Undergraduate Student Policies and Resources


Written policies and procedures on academic honesty, family educational rights and privacy, dispute resolution, and other important topics are clearly outlined in the Code of Student Conduct.

Student Privacy and Access to Personal Information

In compliance with the FERPA law, the university will not distribute grades or any other academic information to anyone but you. As owner of your academic records, you decide whether or not you want to share this with others. For more information, go to: https://www.umass.edu/living/ferpa-guideline.

Students also have the right to a response to a reasonable request for explanation and interpretation of records that apply to them. The university will provide the student with a copy of his/her transcript upon written request and payment of a fee as applicable. If a student wishes to see any of the educational records that apply to them, they are instructed to go to the office that keeps the records during regular working hours. Students should make all requests in writing, following the procedures established by the office. If possible, students will have immediate access to their record. In no case will a student have to wait more than 45 days.

Student Performance

To continue as a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, you are expected to meet performance criteria as outlined by the Academic Regulations set by the Office of the Provost. All undergraduate students are responsible for complying with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures contained in this publication as well as those in other official oniversity publications and announcements which may be issued from time to time. Students are also expected to familiarize themselves with other important documentation including, but not limited to, the Guide to Undergraduate Programs. The University reserves the right to change policies and regulation whenever such action is deemed appropriate or necessary. This publication is compiled by the Office of the University Registrar.

Failure to meet the criteria outlined in the Academic Regulations will result in one or more of the following:

Academic Warning

Students whose cumulative average is 2.000 or above, but whose semester average is less than 2.000, will be sent a warning indicating that they should consult with their academic dean.

Academic Probation

Students whose cumulative average falls below 2.000 will be placed on Academic Probation. Students who have been placed on Academic Probation or who have received a second consecutive Academic Warning should contact their academic dean (NOTE: these are students with acceptable CUM GPA that repeatedly do not meet minimum term GPA requirements.)

Academic Suspension

Students on probation who fail to achieve or maintain good standing in any subsequent semester will be placed on Academic Suspension unless an appeal is granted. Suspended students may not enroll in the succeeding Fall or Spring semester. Suspension is a one semester separation from the university, including University Without Walls. Following one semester on Academic Suspension, students who file an Application for Re-enrollment with the Registrar’s Office (by March 15 for the Fall semester or Oct. 15 for the Spring semester) are entitled to re-enroll.

Academic Dismissal

Academic Dismissal is a permanent separation from the University. Students who are readmitted after any Academic Suspension and fail to achieve or maintain good standing in any subsequent semester will be placed on Academic Dismissal unless an appeal is granted.

Appeals Process

If a student receives a discipline as noted above they have the right to appeal their academic status and will work closely with advisors in the SPHHS Center for Student Success. 

Withdrawing From UMass

The University of Massachusetts has a process for taking a leave from the university. Students can take a break from their studies for the following reasons: personal, medical/health, academic, military service, or financial. Students who want to to pursue a break from their studies will need to officially withdraw from the university, and follow the procedure for returning as described in the Academic Regulation Handbook.

Student Grievances

As described in the Code of Student Conduct, any student who wishes to discuss grievances regarding the nutrition department disciplinary policies or disputes related to the program in a confidential manner can file a grievance with the Ombuds office.

Filing a complaint with ACEND

If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of complaints within UMass, ACEND has established a process for reviewing complaints against accredited programs in order to fulfill its public responsibility for assuring the quality and integrity of the educational programs that it accredits. Any individual, for example, student, faculty, dietetics practitioner, and/or member of the public, may submit a complaint against any accredited program to ACEND. However, the ACEND board does not intervene on behalf of individuals or act as a court of appeal for individuals in matters of admissions, appointment, promotion, or dismissal of faculty or students. It acts only upon a signed allegation that the program may not be in compliance with the Accreditation Standards or policies. The complaint must be signed by the complainant. Anonymous complaints are not considered.

Cost of Attending UMass

The cost of attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst can be found at the bursar’s webpage.

Financial Aid

The University offers a variety of opportunities for undergraduate students to receive financial aid and scholarships. For further information on financial aid available to undergraduate students, including federal student loans and grant programs, visit the UMass Amherst Financial Aid Services website at: https://www.umass.edu/umfa/.

Scholarships for Nutrition Majors

A variety of scholarships are available for undergraduate nutrition majors, graduates who are entering dietetic internships, or graduate students in nutrition. Applications for scholarships are completed through a centralized application system called AcademicWorks and include:

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Scholarships
  • Massachusetts Dietetic Association (MDA) Scholarships
  • Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association (WAMDA) Scholarship
  • The Virginia Beal Scholarship
  • The Helen Mitchell Scholarship

Withdrawal and Refund of Tuition and Fees

Students may at any time terminate their affiliation in the current semester with the university for personal, academic, financial, or medical reasons by processing the University Withdrawal Form. The students' Undergraduate Dean or the Director of University Health Services will determine the effective date of the withdrawal. Students' eligibility to return is determined by their academic status after the withdrawal is processed. Students eligible to return after a withdrawal must apply for readmission by the established deadlines. A student who leaves the university for any reason before a semester is completed will be granted a pro rata refund of tuition and fees.

Academic Calendar

The University of Massachusetts Amherst follows the academic calendars approved by the Faculty Senate.