Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

 

Federal regulations require that Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences establish policies to monitor the academic progress of students who apply for and/or receive federal financial aid. To remain eligible for financial aid, recipients are required to show satisfactory progress toward a degree according to the guidelines listed below.

All financial aid recipients must progress at a reasonable rate (“make satisfactory academic progress”) toward achieving a degree. Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences is required to apply this rule to all students applying for federal aid.

The federal government requires that Aultman College monitor the academic progress of non-recipients also. It is important to note that academic progress during any term in which students do not have financial aid will be a factor in determining eligibility for aid in subsequent terms. These standards are measured once a year at the end of every academic year (spring semester) using official grade reports from the Registrar’s Office. Students will be notified by Aultman College in writing if the minimum standards have not been met.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Rules apply for all semesters of enrollment, even when financial aid is not received. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the loss of aid until action is taken to regain eligibility.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy applies to all financial assistance programs at Aultman College including, but not limited to:

• Federal Pell Grant
• William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Stafford Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Parent PLUS)
• Federal Work Study
• Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
• The Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP)
• Institutional Aid

 

Quantitative, Qualitative, and Maximum Time Frame Requirements

Progress is measured by three standards:

• Minimum hours earned (complete 67% of credits attempted) 
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (2.0)
• Maximum time frame (150% of the credits required for a degree) 

 

Please Note: The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is separate and apart from the academic standards listed in the College catalog for your program. Please refer to specific your specific program academic policy for minimum G.P.A and grades required for successful completion and for maximum failed course attempt requirements.

 

• Quantitative:

Meet or exceed a cumulative earned 67% of cumulative attempted credit hours

Successfully complete 67% of total Aultman College enrolled according to your academic program guidelines plus transfer credits. The cumulative number of credit hours the student begins with on the eighth calendar day of all semesters is multiplied by 67%. This number represents the minimum number of credit hours the student must complete. A course is considered “attempted” if the student is enrolled in the course at the end of the drop/add period as indicated on the student academic calendar.

 

Hours Attempted            Hours Completed            Earned Percentage Calculation Standards Met 

12                                           8                                              8/12 = 67%                                          YES

16                                           11                                           11/16 = 69%                                        YES

50                                           32                                           32/50 = 64%                                        NO

48                                           40                                           40/48 = 83%                                        YES

 

• Qualitative:

Maintain grade point average (G.P.A.)

The student's cumulative grade point average will be reviewed to ensure the following minimums are met:

Maintain a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A on a 4.0 scale

 

• Maximum Time Frame

Degree Completion: Students must complete their degree in no more than 150% of the stated number of credit hours for an academic program.

Students exceeding the maximum credit hour time frame for their program are denied further student financial aid at that level and must complete their degree out of pocket. Students who lose student financial aid eligibility by failing to complete their degree within the maximum time frame may appeal. 

 

Associate Degree Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maximum of 110 (73 x 1.5) attempted semester hours

 

RN to BSN Completion Program  . . . . . . . . Maximum of 180 (120 x 1.5) attempted semester hours

 

Incompletes (I)

Do not count until the course is completed and the “I” is changed to a letter grade. Once an “I” has been changed, it is the student's responsibility to notify the Financial Aid office. Those credit hours can then be counted into the number of credit hours attempted and/or completed for the academic year during which the class was originally taken.

 

Audit (AU)

Audited courses are not eligible to receive financial aid. As noncredit courses, they are not calculated into the cumulative G.P.A and are not factored into the students’ credit hours attempted and/or completed.

 

Withdrawals/Administrative Withdrawals

Withdrawals and Administrative Withdrawals from courses after the drop/add will be counted as hours attempted but not completed.

 

Repeated Courses

Repeating coursework that was accepted as transfer credit or repeating previously passed coursework taken at Aultman College is not permitted.

 

Course failures

Course failures are counted as hours attempted but not completed. If you repeat a previously failed course, both grades will appear on your academic record; however, only the most recent grade will be used in calculating the grade point average.

 

Transfer Students

Students who transfer into the College will initially be eligible for aid. Transfer credits are calculated into the number of credits attempted but are not factored into the cumulative GPA when a student first transfers to Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Files will be reviewed at the completion of each academic year to determine the status of the student for receipt of future aid.

 

Change of Program Major within the College

Students who change their major will initially be eligible for aid. For this policy, the College will not include in the student’s SAP standing credits attempted and grades earned that do not count toward the student’s new major. At the end of each academic year (spring semester), the files will be reviewed to determine the status of the student for receipt of future aid.

 

Monitoring Process

These standards are measured once a year at the end of every academic year (spring semester) using official grade reports from the Registrar’s Office. If you fail to meet any of the above requirements, you will receive notification in writing from the College.

Students who fail to meet the minimum G.P.A. or credit standards or who have exceeded the maximum number of attempted credits will be denied future aid (financial aid suspension).

 

Financial Aid Suspension:

A student will be placed on immediate Satisfactory Academic Progress Suspension for the next enrolled semester if any of the conditions below are determined upon evaluation:

• The Cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for completed hours and/or,
• The Cumulative Completion Rate is below 67% and/or,
• The student has attempted more than 150% of the required number of credits for a degree.

While on suspension students lose their eligibility for financial aid. No aid will disburse to student accounts for terms that a student is on suspension. Students have the right to appeal a Satisfactory Academic Progress Suspension.

 

Satisfactory Academic Program Appeal

If you are in violation of the standards policy and you have mitigating circumstances that occurred during the semester, you may file an appeal with the Financial Aid Office.

 

Standards Appeal process

• Students who are below the required G.P.A. and/or have completed less than 67% of attempted credit hours may complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form to explain and document the circumstances under which the violation(s) occurred.
• Students must attach third party documentation described on the appeal form to substantiate their statements.
• Students may be in violation of more than one Academic Progress Standard. In these cases, an appeal should document and discuss how the multiple violations were affected by the situation(s) described.
• Students must meet with an academic advisor to develop an Academic Success Plan and submit the plan to the Financial Aid office.
• Documentation will be reviewed and you will be notified if your appeal has been granted or denied. If you are denied, there is no further appeal.
• If approved, your financial aid will be reinstated for the next enrolled semester. However, academic progress will be re-evaluated at the end of the semester for which the appeal was approved.
• Once you are at a 67% completion rate for all attempted courses and a 2.0 grade point average, you will go back to good standing.
• Please note:
  • Students cannot submit an appeal for the same mitigating circumstance two semesters in a row. There is no limit to the number of appeals a student can submit if they can document there are new circumstances preventing the student from making SAP. However, all new appeals are subject to the approval process.

 

Maximum Time Frame Evaluation Appeal Process

• Students will complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form.
• The student may be required to attend an Academic Success Workshop.
• Students must meet with their academic advisor and complete and submit an Academic Success Plan.
• Students should include their degree audit including a list of courses needed to graduate along with their anticipated graduation date.
• The Academic Success Plan and Academic Advisor’s signature serves as third party documentation for the appeal.
• If a student is in violation of the Maximum Time Frame Standard, and another standard (G.P.A. or the 67% completion ratio) the student would be required to complete the appeal form and provide appropriate documentation for mitigating circumstances for all violations of standards.
• If approved, your financial aid will be reinstated for the next enrolled semester. However, academic progress will be re-evaluated at the end of the semester for which the appeal was approved.
• If you are denied, there is no further appeal.

 

To Regain Eligibility

• If denied, complete the number of credit hours you are lacking and/or achieve the minimum cumulative grade point required at your own expense until standards of progress are met. Contact the Financial Aid Office when your academic progress has been restored to see if you have regained aid eligibility.