IPSWICH: A student who travelled to America to attend a top university may have his scholarship withdrawn after a row over his grades.

IPSWICH: A student who travelled to America to attend a top university may have his scholarship withdrawn after a row over his grades.

David Kempson, a promising young footballer, was given the chance to study for four years at the well-respected Hofstra University after being spotted by a scout playing for Woodbridge Town.

The 18-year-old undertook a gruelling American-style SAT exam along with team-mate Lewis Rhodes before applying for visas in order to enrol across the pond.

The chance to study at the university, in New York State, was one David could not turn down and he flew out at the end of August, hoping to hit the ground running and cement his place in the squad.

But he has been forced to sit on the sidelines while the team plays matches and at one point was even barred from training with his fellow footballers.

His father Bryan said the dispute centred on the value of one of David's GCSE courses, completed three years ago. The NCAA clearing board - the American equivalent of UCAS - took issue with David's double B grade achieved in applied science.

Mr Kempson said the American interpretation of the course gave it less academic significance than in the UK, leaving David's grades a little short of what was required and his future hanging in the balance.

The family, who live in Chepstow Road, Ipswich, have appealed to the NCAA.

Mr Kempson said: “His GPA (grade point average) qualified him to go to the school. Everything was ok, we faxed out his GCSE results and his predicted A-level grades and everything was fine.

“But it's the applied science grade - a GCSE he took three years ago and got a double B - quite a high grade. They class it as something where you just turn up whenever you like - we class it as a real course and a recognised qualification.”

Has a mix up over grades caused you problems? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Did you know?

Former Hofstra students include famous names such as actors James Caan and Christopher Walken as well as The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppolla and a string of top American sports stars.