Appendix: Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Students

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Students Financial Aid Recipients

A student receiving Federal Title IV financial aid or other financial aid directly administered or certified by the college must maintain satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of a certificate or degree program of study. Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid recipients is measured by both quantitative and qualitative standards and is an assessment of a student’s cumulative academic record at the college.

A student must successfully complete a percentage of the credits (earned credits/attempted credits) s/he attempts. All attempted credits resulting in either an academic grade or administrative transcript notation will be included in the quantitative calculation. Incomplete courses, course withdrawals, course repetitions, and noncredit remedial courses (with appropriate credit equivalency evaluation) will be included in this assessment. Transfer credits will be counted as attempted and earned credits in the calculation for determining satisfactory academic progress. A student must also maintain a cumulative minimum grade point average to be making satisfactory academic progress and be eligible to receive financial aid.

Academic Requirements

Certificate Standards

Degree Standards

A student’s cumulative academic history will be evaluated prior to each term’s financial aid disbursement. This policy will be used to evaluate full-time and part-time students.

Communication

A student will receive notification prior to the start of a period of enrollment via email that will describe any changes to the status of their academic progress. Updates to academic progress standing will also be made available to students through the use of myCommNet online access (http://my.commnet.edu).

Financial Aid Warning

Any student who fails to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standard will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. The Warning period will be the student’s next semester or period of enrollment at the college. The college will communicate the Warning status to the student and inform the student that s/he must meet the academic progress standard by the end of the subsequent enrollment period in order to maintain eligibility to participate in the financial aid programs at the college.

Termination

Any student who fails to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standard at the end of the Warning period will become ineligible from the financial aid programs at the college. The college will communicate the Termination status to the student and inform the student of the available Reinstatement and Appeal Process.

Maximum Credit Hours

A student may receive student financial aid for any attempted credits in his/her program of study that do not exceed 150% of the published length of the student’s educational program at the college. For example, a student enrolled in a 60-credit degree program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 90 attempted credit hours. Similarly, a student enrolled in a 30-credit certificate program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 45 attempted credit hours. Any attempted credits at the college must be included in the calculation. This 150% maximum credit hours rule is applicable to students who change majors or who pursue a double major.

Reinstatement Policy

A student’s financial aid eligibility will be automatically reinstated at such time as the student meets the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements. Reinstatement to the financial aid program may also occur upon a successful appeal by the student.

Appeal Process

A student may appeal the status of not making satisfactory progress under unusual circumstances. Generally, such circumstances would be related to a death, illness or extraordinary circumstances that resulted in the student’s inability to complete their course work. A formal appeal process is required and involves supplying valid documentation and an appeal process form which can be obtained in the financial aid office. Appeal applications are approved or denied by the Director of Financial Aid. After a decision has been reached, students may request an additional review by the Dean of Student Services.