SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS FOR FINANCIAL AID
A student must make satisfactory academic progress in order to qualify for federal (Title IV) financial aid. Amridge University complies with the satisfactory academic progress requirements established by the federal government for students who receive federal financial aid.
Satisfactory academic progress standards at the University include:
- a qualitative measure (cumulative grade point average)
- a quantitative measure/pace of progression (maintaining measurable progress toward the completion of the degree program)
- a reasonable time-frame for degree completion
For financial aid purposes, satisfactory progress is determined by the following guidelines:
- In order to satisfy the qualitative measure, students receiving federal financial aid must maintain the required cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of their degree program as listed in this policy. Financial Aid’s required CGPA is the same as the institution’s academic CGPA. Transferred course credit hours, withdrawn course credit hours are not figures in the CGPA calculation. The only courses considered in the CGPA calculation are the courses which are non-transferred and taken while enrolled in the current degree program. Transferred courses include all courses taken externally to the current degree program, whether taken at Amridge University or at other institutions.
- In order to satisfy the quantitative measure/pace of progression, students must successfully complete over 66 percent of all credit hours attempted. Repeated courses, transferred courses which are applied to the current degree program and courses from which the student withdrew on or after the first day of the semester (cumulative attempted hours) are included in the hours attempted calculation. This measure becomes effective for undergraduates when a student has completed three semesters. For graduate students this measurements begins with their first semester. Students who repeat courses, withdraw from courses to an excessive degree or take courses which are not related to their degree requirements jeopardize their satisfactory progress and may be subject to loss of eligibility for financial aid.
- The maximum time-frame for a student to complete a degree program must not be longer than 150 percent of the published length of the program in credit hours as listed in the Amridge University Academic Catalog. Cumulative attempted semester hours are included in this calculation. Any student who exceeds this limit will no longer be eligible for state or federal financial aid. The Financial Aid Office will notify the student who exceeds the 150 percent requirement. Students who repeat or withdraw from courses to an excessive degree or who take courses not related to their degree requirements jeopardize their satisfactory academic progress and may be subject to loss of eligibility for financial aid.
Academic progress is reviewed by the University’s Financial Aid Office at the end of each semester. The measurement is cumulative, not just over the preceding semester. Failure to meet the qualitative or quantitative measure of satisfactory academic progress requirements will result in the student being placed on financial aid warning for a period of one academic semester. A student’s financial aid eligibility continues during the time of financial aid warning. Failure to reach both the qualitative and quantitative standards of satisfactory academic progress during the period of warning will place the student on financial aid suspension. The student will remain on financial aid suspension until such time as the student’s CGPA and course completion measurements both meet the stated requirements. A student placed on such suspension will not be eligible to receive federal or state financial aid. A student placed on financial aid suspension may appeal the suspension in accordance with the University’s Standard Appeals/Grievance Process specified in Section 7 – Student Rights and Responsibilities of the Amridge University Academic Catalog. The Financial Aid Office will notify all students who are failing to meet satisfactory academic progress.
FINANCIAL AID PROBATION
Students who are able to demonstrate through their written appeal that they will be able to make satisfactory academic progress by the end of the next payment period or who have an approved financial aid academic plan will be placed on financial aid probation. Students who are making satisfactory academic progress during the probationary period and/or who are complying with the conditions of their approved financial aid academic plan will retain federal fund eligibility. A financial aid academic plan cannot continue for more than three semesters.
Failure to meet both the qualitative and quantitative standards of satisfactory academic progress during the probationary period will again place the student on financial aid suspension and the student will be ineligible for federal aid. The student will remain on financial aid suspension and will be ineligible for federal aid until such time as the student’s CGPA and course completion measurements both meet the stated requirements. The Financial Aid Office will notify all students who are failing to meet satisfactory academic progress.
The maximum time-frame for an undergraduate student to complete a degree program must not be longer than 150 percent of the published length of the program in credit hours as listed in the Amridge University Academic Catalog. Cumulative attempted semester hours are included in this calculation. Any undergraduate student who exceeds this limit will no longer be eligible for state or federal financial aid. The Financial Aid Office will notify the student who exceeds the 150 percent requirement. Students who repeat or withdraw from courses to an excessive degree or who take courses not related to their degree requirements jeopardize their satisfactory academic progress and may be subject to loss of eligibility for financial aid.
REQUIRED CGPA’S BY DEGREE
Associate Degree………………………………………………………… 2.0
Bachelor Degrees………………………………………………………… 2.0
Master of Arts Degrees………………………………………………… 3.0*
Master of Science Degrees…………………………………………… 2.0
Master of Divinity Degrees
Ministerial Leadership……………………………………………… 2.0
Marriage and Family Therapy………………………………….. 3.0
Professional Counseling…………………………………………… 3.0
Master of Divinity……………………………………………………. 3.0
Doctoral Degrees…………………………………………………………. 3.0
* A grade of 3.0 is required for each course taken in specified MA degree programs.
