Satisfactory Academic Progress 2007-2008
Effective Fall 2007
Federal regulations require that all recipients of student financial assistance make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate. Students applying for assistance through the Federal Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Smart Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG), Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Parent PLUS Loan and Graduate PLUS loan programs are required to meet two separate requirements in maintaining their financial aid eligibility at NSU.
First, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average.
Second, students are required to complete (pass) a certain number of hours per year based on their award status (full time, three-quarter time, half-time).
These two requirements are summarized in the following charts. Failure to meet both of these minimum academic standards will result in the loss of financial aid eligibility. Students are expected to know, based on this Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, when they may be placed on financial aid probation or suspension.
- Grade Point Average Requirement
Each student must meet a minimum cumulative grade point average to remain eligible for federal student aid.Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy Requirements Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Total Hours Attempted from all Institutions 1-30 Credit Hours 31 Hours or more All Hours Minimum Cumulative GPA Requirements 1.70 GPA 2.00 GPA 3.00 GPA - Satisfactory Completion of Semester Hours Requirement
Students must also complete and pass 100% of the credit hours for which they receive financial assistance in any enrollment period. For example, full time undergraduate students who attempt 24 credit hours in their first two semesters and receive full financial aid must pass 24 credit hours in that academic year. Only grades of A, B, C, D, S, and P are counted as successfully completed.Number of hours a student must complete per academic year to remain eligible for Federal Student Aid Undergraduate Students Graduate Students Students funded at full-time status must complete 12 Hours per Semester/ 24 per Year 9 Hours per Semester/ 18 per Year Students funded at 3/4 time status must complete 9 Hours per Semester/ 18 per Year N/A Students funded at ½ time status must complete 6 Hours per Semester/ 12 Per Year 5 Hours per Semester/ 10 per Year
An example of how the policy works:
A continuing Junior who has been awarded at a full time status, is expected to successfully complete 24 hours during an academic year and maintain the minimum required GPA. If the student successfully completes 18 hours with a 3.0 GPA then he or she has not met one of the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. At the end of the spring semester the student will be placed on financial aid probation. The summer semester will be the students probationary period and he or she can make up any deficiencies from the academic year during this term. Therefore the student would have to successfully complete 6 hours during the summer term and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA, to remain eligible for federal financial aid. If he or she fails to meet their requirements for the academic year they will be placed on financial aid suspension at the end of the summer semester.
Please note: Students remain eligible for federal financial aid while on probation, IF they have financial aid eligibility remaining for that academic year.
Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion
Students must complete their degree program within an allotted time frame to remain eligible for financial aid. The chart below indicates the time frame in which a degree must be acquired. Be aware that hour limits are cumulative; therefore, all hours from all institutions you have attended will be included. Student Financial Services recommends that students who have attempted 150 hours toward their first Bachelor’s degree request a Final Degree Check in the Office of Admissions and Records to ensure they have taken the courses necessary for their degree. For financial aid purposes grades of A, B, C, D, F, P, S, W, AW, WP, WF, I, N, NP, X, and U are all considered attempted hours. Once students reach their maximum time frame for their specified degree, they are no longer eligible for federal student aid.
| 186 hours - First Bachelor’s Degree 240 hours - Additional Undergraduate Work |
48 hours - First Master’s 80 hours - Additional Master’s Work |
Financial Aid Probation and Suspension
Probation
After the initial semester of attendance in an academic year, if students fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for that semester (see “GPA and Semester Hours” requirement tables above), they will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester. Students remain eligible for financial aid during their probationary period.
Suspension
At the end of the probationary period, if students fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements set for the year (see “GPA and Semester Hours” requirement tables above) they are placed on financial aid suspension. While on suspension, students are not eligible for any type of federal student aid, i.e., grants, loans, etc.
Please note: Financial aid probation and suspension are separate from academic probation and suspension.
Appeal of Suspension
A student with extenuating circumstances may appeal the financial aid suspension by submitting a written appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services. Appeals must explain in detail why the student failed to meet the minimum academic standards, what extenuating circumstances caused the failure, and how the situation has since improved. Examples of extenuating circumstances include illness, medical issues with immediate family members, or a death in the family. Personal or financial issues with family, friends, or roommates are not considered extenuating circumstances. The appeal should include supporting documentation to substantiate the request for reinstatement. The appeal and all supporting documentation will be reviewed within the Financial Aid Department. and be approved or denied. The results of the appeal will be mailed to the student within ten working days. If denied students do have the option to have their appeal seen by a second committee. The members of the second committee are not affiliated with the Financial Aid Department, the second committee is comprised of Professors, Students, and other University Staff, their decision is final.
Students may also have their financial aid reinstated by paying for and successfully completing one semester of attendance at the hourly rate for which they were previously awarded. For example, if a student was awarded at full time status (12 hours or more) and was placed on suspension, the student can pay for and successfully complete a 12 hour semester and have her or his aid reinstated.
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