In order to receive Federal Student Aid, the U.S. Department of Education requires that students maintain satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their degree. Federal Student Aid includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National SMART Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Stafford Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Federal Grad PLUS Loan and Federal PLUS Loan. Also, other Federal Agencies may require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for their aid programs. The academic record of all students will be monitored to ensure compliance with the requirements specified below. Therefore, even the academic record of those who have not received Federal Student Aid in the past may impact future eligibility. Failure to meet the following standards will result in financial aid suspension of eligibility for Federal Student Aid.

Qualitative Measures

Undergraduate Students
An undergraduate student must meet minimum academic progression standards.  These standards are based on the student’s cumulative grade point average and term grade point average.   The term grade point average is based on credits earned during a given term.   The cumulative grade point average includes all credits earned.  All audited coursework is excluded from this calculation.  Making satisfactory academic progression is as follows:

1. A student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is considered to be in good academic standing.
2. If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 in any academic term (i.e. fall, spring, summer), the student is placed on financial aid probation the following term.
3. While on financial aid probation, the student must earn a term grade point average of 2.0 or better.
4. When a student on financial aid probation achieves a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better, the student is returned to good academic standing.
5. A student on academic probation who fails to maintain a term grade point average of 2.0 or better is placed on financial aid suspension for a minimum period of two academic terms.

A review takes place at the end of every term (fall, spring, summer).  A student placed on academic suspension is also placed on financial aid suspension.  Being reinstated academically does not guarantee financial aid reinstatement.  The student must separately appeal the financial aid suspension as outlined below (Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension).

Graduate Students
A graduate student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

Quantitative Measures

In order to maintain satisfactory progress toward the completion of their degree, all students must successfully complete 67% of cumulative attempted credit hours.  Attempted credit hours include all hours that would appear on a student’s academic transcript at the end of any given term, including withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, remedial coursework, transfer hours and hours attempted at any time when not receiving Federal Student Aid.  Audited coursework is not included.  Hours that may have been part of a successful academic amnesty appeal will still be included.  Successfully completed hours for both graduate and undergraduate students include grades of A, B, C, D and P.  All other grades would not be considered successful completion.  Evaluation of this quantitative standard will be measured at the end of each term.

Maximum Attempted Credit Hours

The U.S. Department of Education has established a limit on the number of credit hours a student can attempt and still remain eligible for Federal Student Aid.  This limit is based on 150% of the credit hours needed to complete the degree for which the student is pursuing.

Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension

Students who have had their eligibility for Federal Student Aid suspended may complete an appeal form to explain mitigating circumstances. There is no guarantee for approving a financial aid eligibility appeal. Such appeals will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Appeal forms are available in the Mount Marty College Financial Assistance Office or on the Mount Marty College Financial Assistance website. To ensure a timely review, students should make an appeal at least one month in advance of the start of the term for which they wish to receive aid. Being reinstated academically does not guarantee financial aid reinstatement.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

Students who have lost their Federal Aid eligibility, but have subsequently met the qualitative and/or quantitative standards as stated above, will have their aid eligibility reinstated. Reinstatement will be considered effective with the next term of attendance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Non-Federal Aid

There are also non-federal sources of financial assistance (institutional, local, private, state), which may require students to meet satisfactory academic progress standards. Students who apply for non-federal forms of aid are advised to review their academic standards in order to determine or ensure continued eligibility. Mount Marty College institutional aid has the same Financial Aid Suspension guidelines as stated above.