Satisfactory Academic Progress

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Federal regulations require institutions to establish and apply reasonable standards of satisfactory academic progress for the purpose of awarding financial assistance under the Title IV programs authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended (CFR 668.34). Resulting from the Federal Program Integrity Rules of October 29, 2010, MTSU has revised this policy effective July 1, 2011.

MTSU complies with this requirement by monitoring each student's "overall combined" cumulative grade point average (GPA), "overall combined" pass-rate (percentage of credit hours passed divided by credit hours attempted), and "overall" maximum time frame for completion of the student's program of study. "Overall combined" is inclusive of college level and remedial / developmental coursework. "Overall" only includes college level coursework.

The federal government allows institutions flexibility to monitor academic progress for the Fall Semester of 2011 based on prior policy for coursework taken through the Summer Term of 2011 since the Summer Term is considered a cross-over period. Therefore, except for the new policy related to maximum timeframe which will be effective beginning with the Fall Semester of 2011, this revised policy will be implemented during the measurement of financial aid academic progress at the close of the Fall Semester of 2011.

This policy is applicable to Federal Title IV Programs, State Programs inclusive of the Tennessee Student Assistance Award and the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship, and various MTSU Scholarship Programs. References to financial aid within this policy apply to these programs. The following measurements apply whether or not a student received financial aid during the period(s) being measured. This policy is used to determine satisfactory academic progress for financial aid.

Students should reference the MTSU Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs as related to Academic Regulations used to determine acceptable academic standing, whether or not the student is receiving financial aid.

1. Qualitative Standard (GPA):
   
   Federal law requires that the financial aid academic standard must be at least as strict as the school's standard for students enrolled in the same educational program who are not receiving Federal Title IV assistance. Additionally, federal law requires that for programs longer than two academic years, students must have a C average or its equivalent by the end of the second year (regardless of how many credits they have accrued) or have an academic standing consistent with the requirement for graduation.
   
   MTSU elects to use the same academic standard as stated in the Academic Regulations pertinent to the undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
   
   
   1. Undergraduate students must minimally meet the academic standards as specified in the Academic Regulations section of the MTSU Undergraduate Catalog to be eligible to receive financial aid. The cumulative "overall combined" GPA includes transfer and MTSU GPA credit hours.
      
      
   2. Graduate students must minimally meet the academic standards as specified in the Academic Regulations section of the MTSU Graduate Catalog to be eligible to receive financial aid. The cumulative "overall" GPA includes both transfer and MTSU GPA credit hours.
      
      
2. Pace Standard (Percentage of Credit Hours Passed):
   
   Pace is progression toward completion of the student's program of study. Federal law requires that students must progress toward completion of the eligible program of study at a percentage rate that will allow the student to complete the program of study within the Maximum Timeframe (Refer to Section III of this policy) allowed for the program of study. At MTSU, this limitation is also applied toward state and specified institutional scholarship programs.
   
   Both undergraduate and graduate students must minimally pass 67% of their cumulative "overall combined" credits attempted to remain in "Good Standing" for financial aid. Grades of "A", "B", "C", "D", "P", or "S", including any" +" or "-" options, count as credit hours passed. All courses for credit will be counted as hours attempted including withdrawals, incompletes, repeated coursework, and coursework graded as "N", "U", "WD", "WF", "WP", and "F". "Overall combined" includes college level coursework and remedial / developmental coursework. The 67% pass rate is determined by dividing the cumulative "overall combined" number of credit hours the student has passed by the "overall combined" cumulative number of hours the student has attempted.
   
   
   1. Warning: This status is assigned to students whose Pace has fallen below the required 67%. During the semester that students are in a "Warning" status, they remain eligible for financial aid. Students will change from a "Warning" status to a "Suspension" status if a cumulative "overall combined" Pace of 67% is not achieved by the end of the "Warning" semester.
      
      Transfer students whose transcripts from prior institutions have not been received or evaluated will be placed in a "Transfer Warning" status. This status will be updated to either "Good Standing" or "Warning" once all transfer transcripts have been evaluated.
      
      
   2. Suspension: Students who have not achieved an "overall combined" Pace of 67% by the end of the semester that a "Warning" status is assigned will be suspended from financial aid for subsequent semesters. (Refer to Section X of this policy regarding the appeal process.) Students may still be eligible for emergency short-term loans, other university funds, and alternative loans during periods of suspension from financial aid.
      
