Financial Aid Office

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals & Financial Aid Reinstatement

  1. 1. Students applying for aid eligibility reinstatement should appeal no later than May 8th for Summer enrollment and August 3rd for Fall enrollment. There are four possible categories for appeals:
  2. Students who do not have the required minimum percent of credit hours earned but who have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and have earned at least 30 credit hours may make a one-time appeal using their cumulative GPA’s. Graduate students may use this option provide they have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and have earned at least 9 credit hours.
  3. Students who have exceeded the federal 150% limit may appeal due to a change of major or double majors. A completed “Max Hours” statement from the Department Head must be attached to the student’s appeal.
  4. Students with extenuating circumstances that can be justified with supporting documents may seek reinstatement by the Appeals Committee. Examples of extenuating circumstances (for the student or student’s immediate family member: children, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, sisters, brothers, immediate in-laws) and supporting documents are:
  • Statement from a physician or hospital indicating specific dates of prolonged illness or hospitalization.
  • Copy of obituary and death certificate or a statement from the funeral home to document death of an immediate family member.
  • Statement from an attorney or court indicating specific dates of legal problems or court appearances.
  • Statement from a facility indicating specific dates of professional counseling sessions.
  • Students who have completed a semester or summer session which allows them to meet the minimum academic standards may appeal. Students who were denied financial aid using the old SAP Policy (2004-05) may appeal.
  • Excuses based on personal choices are not valid extenuating circumstances. Examples are: pregnancy, lack of childcare, lack of off-campus transportation, employment off-campus, participation in athletic and band activities as well as other campus activities.
  • The Appeals Committee will review all appeals and will notify students of their decision. In times of critical need, the chairperson of the Appeals Committee and the Director of Student Financial Aid have the authority to approve or deny appeals.
  • The Appeals Committee has a right to deny an appeal based on a pattern of poor performance and/or withdrawals.
  • The Appeals Committee has a right to deny eligibility reinstatement after the committee determines that a student has submitted forged or altered documents. Such students will be reported to the Department of Education, Office of the Inspector General for possible prosecution. The students will be referred to the department of Judicial Affairs as well.
  • Appeal Limits:
  • Undergraduates: Maximum of three appeals (including the one-time appeal).
  • Graduates (Masters): Maximum of two appeals (including the one-time appeal)
  • Graduates (Ph.D.): Maximum of two appeals (including the one-time appeal)
  • Students who have not attended a college or university for ten years or more must submit an appeal letter for an automatic approval.
  • Appeal limits do not apply to appeals with only "maxed-out" hours

Criteria For Reinstatement of Financial Aid:

Students declared ineligible at the end of the Spring semester may use the Summer sessions as a grace period to attend and receive federal aid for the Summer sessions. Those students will have to submit an appeal for eligibility reinstatement for the next academic year (Fall & Spring). Students may attend either a Fall or Spring semester at their own expense for possible eligibility reinstatement if:

  • the appeal is denied
  • a student fails to attend Summer school
  • a student does not wish to submit an appeal.

Earning credits at one’s expense does not guarantee reinstatement of eligibility. At the minimum, students must attempt and earn 6 hours with a 2.0 semester GPA or 3.0 GPA for graduate students or earn the minimum required cumulative percentage and GPA. If the student enrolls in more than 6 hours, he/she is expected to earn all the hours attempted with a minimum 2.0 semester GPA (3.0 for graduate students). The student must submit a written appeal to the Appeals Committee requesting possible reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.

SUGGESTED STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS:

  • Avoid withdrawals and grades of “F”, or “D”, or “I”
  • Commit to earning grades of “C” and above
  • Visit the Retention Office for information on tutorial services
  • Meet with an academic adviser on a regular basis
  • Visit the Student Counseling Center for personal/emotional issues as well as ADA accommodation.
  • For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships: 1-800-761-8077 or 1-318-274-6056.

Forms & Documents: