Financial Aid: Undergraduate Students - Satisfactory Academic
Progress for Financial Aid
While determining and documenting financial need is of primary
importance to all financial aid applicants, no less important to
the returning student is the matter of Satisfactory Academic Progress
(SAP), that is, measurable progress toward the completion of a course
of study according to the standards of Fitchburg State College and
the federal government. SAP standards apply to all students: full-time,
part-time, undergraduate, graduate, day school and continuing education.
Procedure
Once per year, student records are checked by the Financial
Aid Office to determine which students are not maintaining satisfactory
academic progress. Notices are sent to students informing them of
their ineligibility for financial aid. If notification of a change
in academic standing is not received from the student (including
incomplete grade reports and summer session grades), it will be
assumed that SAP is not being maintained and the student will be
ineligible for financial aid.
Satisfactory academic progress is also checked when students return from a period of non enrollment, including recent withdrawals.
Satisfactory academic progress may be checked at other times during the year, as prescribed by specific federal, state or institutional funds.
Requirements
Federal regulations require that SAP measure students' academic
progress using both quantitative and qualitative measures.
Qualitatively:
Students must be maintaining an appropriate cumulative grade point
average according to the following regulations:
Undergraduate students with 0-29 attempted and transferred credits must maintain a minimum
1.6 cumulative grade point average.
Undergraduate students with 30-59 attempted and transferred credits must maintain a minimum
1.8 cumulative grade point average.
Undergraduate students with 60 + attempted and transferred credits must maintain a 2.0 cumulative
grade point average.
Graduate student must be maintaining the minimum GPA required by their department's academic policy. No graduate student GPA may fall under a 2.0.
Quantitatively:
Full-time undergraduate students must successfully complete 20
credits during each academic year. Part-time undergraduate and all graduate students must
successfully complete 67% of the number of credits attempted for
each semester. Students may attempt a maximum of 150% of the total number of credits required to complete their degree. For most undergraduate students, the maximum number of attempted credits is 180.
Special Circumstances
Special consideration may be given to students admitted, or later
identified as having a physical or learning disability or who are
economically or educationally disadvantaged.
Appeal Process
Students who meet one of the above special circumstances or who have had extreme
circumstances during the course of the academic year that may have
impacted their ability to progress academically may submit a letter
of appeal to the Dean of Student and Academic Life. A student receiving
a waiver may continue to receive financial assistance as if they
were in good standing. However, aid may be reduced due to
a lack of available funding at the time of waiver approval. All
waivers must be received prior to the end of the term for which
you are appealing. Students who have exceeded 150% of the required degree credits are not eligible for a waiver.
Students who have not had such a circumstance, but who have demonstrated
academic progress, may submit a letter of appeal to the Director
of Financial Aid. These appeals will be reviewed with Dean of Student
and Academic Life. Students determined to be making satisfactory
academic progress may be granted a one semester probationary period
to meet satisfactory progress requirements.
Students may attempt to make up credits or improve their grade
point average through enrollment in winter or summer session classes.
(Although aid may not be offered for these terms.)
It is the responsibility of the student to officially notify the
Financial Aid Office of any changes to their academic standing.
(For example, credits transferred in from another institution, the
completion of incomplete grades, and the completion of summer session
classes need to be brought to our attention.) Aid cannot be awarded
until this official notification is received.
Students who have been denied financial aid because they were not
making satisfactory academic progress may again receive aid the
semester after attaining satisfactory academic progress.
Waiver Process
The Dean of Academic and Student Life may grant a waiver to Satisfactory Academic Progress when appropriate (see above). Waivers may be granted for one or two semesters (i.e. full year), depending on the circumstances of the individual student. In the case of a full year waiver, each student will be evaluated at the conclusion of the first semester by the Director of Financial Aid. Academic progress must be demonstrated in order for the waiver to be valid for the second semester. If academic progress is not demonstrated, the waiver will be invalid for the second semester.
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