SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY

Federal regulations require the University to establish a reasonable academic progress policy, which applicants for financial aid must meet. The policy must have a qualitative component, a quantitative component, and an overall time frame component. A student must maintain reasonable academic progress regardless of whether or not the student was a previous recipient of financial aid.

· Qualitative Measure: The University’s academic standards are the qualitative standards for this policy. Once a student’s quality point deficiency exceeds 29, financial aid is terminated. Federal Law requires that students maintain a 2.00 grade-point average after two years. Graduates are required to maintain a 3.00 grade-point average as set out in the University Graduate Catalogue. This is evaluated at the time of each application.

· Quantitative Measure: Students must pass 60% of hours attempted at UWA. This is evaluated at the time of each application.

· Time Frame: Students are no longer eligible to receive Title IV Federal financial aid after attending 6 semesters toward completion of an Associate Degree or 12 semesters toward completion of a first Bachelor’s Degree. Second Bachelor’s Degree students are allowed an additional 6 semesters. Graduate students are allowed a maximum of 6 semesters. Non-Traditional Fifth-Year students are allowed a maximum of 10 semesters. Transfer hours are included in the total hours attempted. This is evaluated at the end of each term.

· Transfer students: Students transferring to the University are assumed to be maintaining reasonable progress. Hours transferred from prior schools will be considered in establishing the class standing as well as being considered in determining the overall time frame allowed to receive financial aid. GPA’s from transfer colleges will not factor into your cumulative GPA for financial aid.

· Withdrawals: Students may withdraw from the University one time while on financial aid without penalty. Students who receive financial aid as full-time students and then drop courses have used an entire semester’s eligibility.

· Grades: Repetitions – Hours attempted are counted once and the lowest grade is deleted; Non-credit hours are not counted in hours attempted. Incompletes – The hours attempted are not counted until the incomplete is removed. Incompletes not removed the following semester become an "F" according to the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogues.

· Appeals: In order to appeal the loss of eligibility for financial aid because of failure to make reasonable progress under the quantitative, qualitative, or time frame measures, the following procedure has been established. It is imperative that the student follow the procedure as outlined below:

1. Thoroughly read the deficiency notice from Financial Aid
2. Thoroughly read the Satisfactory Progress Policy for Financial Aid
3. Download, print and complete the Request for Reinstatement of Financial Aid form.  Sign and submit it to Station # 4 to be brought before the committee.  Attach any documentation, which supports the claim and outline the steps taken to correct the lack of academic performance.
4. Receive a decision from the committee.

Reinstatement: Students who lose financial aid eligibility because of a failure to maintain reasonable progress towards a degree may reapply for financial aid after clearing the deficiency or attaining the minimum GPA.

Revised:  10/2003