2000-2001 Academic Catalog

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Recipients of Financial Aid Policy Fi~ancial aid recipients at Cedarville University are required to aclueve satisfactory academic progress to be eligible to continue to receive federal financial assistance. The purpose ofthis policy is to define the requirements for satisfactory academic progress as it pertains to recipients ofTitle IV federal aid programs. The University recognizes that conditions which create the need for financial assistance may also create other educational needs which require extra time and slower progress in achieving educational goals. Students who, because ofexceptional educational needs, must make slower progress than outlined in the policy or who find themselves victims ofunusual circumstances, are encouraged to discuss their situations with their academic advisors and the financial aid office. Whe.re le~ally possible, because ofmitigating circumstances, exceptions to this policy can be considered. When the Congress of the United States enacted the Higher EducationAmendments of! 976, eligible instih1tions were directed to define and enforce standards ofprogress for students receiving federal financial assistance. The programs directly involved at Cedarville University are: (1) Federal Pell Grant, (2) The Federal Perkins Loan, (3) The Federal Supplemental Educational OpportunityGrant-FSEOG, (4) Federal Work Study-FWS, and (5) Stafford/PLUS Loans. Full-Time Students To be eligible for full benefits ofFederal Title IV funds, undergradu– ate recipients of financial aid must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours of classes during each quarter that aid is received. All students are required to have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) in order to graduate from Cedarville University. The following academic requirements would be appropriate in achieving this goal and fulfilling the term "carrying to completion" the required credit hours. In order to meet academic progress standards, students must complete a minimum number ofcredit hours based on a percentage ofwork to be completedandmaintain a minimum cumulative grade point consistent with the requirements for graduation. The following illustrates the academic progress policy: Hours attempted 1-45 46-95 96-140 141-288 Completed(percent) 65% 70% 75% 80% MinimumcumGPA 1.7 1.9 2.0 2.0 Satisfactory academic progress means that first-time students must, after a reasonable probationary period not to exceed three quarters except in cases ofmitigating circumstances, have registered the minimum cumulative grade point average each quarter thereafter above. In addition, these students must complete 65% the first academic year, 70% the second year, 75% the third year, and 80% the fourth year. NOTE: Cumulative grade point is measured each quarter; percentage ofwork or credit hours completed is measured once each academic year. It is assumed that the majority of students will graduate in the normal time frame. However, no sh1dent may continue more than six years in order to complete his/her academic program. Regardless of the credit hours full-time students attempt, which cannot exceed 288, they must complete the percentage of work (credit hours) and have the appropriate cumulative grade point as stipulated. Aid recipients who fail to complete the required number of credit hours listed above during the applicable academic year and who do not meet the minimum grade point requirements each quarter will be considered as not making satisfactory academic progress. These students will be subject to having their federal aid discontinued, unless there are mitigating circumstances involved that may affect a student's academic progress. Students who withdraw from all courses during any quarter will be required to confer with the Financial Aid Office ~nd other appropriate offices. If permitted to continue, students who withdraw from all courses during each quarter for two consecutive quarters will be considered as not making satisfact01y academic progress and will be discontinued from receiving federal financial aid. In conjunction with school policy, the grading marks F, I, and WF will not be considered as successful completion of courses attempted. Financial Information 209 Incomplete (I) grades can be considered when completed according to the provisions in the university catalog. Courses that are repeated will count in the calculation ofhours attempted and completed hours earned ifthe student receives a passing grade; however, all grades received for the course will be included in the grade point calculation. Credit hours in which a (CR) has been earned count toward total graduation requirements but are not used in the computation of grade point averages. Noncredit hours for which an (NC) has been earned are not used in the computation of grade point averages. Repeat course credits earned are averaged into the cumulative grade point averages; however, credit hours are counted only once. (AU) Audit, (W) Withdrawal, (WP) Withdrawal Passing do not constitute hours attempted or completed. Summer school credit hours earned will be included in the academic year to which summer sessions are assigned. They will be evaluated the same as hours earned in regular quarter sessions. Part-time Students Students who enroll for less than a full-time basis (12 credit hours per quarter) will receive proportionately less financial aid than a full-time student as dictated by lower school costs and federal regulations. ~imilar academic progress requirements for full-time apply to part– tlme enrollment on a proportional basis. Financial aid will not be awarded to students who enroll for fewer than six hours of credit per quarter (halftime). Transfer Students Transfer students who have never attended Cedarville University will be t,reated as new students. After completion of the probationary penod, the transfer credits plus the credits received at Cedarville University and the cumulative grade point earned will be the evaluating factors to determine ifprogress is evident, based on the current satisfactory academic progress policy. How to Re-establish Eligibility When a student is denied aid because of lack of academic progress additional courses at Cedarville must be taken at the student's own ' expense. This will be necessary until the minimumcumulative grade point average and the required minimum credit hours needed meet the academic progress criterion. In all cases, each student, upon completion o~these requirements, must schedule an appointment with the Financial A1~ Office to determine his or her future eligibility for federal assistance. Method for Appeal Students who have been discontinued from financial aid have a right to appeal and can do so by written notification to the director of student financial aid. All appeals must include substantive reasons for railu~e to comply with the provisions of this policy, and all extenuat– mg Clfcumstances must be supported by documentation. The .director of financial aid will respond by letter to each appeal and either approve or disapprove the student's continuation of financial aid. If necessary, further appeals can be made to the financial aid committee and to the vice president for student services. Student Rights 1. You have the right to know what financial aid programs are available at your school. 2. You have the right to know the deadlines for submitting applica– tions for each ofthe financial aid programs available. 3. You have the right to know how financial aid will be distributed, how decisions on that distribution are made, and the basis for these decisions. 4. You have the right to know how your financial need was determined. This includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, personal, and miscellaneous expenses, etc., are considered in your budget. 5. You have the right to know what resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, your assets, etc.) were considered in the calculation ofyour need. 6. You have the right to know how much of your financial need as determined by the institution has been met.