Satisfactory Progress Policy

Federal and state regulations require that University of St. Francis establish and implement a policy to measure the academic progress of degree-seeking students who are applying for financial assistance. Revised satisfactory academic progress standards, required by federal regulation through the Department of Education, are outlined below and may be referenced in the Federal Title IV, HEA Program Regulations for Standards of administrative capability and Student eligibility.

Academic Progress is monitored at University of St. Francis at the end of each semester.  Attendance during summer semesters are also monitored for satisfactory progress.  Students receiving any federal, state, institutional or funds from outside sources, must meet the following minimum standards of academic progress in order to be considered eligible for financial assistance.

Program of Study or Educational Objective:
A student must be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate at University of St. Francis.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement:
An undergraduate student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher to be eligible for continued financial assistance. A graduate student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher to be eligible for continued financial assistance.

Course Completion Rate:
A new, continuing, or transfer student must complete 75 percent of the courses attempted throughout his/her entire enrollment at University of St. Francis and comply with the academic policies outlined in the University of St. Francis catalog to remain eligible for financial assistance.

Courses in which students receive an “F” (Fail), “I” (incomplete), “W” (withdrawal), or “H” (audit) all count as attempted hours and will not count as completed courses or earned grades.  There is no distinction made between withdrawn/passing or withdrawn/failing grades.

Maximum Time Frames:
A new, continuing, transfer or graduate student must complete their academic degree program within a specified time period as described below. A student cannot receive financial assistance beyond the specified time allotted for completion of his/her program. Whether or not the student received financial assistance during each term of attendance does not alter the specified time period.

Other important items regarding maximum timeframe are noted with an asterisk (*) under the General Information section seen below.

USF measures maximum timeframe by credit hours attempted.  In most cases, completion of a Bachelors degree program at USF requires completion of 120 credit hours. Students earning a Bachelors degree must complete the academic program with no more than 150% of the attempted number of credits required for graduation (e.g. 120 X 150% = 180 credit hours). Students will not be eligible to receive financial assistance if they attempt more than 150% of their required number of credits.

In most cases, completion of a Masters Degree program at USF requires the completion of at least 36 credit hours. Students earning a Masters degree must complete the program with no more than 150% of the attempted number of credits required for graduation (e.g. 36 X 150% = 54 credit hours). Students will not be eligible to receive financial assistance if they attempt more than 150% of their required number of credits.

Financial Aid Warning:
Students who do not meet University of St. Francis Satisfactory Academic Progress for the first semester will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. While on Warning the student is eligible to receive assistance. Students on Warning are highly encouraged to seek academic assistance from their advisor, instructors or the Academic Resource Center (ARC). Students placed on Financial Aid Warning will receive official notification from Financial Aid Services regarding their status and should schedule an appointment with their Financial Aid Services Advisor to discuss their situation.

Financial Aid Suspension:
Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress for a consecutive semester will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Students on Financial Aid Suspension are suspended from all financial aid programs and may not receive any federal, state, institutional or outside assistance. Students who are suspended from financial assistance eligibility will receive official notification from Financial Aid Services. A student may not be reinstated until the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards are met or the student is approved by the appeal guidelines listed in this policy.

Financial Aid Probation:
After successful appeal, students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and are placed on Financial Aid Suspension will be placed in a category called Financial Aid Probation.  Students on Financial Aid Probation may receive an additional semester of financial assistance, and they will be reviewed after the end of each semester to determine if they are making satisfactory progress towards their education goals as outlined by the granting of the appeal.  If upon being granted the probationary status, the student subsequently fails to meet requirements, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Students on Financial Aid Suspension are suspended from all financial aid programs and may not receive any federal, state, institutional or outside assistance. Students who are suspended from financial assistance eligibility will receive official notification from Financial Aid Services. A student may not be reinstated and receive future financial assistance from USF until the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards are met or the student is approved by the appeal guidelines listed in this policy.

General Information:
Course Withdrawals: Withdrawals will be counted as hours attempted but not as earned credit.  There is no distinction made between withdrawn/passing or withdrawn/failing grades.

Incomplete Courses: Incompletes will be counted as hours attempted but not as earned credit.

Repeated Courses: Repeats will be counted as hours attempted.

*Non-Credit Remedial Courses:  Credit hours attempted for remedial coursework will count towards total hours attempted for maximum timeframe and GPA purposes.

*Credits Attempted During Summer Terms:  Any credit hours taken will be counted for maximum timeframe, percentage of hours completed and GPA purposes.

*Change Of Major/Pursuit Of Second Degree:  Changes in major and pursuit of a second degree are counted towards maximum timeframe.  If the student is sanctioned for maximum timeframe violations, the student may submit an appeal for consideration of additional eligibility.  Along with the completed appeal must be a degree plan from the student’s academic advisor outlining what credit has been accepted for their pursuit, as well as the courses needed to complete the degree.

Transfer Students: Accepted credits received from other schools for transfer students will be considered as part of the maximum time frame for University of St. Francis, even if financial assistance has never been received. Only those courses accepted by University of St. Francis will be included in determining maximum timeframe for Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Policy:
All students placed on Financial Aid Suspension due to failure to meet satisfactory academic progress have a right to appeal. In order for Financial Aid Services to evaluate your appeal, please follow the guidelines below, providing as much detailed information regarding the circumstances of the appeal. The details of the appeal must be thoroughly explained before your appeal will be evaluated. Appeals will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Students must submit the following items:

• 1. Official Letter of Appeal from the student explaining:
  • a. A written explanation of why he/she failed to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements
  • b. Educational goals while at University of St. Francis and the strategy he/she will use to attain these goals.
• 2. Official documentation from an academic advisor supporting continued financial assistance. Documentation should also outline student strategy for attaining satisfactory academic progress.
• 3. Documentation from appropriate third parties (i.e. physician or other professional person) that support the circumstances of the appeal.

Students will be notified of the appeal decision upon review by Financial Aid Services. If a student’s appeal for reinstatement of financial assistance is denied or no appeal is made, all future tuition and fee charges must be paid by the student until minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress at University of St. Francis are met.

Once suspended from financial assistance program, an undergraduate student will not be eligible to appeal again until he/she has successfully completed at least six consecutive credit hours with grades “C” or better at University of St. Francis or any other accredited institution. Courses taken at other institutions must be transferable towards the student’s program of study at University of St. Francis. Payment for these classes will be from the student’s own resources. Students who are denied appeal for the maximum timeframe (150%) are permanently suspended from financial aid eligibility for their academic program at University of St. Francis.

Once suspended, a graduate student will not be eligible to appeal again until he/she has successfully completed at least four consecutive credit hours with grades “B” or better at University of St. Francis or any other accredited institution. Courses taken at other institutions must be transferable towards the student’s program of study at University of St. Francis. Payment for these classes will be from the student’s own resources. Graduate students who are denied appeal for their academic program due to maximum timeframe (150%) are permanently suspended from financial aid eligibility for their academic program at University of St. Francis.