Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires institutions of higher education to establish and apply standards of academic progress that all students must meet to qualify and remain eligible for assistance from the Title IV student financial aid programs. Therefore, to maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible to receive financial aid, students must maintain specified grade point averages and proceed through the program at a pace leading to completion within a specified time frame. Satisfactory academic progress will be measured at the end of each semester.

Required Completion Rates
Students are required to complete a minimum of 67% of the hours they attempt by term.

Example: An undergraduate student who attempts 12 hours must complete 8 hours. A graduate students who attempts 9 hours must complete 6 hours.

Example: An undergraduate student who attempts 12 hours must complete 8 hours. A graduate students who attempts 9 hours must complete 6 hours.

Required Grade Point Average
Undergraduate and Post Baccalaureate students must achieve a minimum term grade point average of 2.0 each semester.

Graduate students must achieve a minimum term grade point average of 3.0 each semester.

Requirement of Maximum Time Frame
Students’ eligibility for financial aid ends when they have exceeded the following hours:

Undergraduate Students - Exceed 180 credit hours

Post Baccalaureate Student – Exceed 90 credit hours

Graduate Students – Exceed 53 credit hours

Satisfacory Academic Progress Procedures
When a student fails to meet any of the standards outlined for a specified period, the student will be place on:

Warning – Allowed to continue to receive financial aid

Probation – Allowed to continue to receive financial aid

Suspension – Ineligible for Federal student Aid/Pending Appeal

Policy for Student Appeals
If a student is ineligible for Federal Financial Aid based on the satisfactory academic progress requirements, the student may appeal this decision by completing the Satisfactory Progress Appeal Form. The student will be advised in writing of the decision. If an appeal is denied at this level, the student may appeal to the Enrollment Services Appeal Committee.

The following steps are required when submitting an appeal:

Submit the Satisfactory Progress Appeal Form
Clearly state the circumstances that affected your academic performance
Provide written documentation of your special circumstances
Attached supporting documentation that validates your statements
Identify the steps you have taken to ensure that you will not fall below satisfactory academic progress standards in the future
For students who have exceeded the maximum time frame requirement, a Special Graduation Contract signed by the student and the academic advisor must be attached to your Satisfactory Progress Appeal Form
Sign and date your petition

Some examples of acceptable reasons that must be validated are listed below:

A student's serious illness or accident that must be documented from a medical or mental health professional
Death in the student's family that must be documented by providing a copy of the death certificate or obituary
Other unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the student that caused the student to fall below the satisfactory progress standards

Appeal Deadline
Appeals must be submitted to One Stop Student Services within three weeks of the date of the written notification of unsatisfactory progress. It is the responsibility of the student to decide when an appeal is appropriate and to initiate an appeal before the specified deadline.