students virtually; you can
request an appointment on the Mental Health Services website. We also have other suggestions on
how to protect your mental health and well-being on our website and our
Wellness Ambassadors are sharing resources on Instagram.
I hope you find this information helpful and, remember, Grossmont College is here for you.
Be well,
Aaron Starck
Int. Vice President of Student Services
