2005-2006 Academic Catalog

222 Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Recipients of Financial Aid Policy Financial aid recipients at Cedarville University are required to achieve satisfactory academic progress to be eligible to continue to receive federal financial assistance. The purpose of this policy is to define the requirements for satisfactory academic progress as it pertains to recipients of Title IV federal aid programs. The University recognizes that conditions that create the need for financial assistance may also create other educational needs that require extra time and slower progress in achieving educational goals. Students who, because of exceptional educational needs, must make slower progress than outlined in the policy or who find themselves victims of unusual circumstances, are encouraged to discuss their situations with their academic advisors and the Financial Aid Office. Where legally possible, because of mitigating circumstances, exceptions to this policy can be considered. When the Congress of the United States enacted the Higher Education Amendments of 1976, eligible institutions were directed to define and enforce standards of progress 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 Opportunity Grant-FSEOG, (4) Federal Work Study-FWS, and (5) Stafford/PLUS Loans. Full-Time Students To be eligible for full benefits of Federal Title IV funds, undergraduate recipients of financial aid must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours of classes during each semester 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 require- ments would be appropriate in achieving this goal by “carrying to completion” the required credit hours. In order to meet academic progress standards, students must complete a minimum number of credit hours based on a percentage of work to be completed and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average consistent with the requirements for graduation. The following illustrates the academic progress policy: Hours attempted 1-32 33-64 65-96 97-192 Completed (percent) 65% 70% 75% 80% MinimumcumulativeGPA 1.70 1.90 2.00 2.00 Satisfactory academic progress means that first-time students must, after a reasonable probationary period not to exceed one semester, have registered the minimum cumulative grade point average each semester thereafter as indicated above. In addition, these students must complete 65% of attempted course work the first academic year, 70% the second year, 75% the third year and 80% the fourth year. Note : Academic progress is measured at the end of each academic term. (Satisfactory progress for summer coursework will be evaluated at the end of the fall semester when fall term academic progress is evaluated.) It is assumed that the majority of students will graduate in the normal time frame. However , no student may continue more than six years as a full time student in order to complete his/her academic program. Regardless of the credit hours a full-time student attempts and received aid for , (which cannot exceed 192) they must complete the percentage of work attempted and have the appropriate cumulative grade point as stipulated above. Aid recipients who fail to complete the required percentage of work attempted as listed above during the applicable semester and/or do not meet the minimum cumulative grade point requirements each semester 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 semester will be encouraged to confer with the Financial Aid Office. If permitted to continue, students who withdraw from all courses during each semester for two consecutive semesters will be considered as not making satisfactory academic progress and will be discontinued from receiving federal financial aid. In conjunction and addition to the academic policy listed in the university Catalog, the grading marks F, I, W, WF & WP will not be considered as successful completion of courses attempted. The attempt of these courses will be considered in quantitative (percent completion) analysis of SAP but not the qualitative (GPA) analysis. The Incomplete (I) grades will be considered into the qualitative (GPA) analysis when completed according to the provisions in the university catalog. When an incomplete grade changes to another grade notation, that change will be picked up in the next SAP review. Repeat course credits earned are averaged into the cumulative grade point averages; however, credit hours are counted only once towards the graduation requirement, but both attempts towards the percent of completion 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. Non-credit hours for which a ‘NC’ has been earned are not used in the computation of grade point averages. (AU) Audit classes do not constitute hours attempted or completed and 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, 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 semester sessions. Part-time Students Students who enroll for less than full-time (12 hours per semester) will receive proportionately less financial aid than a full-time student as dictated by lower school costs and federal regulations. Similar academic progress requirements for full-time apply to part-time enrollment on a proportional basis. Financial aid (except the Federal Pell Grant) will not be awarded to students who enroll for fewer than six credit hours per semester (half-time). Transfer Students Transfer students who have never attended Cedarville University will be treated as new students in regard to the probationary period (one semester). The transfer credits plus the credits received at Cedarville will be used for the percent of completion measurement; however, only the cumulative grade point average earned at Cedarville will be the evaluating factor to determine if progress is being made, 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 University must be taken at the student’s own expense. This will be necessary until the minimum cumulative grade point average and the percentage of completion requirements meet the academic progress criteria. In all cases, each student, upon completion of these requirements, must schedule an appointment with the Assistant Director of Financial Aid to determine his or her future eligibility for federal assistance. Method for Appeal Students who have been denied Federal Aid due to Unsatisfactory Academic Progress have the right to appeal and can do so by a written request to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. All appeals must include substantive reasons for failure to comply with this policy. The Assistant Director of Financial Aid along with the appeal committee will review the appeal and the Assistant Director will respond by letter with either an approval or rejection of the student’s appeal. On an individual basis, future progress requirements may be placed on a student whose appeal is approved. If the appeal is approved, the student’s financial aid will be reinstated for the term. If necessary, further appeals may be made to the V ice President for Enrollment Management. Financial Information