What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Satisfactory Academic Progress is a qualitative and quantitative measurement of your academic work at the university.

The qualitative measurement looks at your cumulative grade point average (gpa). This is a measurement of your Academic Standing.

The quantitative measurement looks at the number of classes you've completed with a passing grade in comparison to the number of classes for which you have enrolled. This is a measurement of your Completion Rate.

The Office of Student Financial Services measures your satisfactory progress at the end of each academic year (defined as summer, fall, and spring).

 

Why is Satisfactory Academic Progress Measured?

Because St. Edward's participates in the Federal Title IV Aid programs (which include Federal Direct Student Loans as well as the Federal Pell Grant), the university is required by law to make these measurements of academic progress at least once an academic year.

Additionally, the university has tied in its own types of assistance as well as state assistance to these guidelines. As a result, all students who receive financial assistance at St. Edward's are subject to these guidelines.

 

How Does Satisfactory Academic Progress Affect My Eligibility For Financial Aid?

In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, New College students must:

• maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average
• successfully complete at least 75% of attempted coursework during an academic year
  (withdrawing from or failing a course is not considered successful completion)
• earn at least 24 credit hours per academic year if attending full-time

If you fail to meet these standards by the end of the academic year (defined as summer, fall, and spring), then you will lose your eligibility for financial assistance.

 

How Do I Measure My Satisfactory Academic Progress?

First, measure your Academic Standing.  Your cumulative grade point average (gpa) needs to be 2.0 or higher. If your cumulative gpa is below the required benchmark, then you are not making satisfactory progress.

Next, measure your Completion Rate. To do so, you will add up the number of classes you have enrolled for during an academic year and compare it with the number of classes you have actually successfully completed with a passing grade.

For example, to determine your Completion Rate for the 2012-2013 academic year, you would use your enrollment history from the Summer 2012, Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 semesters.

	Attempted Hours (A)	Completed Hours (B)
Summer
Fall	+	+
Spring	+	+
Total	=

To get your Completion Rate Percentage, divide the Total Completed (B), by the Total Attempted (A), and multiply by 100:

(B ÷ A) x 100 = Completion Rate Percentage

If your Completion Rate Percentage is less than 75%, then you are not making satisfactory progress.

 

Can Dropping Just One Class Each Semester Really Affect My Financial Aid?

A part-time student who registers for 6 hours in the fall and 6 hours in the spring and drops a class each semester will only end up with a 50% completion rate.

Similarly, a New College student who registers for 6 hours in the summer, 12 hours in the fall, and 12 hours in the spring and drops one class each semester will only end up with a 70% completion rate.

In each case, the student would lose eligibility for further financial assistance.

 

What About Failing a Class?

Not only does failing a class affect your cumulative gpa, but it also prevents the class from being counted as successfully completed. For example, a student who registers for 6 hours during a semester and fails one of those classes will end up with a 50% completion rate (and a much lower gpa).

 

What About Completely Withdrawing From All My Classes?

Complete withdrawal from classes for even a single semester immediately puts that student below the satisfactory progress benchmarks. If you are having to completely withdraw from your classes, you should meet immediately with your financial advisor in the Office of Student Financial Services.

 

If I Lose My Aid Due To Satisfactory Academic Progress, Can I Appeal?

An appeal process is available before the start of each new academic year. You will be required to complete and submit the Satisfactory Progress Financial Aid Appeal Form. The Satisfactory Progress Appeals Committee will review the information on the form and a decision will be made regarding your continued eligibility for financial assistance. Submission on an appeal form does not guarantee approval by the committee. Please note that the decision of the Satisfactory Progress Appeals Committee is final.