Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
for Financial Aid Recipients

The following is an excerpt from the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Eligibility to receive financial aid from federal Title IV aid programs requires that students maintain satisfactory academic progress. In response to requirements within the law for these programs, the University has developed this policy in addition to existing academic policies, and designated that it also extends to selected state and institutional programs of assistance.

Purpose
The intent of this policy is to

  1. ensure that students using financial aid programs are demonstrating responsible use of public funds in pursuit of their educational goals;
  2. set standards for monitoring all financial aid recipients’ course completion rates each term (or each year for dental medicine students), warning individual students when progress is so slow that financial aid eligibility may run out before completion of the degree program; and
  3. give students whose progress does not meet the standards of this policy at least one term of financial aid on a probationary basis in which to improve their academic progress (exception: a student who earns no credit during a term).

Definitions

  1. Attempted course — A course that remains on the student's record after the first two weeks of the term.
  2. Completed course/earned credit — Completed course/earned credit - A course in which a grade of A, B, C, D, or P was received. Withdrawals (WP, WF, W and UW), progress grades (PR), no credits, blank grades, incomplete grades (I), audits (AU), and failures (F) are not considered “earned credit” for meeting progress requirements.
  3. Developmental course — A course with the prefix of “AD” or numbered “OXX” (not 100-level skills courses).
  4. Financial aid — Federal Title IV programs, plus the state and institutional programs listed below.
    • Federal Pell Grant
    • Federal Perkins Loan
    • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
    • Federal Work Study
    • William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)
    • William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS Loan
    • Illinois Monetary Award Program
    • Illinois Merit Recognition Scholarship
    • Illinois Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship
    • SIUE Foundation Grant
    • SIUE Foundation Loan
    • SIUE Regular Student Employment
    • SIUE Scholarships
    • SIUE Student-to-Student Grant
    • SIUE Tuition Waiver (except graduate assistantships and selected employee waivers).
  5. Financial aid probation — A term in which a student who has been identified as not meeting one or more standards in this policy continues to receive financial aid. At the end of the term of financial aid probation, a student is expected to have improved his or her progress in order to continue receiving financial aid.
  6. Financial aid termination — A student is no longer eligible to receive financial aid as defined in this policy; normally, this is following an unsuccessful term of probation.
  7. Incomplete — A grade of “I” received for an attempted course; no credit until the course is completed.
  8. Maximum timeframe — Time limit set for receipt of financial aid that is specific to a student’s program of study. For undergraduate programs, federal law defines this limit as 150% of normal program length. This University policy sets specific timeframes for various programs of undergraduate and graduate study.

  9. Satisfactory Academic Progress/satisfactory progress — Completion of courses at a rate that meets the standards defined in this policy.

  10. Transfer credit — Course accepted for credit at SIUE from another institution.

Authority
The Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended and final regulations set by the United States Department of Education (34CFR668.16) require that institutions of higher education establish reasonable standards of satisfactory academic progress as a condition of continuing eligibility for federal aid programs. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as an exemption from the requirements of any other federal assistance the student receives, nor does this policy limit the authority of the Director of Financial Aid when taking responsible action to eliminate fraud or abuse in these programs.

Satisfactory Progress Standards
To remain eligible for financial assistance, students must:

  • Complete courses at an overall rate that will ensure graduation within the maximum timeframe;
  • Earn credit for a reasonable number of credit hours toward a degree or certificate each term;
  • Complete their developmental and incomplete courses in a timely manner;
  • Graduate prior to the maximum timeframe specific to their degree programs;
  • Maintain academic standing, usually a specific term and cumulative grade point average, consistent with SIUE academic policy.
  1. Maximum timeframe — To retain financial aid eligibility, a student must complete his or her degree program within a specified time limit, defined in cumulative attempted hours for undergraduate/graduate students and years for dental medicine students. Attempted hours for this purpose include regular and developmental course hours, as well as accepted transfer credit. Once a student reaches the maximum timeframe, he or she is ineligible for financial aid unless additional time to complete the degree is approved through appeal. Maximum time to degree is defined as follows:
    • First Baccalaureate degree - 160 attempted hours
    • Second Baccalaureate degree - 48 attempted hours
    • ERTC certificate - Six semesters
    • Master's degree (30 hour program) - 42 attempted hours
    • Master's degree (31-38 hour program) - 48 attempted hours
    • Master's degree (>38 hour program) - Maximum set individually
    • Specialist in Education - 42 attempted hours beyond Master's degree
    • Doctorate degree (not including DMD) - 87 attempted hours beyond Master's degree
    • Doctor of Dental Medicine - Four years, plus up to two years additional if approved by the School and Student Financial Aid

      A student who is unable to complete his or her degree program within these timelines may appeal for an additional term (or year for dental medicine students) of financial aid eligibility in order to complete the degree program. Special consideration will be given to a student whose attempted hours include developmental courses. Undergraduate appeals for an additional term of financial aid eligibility cannot be granted in excess of 150% of program length (1.5 times 124) or 186 hours.

