Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Both Federal statutes and U.S. Department of Education regulations require institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for students receiving federal aid.  In addition, all state program regulations (Frank O’Bannon Grant, Twenty-First Century Scholars, etc.) require students to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria established for federal student aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress means a student is proceeding in a positive manner toward fulfilling degree or certification requirements.  Satisfactory Academic Progress consists of two components of measurement, quantitative and qualitative, which measure:

• Pace – Minimum Overall Completion Rate (67%)
  • Overall Earned Credit Hours >= .67 x Overall Attempted Credit Hours
• Timeframe – Maximum Total Attempted Credit Hours (150%)
  • Undergraduate:  192 overall attempted credit hour maximum (128 credit hours x 150%)
  • Undergraduate:  180 overall attempted credit hour maximum (120 credit hours x 150%) for students with program of study associated with 2013-14 catalog year
  • Graduate:  90 overall attempted credit hour maximum (60 credit hours x 150%)
• GPA – Minimum  cumulative GPA (range 1.5 to 2.0)
  • Based on grade classification

A student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress status is reviewed at the end of each semester, including the summer term.

1. Pace – Minimum Overall Completion Rate Percentage (67%)
Number of overall earned credit hours must equal at least 67% of overall attempted credit hours.

Purdue University North Central students must complete at least 67% (two thirds) of the total cumulative credit hours attempted.  For example, a student who has attempted a cumulative total of 60 credit hours must have successfully completed at least 40 credit hours to meet the requirement (60 x .67 = 40.20; round decimals to whole numbers).  Note:  Repeating courses that have already been passed with a grade of D or better will decrease the Pace (Completion Rate). 

The chart below shows whether a course with a specific course grade or course registration status is included when determining PACE completion rate (attempted and/or earned credit hours) or in the GPA calculation.

Grade	Course Registration Status	Counted in Attempted Credit Hours	Counted in Earned Credit Hours	Counted in GPA Calculation
A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, S, P	RE, RW	Yes	Yes	Yes
F, E, I, IF, PI, SI, IX, N, NS, U		Yes	No	Yes
Incomplete – once grade assigned		Yes	Yes	Yes
CR (department credit)		Yes	Yes	No
TR (transfer credit)		Yes	Yes	No
	AU, AW, DC, DD, DW	No	No	No
W, WF	WA, WC, WD	Yes	No	No
	Non-Credit Courses	No	No	No
	Repeat Courses (grade removed from prior course)	Yes	Yes	Yes
	Courses taken as part of financial aid consortium	Yes	Yes	No

Pace (Completion Rate) Warning Status

A review of cumulative attempted credit hours is conducted at the end of each semester.  Failure to complete at least 67% of the total hours attempted will result in Pace (Completion Rate) WARNING Status for the next semester of enrollment.  Students will be notified if placed on Pace (Completion Rate) WARNING Status via PNC email and through self-service Banner (SSB).  Students must raise their cumulative credit completion rate to 67% or higher or aid will be denied the subsequent semester.

2. Timeframe – Maximum Total Attempted Hours Percentage (150%)
Maximum of 192 attempted credit hours allowed for a 128 credit hour program
Maximum of 180 attempted credit hours allowed for a 120 credit hour program

Student financial aid is available for up to 150% of the number of hours required to complete the degree program.  For most undergraduate programs of study this provides up to 192 attempted semester hours for student financial aid recipients to complete a 128 semester hour program or 180 attempted semester hours to complete a 120 semester hour program.  Students in undergraduate programs of study requiring more hours may have their eligibility for student financial aid extended proportionately upon appeal.  All hours attempted and hours accepted in transfer by Purdue University North Central, including those for which the student did not receive financial aid, as well as all credit hours included as part of an approved financial aid consortium agreement, count toward the 150% maximum total attempted hours.

Note:  During the last semester of eligibility a student may only receive financial aid for the total number of credit hours remaining in their maximum timeframe.

Students who have reached the maximum number of attempted credit hours allowable for their program of study may no longer be eligible for student financial aid.  In addition, if it can be shown that the student will not be able to complete an undergraduate degree within the 150% maximum timeframe student aid may be revoked.

