The Higher Education Amendments of 1976 require the college to define and enforce minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress. Students receiving financial aid from federal, state, or institutional sources must conform to these standards. Additionally, students receiving grants and/or loans from any state sources may be subject to the regulations in effect for that state.
Academic Standards
The following guidelines are established to encourage students to successfully complete courses for which aid is received. Students enrolled for 12 undergraduate credits hours are considered full time. Student progress will be based on the most recently available grades provided by the Registrar. No course may be repeated more than once.
All students must complete at least 75% of their attempted credit hours and meet a GPA requirement. The following are the GPA standards that each student must meet based on their grade level:
- Freshman must complete the year with a cumulative GPA of at least 1.5
- Sophomores must complete the year with a cumulative GPA of at least 1.7
- Juniors must complete the year with a cumulative GPA of at least 1.9
- All other undergraduates must complete the year with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- First year graduate students must complete their first year with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.6
- All other graduate students must complete the year with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Time limitations for satisfactory progress
Undergraduate students are eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum of 10 semesters. Full-time summer enrollment of 12 credits hours is equivalent to one academic semester. Financial eligibility for part-time students will be extended proportionately.
Appeals
Students who are denied financial aid for not meeting the minimum standards of satisfactory progress have the right to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the director of Financial Aid. Situations that warrant an appeal include, but are not limited to, illness, death of a family member, change of major, and family emergencies. Students who submit an appeal will be notified with the result by the director. Students who are granted an appeal have one academic year to meet the minimum standards for satisfactory progress. Subsequent appeals will not be granted, except in the case of extreme circumstances.
Reinstatement
Students who lose financial aid eligibility due to academic progress can reapply for financial aid the semester after they have earned sufficient credits and the required