Edward Waters College Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Title IV of the 1992 Higher Education Amendments requires that institutions establish a minimum standard of "Satisfactory Progress" for students. A minimum standard for "Satisfactory Academic Progress" (SAP) is defined as follows:

SAP is a measure of whether a student is progressing adequately toward completion of his or her course of study. It is determined in terms of grade point average and course completions. For a student to be eligible for Federal student aid they must meet the below qualitative and quantitative academic requirements.

Current law requires a student to maintain satisfactory progress in the course of study he or she is pursuing according to the standards and practices of the institution.

Frequency of Monitoring and Evaluation

Edward Waters College will review a student's progress at the end of each academic year. For this purpose, the Edward Waters College academic year is defined as the following:

Two semesters of 15 to 16 weeks of course work occurring between August 1 and May 31.

At the end of the Spring semester (end of academic year), the Financial Aid Office  will determine whether or not a financial aid recipient is making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward their degree and is thus qualified to receive financial aid for the next academic year. A student's progress is measured both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Courses taken during summer school (and accepted by Edward Waters College if taken at another school) may be included in determining satisfactory progress for the next term; but the student must make sure that the Financial Aid Office receives a copy of the record of courses taken and the grades received. If the removals of an incomplete grade ("I") makes the student eligible, the student must make sure that the Financial Aid Office is informed of the removal of the incomplete grade.

Qualitative Progress

Qualitative progress is measured in terms of grade points earned during the preceding semester, which are computed on a 4.00 grading system. Edward Waters College standards for maintaining qualitative progress are as follows:

• Students who have attempted between 1 – 59 credit hours must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.75 or will be placed on financial aid suspension.
• Students who have attempted 60 or more credit hours must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher or they will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students with a GPA 2.0 and above are considered in good academic standing.

Quantitative Progress

• Quantitative progress is measured in terms of attempted hours against earned hours. Financial aid recipients must successfully complete 67 percent or higher of their attempted academic year hours/courses to be in good standing. Students below 67 percent are placed on financial aid suspension.
• Students are allowed a maximum of 150 percent of their degree credit hour requirements to complete their degree. Students that do not obtain a degree prior to reaching 150 percent of attempted coursework will be placed on financial aid suspension.
• Transfer credits accepted toward the student’s degree requirements will be considered in the students quantitative measurement.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Notification

Financial aid recipients placed on SAP suspension will be notified in writing at the end of the academic year (Spring Semester) once all grades are posted. Students will receive a letter explaining the reason(s) for their suspension and provided instructions on the SAP appeal process.

Appealing Financial Aid Suspension

Students that wish to appeal their financial aid suspension must complete a Financial Aid Appeal Form (available in the Financial Aid Office) and must submit supporting documentation to substantiate their appeal. A letter from their academic advisor outlining future courses and support programs the student will obtain is encouraged to be included in the appeal.

The appeal will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee and students will be notified of their decision in writing. Appeals that are incomplete or lack supporting documentation may be rejected pending additional information.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid

Students that have their appeal Approved will be placed on financial aid probation and must successfully complete all of their coursework the following term(s). Students Denied their appeal, may request reconsideration should they have additional information or documentation supporting their re-appeal. Students that remain as Denied aid must successfully complete coursework on their own and re-appeal showing they have passing grades. The committee will take this into consideration for financial aid reinstatement.