How Grades Affect Financial Aid Eligibility

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS DEFINED. Generally, a student is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress in his/her curriculum program of study when three requirements are satisfied:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00.
2. Complete a minimum number of credit hours of the total credit hours attempted with grades of A, B, C, or D.
3. Successfully complete the program of study within its maximum time frame. Federal regulations specify that the time frame may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program for full-time students.

A student who fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress as defined will forfeit all financial aid eligibility.

MONITORING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS- The college will monitor satisfactory progress using the chart below.  The chart has been designed to accommodate all federally eligible programs of study offered by the college and the variable enrollment status of students (e.g. full-time, 3/4 time, 1/2 time, and less than 1/2 time).

 

*Credit hours attempted will be cumulative and will include all hours for which the student was enrolled as of the census date of each academic term or for which the student received a grade.  The census date is defined as the day following the last day for registration and payment as outlined in the College catalog.

**Credit hours completed with grades of A, B, C, D, or T only will fulfill this requirement.  Grades of CR, I, P, U, W, X, Y, AP and NP will not fulfill the requirement.

***Cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total credit hours attempted for which the student received grades of A, B, C, D, F, or U.

The maximum time frame will be monitored independent of the above monitoring chart since it establishes the maximum credit hours a student may attempt in an effort to complete a program of study and, at the same time, remain eligible to receive financial aid assistance.  For each program of study a maximum time frame is to be calculated by taking the total credit hours required for the program as outlined in the college catalog and multiplying the total by 150%.  Time frames will vary from program to program.  [Examples:  Practical Nursing Curriculum requires 47 credit hours to complete the diploma.  The time frame is calculated (47 x 150%= 71).  Associate Degree Nursing requires 75 credit hours to complete the degree.  The time frame is calculated (75 x 150%= 112.50).  Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degree requires 65 credit hours to complete the degree.  The time frame is calculated (65 x 150%= 97.50).  Carpentry Program requires 46 credit hours to complete the diploma.  The time frame is calculated (46 x 150%=69).]

Students who are not meeting the satisfactory academic progress standards may appeal for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.  The procedure for appeal is:

1. The student will indicate in writing to the Director of Financial Aid the reasons why he/she did not make satisfactory academic progress and why financial aid should not be terminated.  Documentation to support the appeal is required and must be attached to the letter of appeal to the Director. If the student does not have supporting documentation, he/she must contact the Financial Aid Office prior to turning in the letter to the director for advice regarding lack of documentation.  It is unlikely that the director will review the appeal if it lacks supporting documentation.
2. The Director of Financial Aid will review the appeal to determine whether or not the student's financial aid eligibility will be reinstated.  The student will be advised of the decision in writing.

Revised 03/14/07