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Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

To be eligible for Federal Student Aid, the U.S. Department of Education requires students to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Federal Student Aid includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Direct Stafford Loan, and Direct Parent (PLUS) Loan. Nursing Student Loan and other agencies, such as vocational rehabilitation and the ND State Grant, and several private/alternative loans also require students to maintain SAP. Students placed on warning, probation or disqualification will be notified by mail and the information will be available for students to view on their Campus Connection >Holds and/or To Do List.

Students will be evaluated the end of each term. The areas to be measured will be grade point average (GPA) that a student must achieve at each evaluation and pace of progression (to ensure completion within the maximum time frame). [NOTE: Incompletes, withdrawals, repetitions, and transfer hours accepted toward completion of a student's program count as hours attempted.]

GPA: In order to meet the minimum requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress with respect to GPA, a student will need to have an academic standing consistent with the requirement for graduation from their program at the end of the first, second, and third semesters. Students who do not have 2.0 GPA will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Students may continue to receive aid for one payment period; no appeal is necessary for this status.

At the end of the fourth semester of attendance, a student must have a 2.0 or better GPA. The student's current and cumulative GPA (including transfer credits) will be used to determine academic standing. Students who do not have a 2.0 or better GPA will no longer be eligible for aid.

PACE: In order to meet the minimum requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress with respect to credits attempted, students must complete 66.667% of the credits they attempt. This percentage will be calculated for both current and cumulative credits (including transfer credits). For example: The maximum time frame for a 128 credit hour program is (150%) 192 credits. Therefore, 128/192 is the pace of 66 2/3%. The maximum time frame for a 64 credit hour program is (150%) 96 credits; 64/96 is the pace of 66 2/3%. Students need to complete 66 2/3% of the credits attempted, regardless of enrollment status or program. Students who do not complete 66 2/3% credits attempted will no longer be eligible for aid.

Students who are approaching the maximum 192 credit limit (four-year program) or the 96 maximum credit limit (two-year program) will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Students may continue to receive aid for one payment period; no appeal is necessary for this status

UNOFFICIAL WITHDRAWALS( all F's/I's): Students who receive all failing grades or Incompletes in a given term will be automatically placed on financial aid disqualification.

APPEAL PROCESS (Effective July 1, 2011)

Students who have been placed on financial aid disqualification may appeal by requesting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. Appeals are evaluated on an individual basis. If it is determined that the student will be able to make SAP standards by the end of the next payment period or if the student is placed on an academic plan that will ensure the student will be able to meet standards by a specific point in time, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation, and the student may receive aid for one payment period. If the Director of Financial Aid denies the appeal, the student may request further evaluation from the Appeals Committee. Action taken by the Appeals Committee will be considered final. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal form is available at the Office of Financial Aid or at the website: http://www.dickinsonstate.edu > Admission > Financial Aid > Applications and Forms

Any part of this policy may be changed or revoked without notice.