North Carolina Raises GPA Standards

Borderline students beware: The University of North Carolina is raising its grade-point average standard for academic eligibility to a 2.0, the Daily Tar Heel reports. Previously, to become sophomores, students needed a 1.5 GPA; juniors, 1.75; seniors, 1.9; and to graduate, a student needed a 2.0. School officials hope the tougher standards will increase the graduation rate and prevent some from falling behind early and fighting an "uphill battle toward graduation," the director of admissions said. "The raising of the eligibility was designed to keep students out of a trap."

The new system is in place for the upcoming year's sophomore class. UNC officials say that there has been no change in the number of eligible students this year.