Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

In accordance with federal and state regulations, all financial aid recipients must maintain the following minimum standards:

· Satisfactorily complete at least 75 percent of all attempted credits. When students retake classes to improve their grade point average, the class counts as "attempted credits" every semester, but only counts as "earned credits' once (assuming the student earns a passing grade). Students should take care to ensure that they do not retake so many classes that their ratio of attempted to completed credits falls before the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement

· Obtain first baccalaureate degree within 192 attempted hours

· Freshmen must obtain at least a cumulative GPA of 1.75 at the end of the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 after the second semester.

· Sophomores, juniors and seniors must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00

 

Financial Aid Probation and Termination

Students who do not meet the above standard of satisfactory progress at the end of the academic year (spring term) will automatically be placed on financial aid probation for the following academic semester. Financial aid may still be received during the probation period. At the end of the probation period, the student must again be making satisfactory academic progress as outlined above or financial aid will be terminated. Students will be removed from financial aid probation if they achieve the requirements for satisfactory academic progress.

 

If at any point it becomes clear that a student will not be able to meet the quantitative standard by graduation, the student becomes ineligible for aid and will be terminated from financial aid without a probation period. Students who are academically dismissed (and not reinstated on appeal) from the College are immediately terminated from financial aid without a probation period.

 

Appeals

Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress standards and lose financial aid eligibility can appeal this decision. The appeal must be made in writing and should be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. Appeals should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. Acceptable reasons for appeal include injury or illness of the student, illness or death of an immediate relative of the student, or other extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control.

 

Reestablishing Financial Aid Eligibility

Students who have had their financial aid terminated due to lack of satisfactory academic progress may can enroll without benefit of financial aid. Such students may request a review of their academic record after any semester in which they are enrolled without the receipt of financial aid to determine whether they have met the satisfactory academic progress standards. If the standards are met, financial aid eligibility is restored for subsequent terms of enrollment. Students should meet with the Director of Financial Aid if they have any questions about this policy, the appeal process, or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.