Policies
Qualitative Criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress
A Student must comply with the following three criteria in order to make Satisfactory Academic Progress:
- Demonstrate a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the end of each evaluation period.
- Obtain a 2.5 or higher Semester grade.
- Successfully complete a minimum of 80% of all courses attempted each semester
Standards of Academic Progress for VA Students
Students receiving VA educational benefits must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 each Semester. A VA student whose CGPA falls below 2.0 at the end of any Semester will be placed on academic probation for a maximum of two consecutive terms of enrollment. If the VA student’s CGPA is still below 2.0 at the end of the second consecutive term of probation, the student’s VA educational benefits will be terminated. A VA student terminated from VA educational benefits due to unsatisfactory progress may petition the school to be recertified after attaining a CGPA of 2.0.
Procedures
In order to ensure that students are informed of their progress on a regular and timely basis, evaluations for academic purposes are conducted as follows:
Mid-Term Reports: About the middle of each semester the dean will request a progress report from all instructors. Generally, these reports are limited to students whose work at midterm is “C” or lower. This is to ensure that the student receives a timely notification of his situation and to give the dean an opportunity to explore with the student any possible need for remedial assistance.
At the end of each semester term after grades have been posted, each student’s CGPA is reviewed to determine whether the student is meeting the above requirements. A student will be placed on FA Warning immediately after the first term in which the CGPA falls below the values specified in the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. At the end of the next term, if the student meets the minimum standards they will be removed from FA Warning and return to satisfactory status. Students on FA Warning will receive aid for the current term.
A student that continues to fail the required standards for two consecutive terms will no longer qualify for Financial Aid. The student will have the option to appeal, if the appeal is successful then they will regain Financial Aid for the period outlined in the academic plan and the student will be placed on FA Probation.
Quantitative Measure
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A student must progress through the program at a pace that will ensure successful completion within 1.5 times the program’s length. In order to meet this standard, all students must earn 80% of the credit hours attempted on each semester.
A transfer student’s accepted transfer coursework will be counted in the maximum timeframe and credit hours that count toward the student’s current program will count as both attempted and completed credits.
Successful completion of a course is defined as a passing grade. Incomplete grades are not considered successful completion until the course has been completed and the new grade has been officially recorded.
Procedures
At each evaluation period, the student’s completion percentage will be calculated to ensure it meets the 80% requirement. A student will be placed on FA Warning immediately after the first term in which the completion percentage falls below the values specified in the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. At the next evaluation period, if the student meets the minimum standards they will be removed from Warning and return to satisfactory status.
Students on FA Warning will receive aid for their term.
A student that continues to fail the required standards for two consecutive evaluations will no longer qualify for Financial Aid. The student will have the option to appeal, if the appeal is successful then they will regain Financial Aid for the period outlined in the academic plan and the student will be placed on FA Probation.
Maximum Time Frame (MTF)
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The maximum time frame for receiving aid is equal to 150% of the length of the program. For example, a program with 103 semester credits would have a maximum time of 103 X 1.5 = 154 credits attempted to complete the program. Students enrolled in this program cannot attempt more than 154 credits to complete the program. Students will be withdrawn once it is determined that they have exceeded the maximum timeframe or is not on pace to meet the MTF requirement.
All accepted transfer hours and repeat courses will count toward maximum timeframe.
Procedures
At each evaluation point the student’s completion rates are monitored to ensure they are on track to complete the program within 150% of the program length.
Program |
Semester Credits |
MTF |
Master of Divinity |
117 |
175 |
Master of Arts |
33 |
49 |
Evaluation Periods
All programs are evaluated for SAP at the end of the semester after grades are posted.
Financial Aid Probation
Policies
A student will be placed on academic probation for not meeting the standards outlined above for a second evaluation period. A student placed on academic probation is ineligible for Title IV (financial aid) funds unless a successful appeal is filed with the school Administrator. The student appeal must include the reasons for which the student failed to meet SAP and what has changed that will allow the student to make SAP at the next evaluation. If an appeal is approved, then the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and regain eligibility for that payment period or the enrollment period outlined in their academic plan.
Procedures
Once a student has been identified as not meeting SAP on the evaluation report, the FA Administrator will check the system to confirm that they are on academic probation. The student will then be notified in writing and informed of their right to appeal. If they choose to appeal, then the appeal process outlined in the Appeals Section will be followed. If they opt not to appeal, then they must make alternative arrangements to pay for the next payment period or the timeframe until they regain good academic standing.