Complete Schedule
The Unintended Cost of On-Time Graduation: Are Student Success Policies Hindering Student Participation in Research?
Presentation Type
Mini-Presentation
Location
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 215
Event Website
https://researchsymposium.ucf.edu/
Start Date
17-10-2026 10:10 AM
End Date
17-10-2026 10:40 AM
Description/Abstract
Research experiences are increasingly expected for undergraduates interested in advanced training in biomedical fields and are often key experiences for student success. However, these experiences can be in conflict with the pressures of maintaining progress toward graduation in four years. Statewide metrics and financial aid regulations structured to improve graduation and retention can and do have downstream effects that limit access and participation in undergraduate research.
This talk will highlight examples of these hurdles identified at the University of North Florida (UNF), where established internship and funded research programs support students pursuing biomedical science careers. While guiding students through these programs, we have discovered that regulations such as the Florida Board of Governors regulation requiring students entering with fewer than 60 credit hours to complete at least 9 summer credits before graduation; actively deters full participation in research. Compounding this, most summer enrollees attend part-time and are ineligible for Pell Grants, Florida Bright Futures, and similar aid. This pushes students toward off-campus employment, preventing participation in funded external experiences such as REU and SURF programs. Even during the academic year, the classification of research credits as internship rather than traditional coursework can result in those credits not qualifying for financial aid.
Through this presentation, we aim help participants better identify conflicts between student success–oriented policies and generate group discussion of approaches to integrate and recognize research experiences as core to the undergraduate degree.
The Unintended Cost of On-Time Graduation: Are Student Success Policies Hindering Student Participation in Research?
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 215
Research experiences are increasingly expected for undergraduates interested in advanced training in biomedical fields and are often key experiences for student success. However, these experiences can be in conflict with the pressures of maintaining progress toward graduation in four years. Statewide metrics and financial aid regulations structured to improve graduation and retention can and do have downstream effects that limit access and participation in undergraduate research.
This talk will highlight examples of these hurdles identified at the University of North Florida (UNF), where established internship and funded research programs support students pursuing biomedical science careers. While guiding students through these programs, we have discovered that regulations such as the Florida Board of Governors regulation requiring students entering with fewer than 60 credit hours to complete at least 9 summer credits before graduation; actively deters full participation in research. Compounding this, most summer enrollees attend part-time and are ineligible for Pell Grants, Florida Bright Futures, and similar aid. This pushes students toward off-campus employment, preventing participation in funded external experiences such as REU and SURF programs. Even during the academic year, the classification of research credits as internship rather than traditional coursework can result in those credits not qualifying for financial aid.
Through this presentation, we aim help participants better identify conflicts between student success–oriented policies and generate group discussion of approaches to integrate and recognize research experiences as core to the undergraduate degree.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/researchsymposium/2026/CompleteSchedule/9