Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Applicants

Federal regulations require that Kent State University review the academic progress of students who apply for and/or receive federal financial aid, whether they are a previous aid recipient or not.

A. Programs affected:

  1. Federal Programs Affected
    1. Federal Pell Grant
    2. Federal Perkins Loan
    3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
    4. Federal Work-Study Program
    5. Nursing Student Loan Program
    6. Federal Stafford Loan (Subsidized, Unsubsidized)
    7. Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized)
    8. Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students
  2. Other Programs Affected - Applicants for the following programs are also subject to this policy:
    1. Teacher Leadership Consortium Loan
    2. Veteran’s Education Benefits State Grant programs such as the Ohio Instructional Grant and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Grant are governed by the Standards of Academic Progress established by the respective state.

B. Academic enrollment status - Federal financial aid will be awarded based on the following enrollment criteria:

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
12 or more credit hours = full time
9-11 credit hours = three-quarter time
6-8 credit hours = half time
1-5 credit hours = less than half time

GRADUATE STUDENTS
8 or more credit hours = full time
6-7 credit hours = three-quarter time
4-5 credit hours = half time

C. Academic requirements - Satisfactory academic progress will be checked prior to the initial receipt of financial aid and at the end of the Spring semester.An evaluation may also be conducted after each semester or prior to disbursement of loan funds.Applicants for federal programs listed in Section A must maintain the following standards of academic progress:

  1. Grade point average (GPA).
    All undergraduate students at Kent State University must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (cumulative GPA) in order to be eligible for federal student aid. The following grades will count toward the GPA calculation: A, B, C,D, F (including pluses and minuses in all instances listed below).
  2. Percentage completion.
    1. Freshmen undergraduate students (0-29 hours attempted) must complete a minimum of 60% of the total hours attempted each year.
    2. Undergraduate students who have attempted at least 30 hours must complete a minimum of 75% of the total hours attempted each year. For example, for the 2000-2001 award year, the transcript record for Summer 99, Fall 99, and Spring 00 semesters will be reviewed.
    3. Percentage completion will be calculated by dividing Earned Hours by Attempted Hours. Earned Hours include grades of A, B, C, D, Y, S. Attempted Hours include grades of A, B, C, D, F, Y, Z, S, U, AU, NA, NR, IP, IN, W. Audit hours will not count toward eligibility for federal aid.
    4. Students attending only one semester will be evaluated on one semester’s work. Audit hours will not count toward percentage completion.
  3. Hours attempted.
    1. Undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree may be considered for federal financial aid to a maximum of 150 attempted hours. Undergraduate students pursuing an Associate degree may be considered for federal financial aid to a maximum of 80 attempted hours.
    2. Attempted Hours include grades of A, B, C, D, F, Y, Z, S, U, AU, NA, NR, IP, IN, W. Transfer hours, developmental, repeated, Freshman Forgiveness and General Forgiveness hours will be included in the hours attempted calculation. In accordance with Federal regulations, undergraduate aid cannot be awarded to those students attempting credit hours beyond 150% of published credit hour requirements to complete the degree program.

D. Post undergraduate/graduate non-degree/under-graduate nondegree eligibility.

  1. Undergraduate non-degree students are ineligible for federal financial aid programs.
    1. Undergraduate non-degree students who are Transient students must submit a Consortium Agreement which can be obtained at the student financial aid office in order to be considered for federal financial aid programs.
    2. In order for an undergraduate non-degree student to become eligible for federal financial aid, the student must enroll in a degree program by contacting their college or school office.A copy of the Declaration of Major Form must be submitted to the student financial aid office with the notification letter.
  2. Post-undergraduate students and graduate non-degree students must submit a completed Program of Study form signed by an advisor for academic determination of eligibility for federal financial aid.
    1. Federal financial aid available to post-under-graduate and graduate non-degree students is limited to Federal Direct Loan programs (Subsidized and Unsubsidized). Loans are available only to students who are enrolled in teacher certification programs, or who will receive a second Bachelor’s degree or an Associate degree, or who are enrolled in prerequisite coursework required for admission to a graduate or professional degree program. At least half-time enrollment (6 hours) must be maintained to qualify for loans.
    2. Graduate non-degree students and post-undergraduate students who are taking required prerequisites for admission to graduate or professional programs are permitted to receive federal financial aid for a maximum of one year.

E. Dual Degree / Combined Undergraduate / Graduate Programs.

  1. Once a student has completed requirements for a Bachelor’s degree, (whether or not the student has been officially recognized by the University as graduated), the student is no longer eligible to receive aid as an undergraduate.
  2. Students enrolled in Combined Undergraduate / Graduate programs will be awarded financial aid as follows:
    1. At the graduate level for students who have been awarded a graduate assistantship
    2. Student can not receive undergraduate aid for graduate courses.
    3. Students can not receive graduate aid for undergraduate courses unless the course is required for the graduate degree.

F. Transfer Students
Transfer students will be eligible for federal aid through the Spring semester of the year of transfer, when satisfactory academic progress will be measured. Transfer hours will be included in the number of hours earned and attempted.

G. Appeals

  1. Kent State University financial aid applicants who do not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be notified by the student financial aid office. Students may appeal the denial of financial aid by submitting an appeal form with supporting documentation which describes the extenuating circumstances which resulted in non-compliance with the GPA, percentage completion, or hours attempted regulation. Appeals criteria will be evaluated by the Academic Progress Appeals Committee. Examples of extenuating circumstances are medical problems, death of a family member, work-related problem, divorce, etc. Supporting documentation should be included with the appeal form.
  2. Students who have exceeded maximum Hours Attempted must submit a graduation evaluation from the college or school office which lists the remaining requirements for the degree program and projected graduation date. During certain times of the year, academic personnel may not be able to provide timely evaluations. Start this process early.
  3. The student financial aid office will respond in writing with the decision of the academic progress appeals committee within 30 days, and that decision is final.
  4. Dismissal by the University overrides any decision made by the Academic Progress Appeals Committee.
  5. Students who do not appeal will not be eligible for federal financial aid programs for the award year until their academic record is once again in compliance. When this occurs, please notify the student financial aid office by submitting an appeal.

H. Miscellaneous

  1. Students are encouraged to review their financial aid status prior to withdrawing from courses or exiting the University.
  2. Students are encouraged to avail themselves of academic advising prior to registration each semester, both within the college or school office as well as with faculty advisors within the major.
  3. Abuse policy: Students who consistently abuse the academic progress policy will be denied eligibility for federal student aid.

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