      
3. Maximum Timeframe Standard:
   
   Federal law allows students to receive Title IV assistance up to 150% of the program's published length. At MTSU, this limitation is also applied toward state and specified institutional scholarship programs.
   
   
   1. Undergraduates. The maximum timeframe for the completion of a baccalaureate degree is limited to 150% of the program's published length. Most undergraduate baccalaureate programs at MTSU require 120 credit hours. Therefore, the maximum attempted undergraduate college level credit hours allowed is 180 credit hours. This timeframe limitation does not include remedial or developmental courses for which the maximum federal limitation is 30 attempted credit hours. The 180 credit hours include all transfer attempted undergraduate college level credit hours and all MTSU attempted undergraduate college level credit hours. (Refer to Section X of this policy regarding the appeal process.)
      
      
   2. Graduates. The maximum timeframe limitation for completion of a graduate degree is 150% of the program's published length as established by the Graduate Office in the MTSU Graduate Catalog. The limitation by program includes all transfer attempted graduate level credit hours and all MTSU attempted graduate level credit hours. (Refer to Section X of this policy regarding the appeal process.)
      
      
4. Repeats:
   
   Students should refer to the Academic Regulations within the undergraduate and graduate catalogs as related to how repeats are counted in the GPA calculation.
   
   For the purpose of this policy, all attempted undergraduate and graduate attempted college level credit hours are included in both the Pace and Maximum Timeframe measurements, inclusive of credit hours associated with all repeated coursework. Additionally, all attempted undergraduate remedial / developmental (R&D) coursework is included in the R&D 30 attempted credit hour limitation, inclusive of credit hours associated with all repeated R&D coursework.
   
   When determining a student's enrollment status for Federal Title IV purposes, MTSU may pay for repeated coursework through the above specified financial aid programs. However, MTSU cannot pay for more than one repetition of a previously passed course. The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program has additional rules as related to repeated coursework.
   
   
5. Additional Bachelor's Degree: Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree but are working on another undergraduate degree may be eligible to receive Federal Stafford Loans at the undergraduate limit. Students must submit a completed Request for Federal Financial Aid for Additional Coursework Form to the Financial Aid Office.
   
   A Financial Aid Counselor will allow 150% of the additional hours needed to complete an additional bachelor's degree to the existing "overall" credit hours previously attempted for the first bachelor's degree. This new value will establish the new Maximum Timeframe that the student can receive financial aid.
   
   
6. Teacher Licensure:
   
   Students who have completed an undergraduate degree and are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, for the sole purpose of attaining teacher licensure, may be eligible to receive Federal Stafford Loans at the undergraduate limit. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in required teacher certification coursework. Students must submit a completed Request for Federal Financial Aid for Additional Coursework Form and a signed copy of their Program of Study to the Financial Aid Office.
   
   A Financial Aid Counselor will allow 150% of the additional hours needed to complete the teacher licensure to the existing "overall" credit hours previously attempted for the first bachelor's degree. This new value will establish the new Maximum Timeframe that the student can receive financial aid.
   
   
7. Frequency of Review:
   
   
   1. Qualitative Standard (GPA):
      
      The Records Office reviews the GPA at the end of each semester (fall, spring, summer). Students who are academically suspended from financial aid may appeal to the undergraduate or graduate Academic Appeals Committee. The decision of the Academic Appeals Committee is final as related to this measurement.
      
      
   2. Pace Standard (Percentage of Credit Hours Passed): The Financial Aid Office reviews the completion rate at the end of each semester (fall, spring, summer). Students who are suspended from financial aid as related to this measurement may appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. (Refer to Section X of this policy regarding the appeal process.)
      
      
   3. Maximum Timeframe Standard: The Financial Aid Office reviews the maximum timeframe limitation at the end of each semester (fall, spring, summer). (Refer to Section X of this policy regarding the appeal process.)
      
8. Notification to Students
   
   
   1. Pace Standard:
      
      
      1. Warning: Undergraduate and graduate students placed in a Warning status resulting from insufficient Pace will be sent an e-mail from the Financial Aid Office notifying them of their status and the requirements necessary to return to Good Standing. During a Warning status, students will be required to achieve a cumulative "overall combined" Pace of 67% by the end of the Warning semester or will be suspended effective with the next semester of enrollment.
         