  2. Overall completion rate — Completion rates reflect the rate at which students earn credit for courses attempted (e.g. a student earning credit for 9 of 12 attempted hours would have a 75% completion rate). A student must meet an increasing standard of completion as he or she moves through the degree program in order to graduate within the maximum timeframe. The 10th-day class listing is used to determine a student's attempted hours. Satisfactory completion rates for this standard are as follows:
    • 0 - 36 cumulative attempted hours
      - 60% completion
    • 36.1 - 60 cumulative attempted hours
      - 65% completion
    • 60.1 - 84 cumulative attempted hours
      - 70% completion
    • 84.1 or more cumulative attempted hours
      - 75% completion
    • Second baccalaureate cumulative attempted hours
      - 75% completion
    • Graduate degree cumulative attempted hours
      -75% completion
    • Dental Medicine — As defined by School academic policy
  3. Minimum completion within a term — A financial aid recipient is to earn credit for at least one course per term. A student who receives financial aid but does not earn credit for any courses within a term is not eligible to receive financial aid in subsequent terms. If mitigating circumstances were responsible for zero course completion within a term, a student may appeal and be granted a term of financial aid probation if adequate documentation is provided (e.g. a doctor’s statement).
  4. Incomplete grades — Students receiving excessive incomplete or “I” grades in their courses are not progressing satisfactorily. Consequently, a student who has six or more hours of incomplete in any term or at any time will be placed on financial aid probation for the next term of attendance and expected to complete the courses with “I” grades by the end of that term. A reduced course load may be recommended during the term of financial aid probation to ensure that both the courses with incomplete grades and new attempted courses can be satisfactorily completed by the close of that term.
  5. Developmental course completion — Students taking developmental courses are eligible to receive financial aid for their first 20 hours of developmental classes attempted. Developmental courses must be completed at the same rate as other courses (see overall completion rate above). A student who must attempt developmental courses beyond 20 hours may appeal to continue receiving financial aid on probation during a term in which the additional developmental courses are attempted. As part of the appeal, the student should provide a letter of support from the Director of Instructional Services.
  6. Grade point average/suspension — Students must meet the University's policy on scholastic standing, grades, and grade point average as defined in the appropriate catalog. A student who is on scholastic suspension has not maintained acceptable academic progress. Student Financial Aid initially will block that student from receiving financial aid in any subsequent term. If readmitted or reinstated, the student may appeal to receive financial aid during a term of financial aid probation.

Notification of Financial Aid Probation or Termination
The Office of Student Financial Aid will send a warning letter to any student who is put on financial aid probation, or a termination letter to any student who is no longer eligible for financial aid. The letter will be sent to the student's local address during any term of enrollment and to the permanent residence during term breaks. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current addresses with the Registrar.

Reinstatement

  1. Undergraduate student with more than 160 attempted hours and no degree — The student must appeal on the appropriate form and provide a graduation plan signed by his or her academic adviser. If the plan is considered reasonable, the student will receive financial aid on probation for one or more terms until the degree is completed.
  2. Student on financial aid probation — The student may regain eligibility in one of two ways after a term of financial aid probation:
    1. by meeting the completion standard that applies to the student after financial aid probation under this policy (e.g. at 36 attempted hours must have completed 60% of all courses attempted); or
    2. by earning in one term 12 hours' credit (or fewer if approved) and a 2.000 term average.
  3. Student with grade changes — The student can regain financial aid eligibility by notifying Student Financial Aid of the grade change, including grades posted for incomplete courses.
  4. Student previously suspended — A student loses financial aid eligibility at the time of suspension from the University and must appeal on the appropriate form to receive approval for a term of financial aid probation if reinstated or readmitted.
  5. Student terminated under prior policies or for zero completion — The student must complete at least 12 hours with a 2.000 average at his or her own expense, unless mitigating circumstances can be documented, and then may appeal to receive financial aid on a probationary basis.
Appeals
  1. A student who does not meet the undergraduate, graduate, or ERTC overall completion rates specified in this policy will be put on probation for one term following identification of unsatisfactory progress.
  2. A dental medicine student who does not complete the degree program within four years will be reviewed by Student Financial Aid and the School’s Student Progress Committee to determine whether the student can continue on financial aid probation for the fifth or sixth year.
  3. For all other purposes, a student who desires to appeal termination of his or her financial aid eligibility must appeal in writing, usually on a form designated for that purpose, to the Office of Student Financial Aid by the date indicated in the termination letter. The Director of Student Financial Aid may take action on the appeal or may forward it to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee for review. The Committee's decisions may be appealed to the Director; the Director's decisions may be appealed to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management; and the Assistant Vice Chancellor's decisions may be appealed to the Provost. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee is a subcommittee of the Financial Aid Advisory Committee, appointed by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and its membership comprises at least three faculty and staff members familiar with University academic policy. It may also have a student member who participates in general committee matters. The Committee considers in a timely manner appeals that are referred to it. The Committee normally reviews only the written record and does not conduct a hearing unless unusual circumstances warrant it. A student is encouraged to submit third party written documentation to support his or her appeal.