Satisfactory Academic Progress

Credit Hour Programs

Satisfactory academic progress is measured qualitatively, by review of the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA); quantitatively, by review of the rate of progress-the percentage of credits earned vs. attempted; and overall against a maximum timeframe of 150% of the program length, measured in attempted credits.

Undergraduate Students

Full-time undergraduate students must complete their program within six years. (See below for minimum completion requirements.) Academic credit for semesters is earned with a passing grade (D or better). Satisfactory progress is defined as a minimum of a 2.00 CGPA and a rate of progress of at least 67%.

• First year – Must successfully complete a minimum of eighteen credits
• Second year – Must successfully complete a minimum of thirty-nine credits
• Third year – Must successfully complete a minimum of sixty credits
• Fourth year – Must successfully complete a minimum of eighty-one credits
• Fifth year – Must successfully complete a minimum of ninety-six credits
• Sixth year – Must successfully complete a minimum of one hundred and twenty credits
• Part-time undergraduates must complete their program in a proportional amount of time.

To successfully complete a program, the student must achieve 100% of the program credits within 150% of the program length, as defined by attempted credits.

Graduate/Doctoral Students

Satisfactory academic progress is measured qualitatively, by review of the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA); quantitatively, by review of the rate of progress-the percentage of credits earned vs. attempted; and overall against a maximum period of 150% of the program length, measured in attempted credits. The academic credit for semesters is earned with a passing grade (D or better). Satisfactory progress is defined as a minimum of a 3.00 CGPA and a rate of progress of at least 67%.

To successfully complete a program, the student must achieve 100% of the program credits within 150% of the program length, as defined by attempted credits.

Status Review of Satisfactory Academic Progress

At the Satisfactory Academic Progress checkpoint, a student who is not meeting requirements for the first time will be placed on a “Financial Aid Warning.” Students on “Financial Aid Warning” who do not meet the requirements for the subsequent semester will lose financial aid eligibility. To regain aid eligibility after this point, the student must appeal in accordance with the policy described below. Students whose appeals are granted will be placed on “Financial Aid Probation” for the next semester. If students do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress after the “Financial Aid Probation” period, all federal and/or institutional eligibility will be lost. Students are notified of their status (i.e. warning or probation) via USPS mail.

Appeal Process

A student who loses aid eligibility due to failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may appeal this status. To do so, the student must submit a Financial Aid Appeal Form and supporting documentation within fourteen (14) calendar days notated on the letter. This appeal should be addressed to the Director of Student Financial Services in Adrienne Hall. The appeal must be accompanied by documentation of the situation, events, or circumstances that prevented the student from attaining satisfactory academic progress or otherwise explains the student’s deficient performance. Generally, only extraordinary circumstances are considered, such as the severe illness of the student or an immediate family member. The student will be sent the Director’s written decision within ten (10) days of the school’s receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Director or her designee is final.

If an appeal is granted, a student previously receiving financial aid will regain financial aid eligibility on an Academic Plan status. The student must regain SAP status by the time projected in the Academic Plan, but no later than the maximum period of the program.

The student’s appeal must address the following:

• The basis for the appeal-a description of the special circumstance, AND
• The reason the student failed to meet the SAP standard(s), AND
• What has changed in the student’s situation so that he or she will now be able to meet SAP standards.

Appeals will be granted on a case by case basis.

Academic Plans

A student whose appeal is granted will be required to meet the terms of the Academic Plan as outlined in the notice granting the appeal. Generally, the Academic Plan will require students to meet or exceed the attendance requirements, pass all courses with a “C” or better, and may include additional required elements, such as tutoring. At the end of each semester, the student’s progress will be reviewed based on the Academic Plan. A student who fails to maintain the terms of the Academic Plan will be terminated from financial aid eligibility.

Attempted Credits

Grades of I (Incomplete), F (Failing), and W (Withdrawn) are not considered to be completed credits, but do count as attempted credits. I (Incomplete) grades are temporary and if not satisfactorily resolved by the deadline set between the Registrar’s Office and the professor become F (Failing) grades. Transfer credits are included as both credits earned and credits attempted. P (Passing) grades and W (Withdrawn) count as credits earned and attempted, but have no value for CGPA. Course repetitions count as attempted credits, but students can earn credit only once. When a course is repeated, the later grade will replace the first grade in calculating the CGPA.