The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires colleges and universities to define and enforce standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all students receiving federal assistance. The financial aid definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress differs somewhat from standards for academics as stated in this catalog.
All full and part-time students receiving federal financial aid must be in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress. These standards, defined below, must also be met for students to receive state aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester by the Registrar and Director of Student Financial Aid. At the end of each semester, students will be evaluated and notified if they are not meeting SAP requirements. The first semester a student does not meet SAP requirements they are placed on Financial Aid Warning. At the end of the following semester if a student is still not meeting SAP requirements they are then placed on Financial Aid Suspension
Students on Financial Aid Suspension are not eligible for any financial aid until they meet SAP requirements or an appeal is approved. SAP appeals are reviewed and decided by the Appeals Committee. Students whose appeal is approved will then be placed on Financial Aid Probation.
To be eligible to continue to receive federal and state aid, a student must maintain these grade point averages (GPA):
| Hours attempted | Minimum GPA |
|---|---|
| 0-15 | 1.5 |
| 16-30 | 1.6 |
| 31-45 | 1.7 |
| 46+ | 2.0 |
*Transfer grades are calculated for students who are identified with a possible negative SAP status.
A student receiving financial aid must demonstrate measurable progress toward the completion of his or her degree program by maintaining an overall rate of progress of 67 percent. This applies to both full time and part time financial aid recipients. The rate of progress is calculated using the following formula: hours earned, divided by hours attempted.
The maximum time for completion of degree requirements for students receiving aid is 150% of the credit hours required to complete their degree. Baccalaureate programs must be completed within twelve semesters. Associate degree programs must be completed within six semesters.
A student who does not meet these criteria will not be allowed to receive further federal or state aid until the student’s cumulative performance at Reinhardt meets or exceeds these standards when reviewed at the end of the following semester checkpoint.