Degree Program	Maximum Attempted Credit Hours (Timeframe)
Associate’s Degree (71 credit hour program)	107 credit hours
Bachelor’s Degree (128 hour program)	192 credit hours
Bachelor’s Degree (120 hour program)	180 credit hours
Master’s Degree (60 hour program)	90 credit hours

3. GPA
Minimum overall cumulative GPA requirement based on grade classification

Students must maintain the following cumulative grade point average (GPA) dependent on their grade classification to maintain aid eligibility.

Classification Code	Classification	Credits	Minimum Required Cumulative GPA
1	1st semester freshman	0 – 14	1.5
2	2nd semester freshman	15 – 29	1.6
3	1st semester sophomore	30 – 44	1.7*
4	2nd semester sophomore	45 – 59	1.8*
5	1st semester junior	60 – 74	1.9
6	2nd semester junior	75 – 89	2.0
7	1st semester senior	90 – 104	2.0
8	2nd semester senior	105 +	2.0
GR	Graduate	1+	3.0

*A minimum graduation index of 2.0 is required at this level for students pursuing an Associate Degree

GPA Warning Status

A review of cumulative GPA is conducted at the end of each semester.  A student shall be placed on financial aid GPA WARNING Status for one semester if his/her cumulative GPA is less than that required as shown in the GPA chart above.  Students will be notified via PNC email and self-service Banner (SSB) if placed on financial aid GPA WARNING Status.  Students are still eligible for federal, state, and Purdue University North Central-controlled aid while on GPA WARNING Status.  A student on GPA WARNING Status shall be removed from that status at the end of the semester if he/she achieves the required cumulative GPA.  If unable to obtain the required GPA aid will be denied the subsequent semester. 

Warning Status:  Students failing to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards will be placed on Financial Aid WARNING for the following semester during which time they remain eligible to receive student financial aid.  Students who fail to achieve the Quantitative and/or Qualitative component(s) of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy during their WARNING period lose their eligibility for financial aid for the subsequent semester.  A student shall be removed from the Financial Aid WARNING status at the end of the semester if he/she achieves the required Satisfactory Academic Progress Qualitative and Quantitative standards.  Note:  There is no WARNING status for students approaching TIMEFRAME maximum; however a separate email will be sent and a message will be posted to self-service Banner (SSB) to advise students that they may be approaching the maximum TIMEFRAME for receipt of financial aid.

Notification:  The Financial Aid Office will notify students of their Satisfactory Academic Progress status at the completion of each semester, including the summer term, via the student’s Purdue University North Central email address and/or their personal email address, if available.  Letters will also be mailed to students placed in an INELIGIBLE status.  Students may also monitor their Satisfactory Academic Progress status and watch for messages from the Financial Aid Office regarding their status via self-service Banner (SSB).

Student financial aid recipients who fail to maintain the Quantitative and/or Qualitative component(s) of the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy due to an extenuating circumstance beyond their control such as serious injury or illness involving the student, or death of an immediate family member, may submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Office explaining their circumstances.  Students must submit supporting documentation with the appeal which confirms their circumstances.  Priority deadline for submitting an Appeal is the end of the 2nd week of classes for the semester.

Note:  Depending on the timing of the appeal it is possible for a student to have an appeal denied and also not be entitled to a refund of charges if the student must withdraw from classes.  In other words, a student who enrolls and attends class whose appeal is subsequently denied will be eligible for a refund of charges based solely on Purdue University North Central’s Refund Policy.

Probation Status

A student whose appeal is approved is placed on a Financial Aid Probation status for the following semester AND is required to work with his/her academic advisor or faculty mentor to complete an ACADEMIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT and develop an academic plan that moves the student toward meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Qualitative and Quantitative standards.