         
      2. Suspension: Undergraduate and graduate students suspended from financial aid will be sent an e-mail from the Financial Aid Office listing the number of credit hours they must pass to regain eligibility for financial aid. The e-mail will include guidance regarding the appeal process. (Refer to Section X of this policy regarding the appeal process.)
         
         
      3. Probation: Undergraduate and graduate students for whom an appeal has been approved will be notified by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee regarding the resulting status of Probation. (Refer to Section X.B.4.a). Students who maintain eligibility for financial aid by meeting the requirements of their academic plan but whose cumulative "overall combined" Pace is less than 67% at the end of the subsequent semester(s) will be sent an e-mail by the Financial Aid Office notifying them of their continued probationary status.
         
         
   2. Maximum Timeframe Standard:
      
      
      1. Undergraduate students who have 30 or less college level credit hours of remaining financial aid eligibility will be sent an e-mail from the Financial Aid Office reminding them of the credit hour limitation.
         
         
      2. Graduate students who have 12 or less credit hours of remaining financial aid eligibility will be sent an e-mail from the Financial Aid Office reminding them of the credit hour limitation.
         
         
      3. Undergraduate and graduate students who have reached Maximum Timeframe will be sent an e-mail from the Financial Aid Office notifying them of their status.
         
         
9. Reinstatement of Eligibility:
   
   A student who has lost eligibility for financial aid due to suspension or a denied appeal will be reinstated once the student has subsequently completed coursework (MTSU and/or transfer) resulting in an "overall combined" pass rate of 67% (assuming the student is otherwise eligible and also meets the Qualitative and Maximum Timeframe requirements).
   
   
10. Financial Aid Appeals:
    
    Depending on the timing of when the appeal is submitted, the appeal may not be reviewed prior to when registration fees are due for the upcoming semester. Students may need to be prepared to pay registration fees. If the appeal is approved after the semester begins, the student will be considered for financial aid, if otherwise eligible. If the student pays registration fees out-of-pocket, there is no guarantee that the appeal will be approved.
    
    
    1. Qualitative Standard (GPA): Students may appeal to the undergraduate or graduate Academic Appeals Committee. The decision of the Academic Appeals Committee is final as related to this measurement.
       
       
    2. Pace Standard (Percentage of Credit Hours Passed): Students may appeal their suspension from financial aid based on the death of a relative, injury or illness of the student, or other personal extenuating circumstances. The review of appeals is based on the merit of the written and documented extenuating circumstance(s). Students are not allowed to appeal in person.
       
       
       1. Students must submit an MTSU Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form that is available on the MTSU financial aid website (www.mtsu.edu/financialaid).
          
          
       2. Students must submit a signed personal statement (typed or neatly handwritten) explaining the extenuating circumstances (something that occurred after the beginning of questionable semester(s) that could not have been anticipated) that precluded the student's ability to meet the Pace Standard requirement. Additionally, the student must include a statement that explains what has changed about the situation that will allow the student to be academically successful during the next period of enrollment.
          
          
       3. Students must submit supporting documentation pertinent to the semesters in question. Examples include a physician's statement on official letterhead, copy of a death certificate, or signed statements on behalf of the student, etc.
          
          
       4. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee is composed of staff from the Financial Aid Office. This committee reviews financial aid appeals as related to the Pace Standard. Students will be notified by e-mail regarding the appeal decision.
          
          
          1. If the appeal is approved, the student becomes eligible for financial aid effective with the current semester (if enrolled) or for the next semester enrolled. Federal law requires that the student be placed on Financial Aid Probation and be required to have an academic plan. At MTSU, the academic plan for financial aid purposes requires that the student must pass at least 75% of coursework attempted each subsequent semester until the student achieves an "overall combined" pass rate of 67%. Once the student achieves an "overall combined" pass rate of 67%, the student regains a Financial Aid status of Good Standing and will thus be required to continue a cumulative "overall combined" pass rate of 67% for subsequent semesters or will later return to a Warning status.
             
