2012-2013 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Page 287 2012–13 Undergraduate Catalog Introduction Admissions Academic Information Academic Departments Course Descriptions Financial Information Appendix Index 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. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans 2. Subsidized Stafford Loans 3. Federal Perkins Loans 4. Federal PLUS Loans 5. Federal Pell Grant 6. Federal SEOG Grant 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 courses during each semester that aid is received. All students are required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) in order to graduate from Cedarville University. The following academic requirements 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 GPA consistent with the requirements for graduation. The following illustrates the academic progress policy: Hours attempted 1–30 31–60 61–90 91–192 Completed (percent) 65% 70% 75% 80% Minimum cumulative GPA 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 GPA each semester thereafter as indicated above. In addition, these students must complete 65% of attempted coursework 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 their 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 GPA 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, and 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 GPAs; however, credit hours are counted only once towards the graduation requirement, but both attempts toward 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 GPAs. Non-credit hours for which “NC” has been earned are not used in the computation of GPAs. Audit (AU) courses do not constitute hours attempted or completed and are not used in the computation of GPAs.