Students with a Financial Aid Probation status are REQUIRED to meet the following conditions during their Financial Aid Probation period in order to be eligible to receive financial aid for the subsequent semester:

• Semester GPA must be equal to the cumulative GPA standard
• Semester PACE completion rate must equal 67% or higher
• Other conditions as outlined on the student’s ACADEMIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT and academic plan developed by their academic advisor or faculty mentor

Students who MEET the objectives outlined in their Academic Advisor Assessment and academic plan, along with meeting the semester GPA requirement and semester PACE completion rate during their Financial Aid Probation period remain eligible to receive financial aid.  Students must remain on an academic assessment until they once again meet all Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

Students who FAIL TO MEET the objectives outlined in their Academic Advisor Assessment and academic plan, the semester GPA requirement  and the semester PACE completion rate during their Financial Aid Probation period become ineligible to receive student financial aid and can only regain their aid eligibility once they are again meeting all Satisfactory Academic Progress Quantitative and Qualitative standards.
A student is eligible to submit only ONE Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal as an undergraduate, and ONE as a graduate student. 

Other than when an appeal is approved for unusual or mitigating circumstances and a student is placed on a Financial Aid Probation status, a student may re-establish eligibility by taking action that brings the student into full compliance with the qualitative and quantitative components of the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.  A student may be awarded Federal Pell Grants, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and state financial aid (Frank O’Bannon Grant, Twenty-First Century Scholarship, etc.) for the payment period in which the student resumes Satisfactory Academic Progress or as the result of an approved appeal.  For Federal Direct Loans the student regains eligibility for the entire period of enrollment in which the student again meets Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.  Other rules and regulations governing federal and state financial aid still apply.

Academic Re-Admission:  University approval of Academic Re-Admissions does not supersede Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

Additional Bachelor’s Degree:  Students pursuing an additional Bachelor’s Degree who have not earned an advanced degree (Master’s or Professional) may be eligible for a maximum of 90 additional semester hours of aid eligibility.  The 67% completion rate standard still applies.

Additional Master’s Degree:  Students pursuing an additional Master’s Degree may be eligible for a maximum of 40 additional semester hours of aid eligibility.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Changing Majors:  Students who change majors or degree programs during the academic year are strongly encouraged not to withdraw from any classes as doing so could impact their ability to meet the 67% PACE Completion Rate requirement and also put them at risk of exceeding the 150% maximum timeframe.  Students who decide to change majors or degree programs should do so early in their academic career so as not to jeopardize their eligibility for student financial aid.  Students who change majors or degree programs must appeal if additional time is needed to complete their program.

Consortium or Study Abroad Courses:  Hours enrolled in Consortium or Study Abroad courses are included in determining a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress status.  Students may be required to provide the Financial Aid Office with a copy of their grade report or academic transcript as these courses are included in the 67% and 150% calculations.

Excessive Elective Courses:  Students taking an excessive number of elective courses may have their financial aid eligibility revoked as these courses will not contribute to making satisfactory academic progress toward earning a degree.

Incomplete Courses:  Students should notify the Financial Aid Office when a final grade is received. 

Independent Study:  If grades for an independent study course are not entered prior to the end of the semester the student must contact the Financial Aid Office when the grades are entered for re-evaluation of their Satisfactory Academic Progress status.

Repeat Courses:  All courses that are retaken to improve a grade are counted in attempted hours but only one passing grade is counted toward the PACE completion rate.

Students Seeking Dual Bachelor’s Degrees:  Students enrolled in two Bachelor’s degree programs at the same time must still meet the 150% standard for completing their degrees and are not eligibility for additional hours of aid eligibility.  The 150% is calculated based on the degree requiring the most hours.  Contact the Financial Aid Office.

Undergraduate Transfer Students:  Undergraduate transfer students are subject to the 67% PACE Completion Rate and the 150% Maximum Total Attempted Hours Percentage requirements.  All hours attempted while enrolled at Purdue University North Central and all transfer hours accepted by Purdue University North Central are included in Satisfactory Academic Progress status determination.  In addition, all courses counted as part of an approved Financial Aid Consortium Agreement will be included in the PACE 67% and TIMEFRAME 150% calculations.

This policy pertains to applicants for federal, state of Indiana, and Purdue University North Central-controlled aid programs, including most student loan programs.  If you have any questions about the policy or the appeal process, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (219) 785-5460.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Degree Audit