             
          2. If the appeal is denied, the student remains on financial aid suspension. The student will be given a reason for the denial and how to regain eligibility for financial aid.
             
             
             1. If the appeal is denied based on a lack of documentation, the student has the opportunity to re-appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee and provide additional explanation / documentation.
                
                
             2. If the appeal is denied by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee for reasons other than lack of documentation or if the appeal continues to be denied by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee beyond submission of additional documentation, the student may appeal to the Loan and Scholarship Committee by requesting a Loan and Scholarship Committee Appeal Form from the Financial Aid Office. The Loan and Scholarship Committee is composed of MTSU staff external to the Financial Aid Office. Their decision is final and cannot be further appealed for one year unless the student subsequently attends MTSU and/or has subsequent transfer coursework.
                
                
                • Example 1: If an appeal is denied for the Fall Semester and the student does not attend a subsequent semester, a new appeal will not be considered until the following Fall Semester. In this example, students are encouraged to submit the subsequent appeal three months prior to the start of the following Fall Semester. However, not attending one or more semesters, in and of itself, is not sufficient reason for an appeal to be approved. Students submitting subsequent appeals should clearly demonstrate what has changed as related to the extenuating circumstances which led to financial aid suspension.
                  
                • Example 2: If an appeal is denied for the Fall Semester and the student attends the Fall Semester at his own expense and does not achieve an "overall combined" pass-rate of 67% , a new appeal can be submitted for the Spring Semester. In this example, students are encouraged to submit the subsequent appeal after grades are posted prior to the start of the Spring Semester. However, attending subsequent semesters at your own expense, in and of itself, is not sufficient reason for an appeal to be approved. Students submitting subsequent appeals should clearly demonstrate what has changed as related to the extenuating circumstances which led to financial aid suspension.
                  
                  
    3. Maximum Timeframe Standard:
       
       Federal law allows students to receive Title IV assistance up to 150% of length of program (Refer to Section III of this policy). With the exception of military credit, students will be allowed one opportunity to appeal this limitation to their Financial Aid Counselor (once as an undergraduate and once as a graduate) as related to one of the following circumstances. The decision of the Financial Aid Counselor is final.
       

       • Prior to July 1, 2011, undergraduate students were allowed a one-time extension of 24 attempted college level credit hours if they changed their major during the their junior or senior year. These students are allowed to appeal under the new policy.
         
         1. Undergraduate Transfer Coursework: Transfer students may request the Financial Aid Counselor to exclude transfer coursework with grades of "W" and "F" from consideration toward the Maximum Timeframe limitation. Students must submit a completed Request for Extension of Maximum Timeframe Form to the Financial Aid Counselor rather than the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
         
         2. Military Credit: Students may request the Financial Aid Counselor to exclude military credit that does not apply toward their program of study from consideration toward the Maximum Timeframe limitation. Students must submit a completed Request for Extension of Maximum Timeframe Form (inclusive of required documentation) to the Financial Aid Counselor rather than the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
         
         3. Undergraduate Change of Major / Concentration / Double Major: Undergraduate students who change their major, concentration, or declare a double major and wish to extend eligibility for financial aid must submit a completed Request for Extension of Maximum Timeframe Form (inclusive of required documentation) to the Financial Aid Counselor rather than the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Students will be allowed to attempt 150% of the remaining credits hours which will be added to current "overall" attempted college level credit hours to allow the student to exceed the normal 180 attempted college level credit hour limitation.
         
         4. Graduate Change of Major / Concentration / Dual Programs: Graduate students who change their major, concentration, or are enrolled in dual programs and wish to extend eligibility for financial aid must submit the Request for Extension of Maximum Timeframe Form to the Financial Aid Counselor rather than the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. The Financial Aid Counselor will exclude coursework attempted from a previous graduate program of study. At the discretion of a Financial Aid Counselor, the student may be required to obtain a Degree Plan from the Graduate Academic Advisor and/or Graduate Office. Students will be allowed to attempt 150% of the remaining credits hours which will be added to current "overall" attempted credit hours to allow the student to exceed 150% of the published length of the graduate program of study.

11. EXCEPTIONS
    
    The University may suspend a student's financial assistance through the above mentioned programs resulting from unusual circumstances that are not accounted for in this policy. Students will be notified of this decision.