Satisfactory Academic Progress

The federal government expects a student to pass at least 66% of all attempted hours, not earned hours. Attempted hours include all "W, WF, WP, F, N, U or I" and/or dropped courses. Students placed on Financial Aid Probation or Suspension will be notified by email. Students on probation must pass 75% of their attempted hours in the semester in which they are currently enrolled (W's and F's count in attempted hours). If the student does not pass 75%, s(he) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. All suspensions may be appealed in writing by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form (located in the Financial Aid Office and on the financial aid web site). All appeals must include documentation of any medical illness or death of family members. Financial Aid Probation or Suspension is not the same as Academic Probation or Suspension.

Below is MTSU's policy on Financial Aid Academic Progress:

Federal regulations require that all federal financial aid recipients be enrolled in a degree-seeking program and maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree to maintain eligibility. MTSU complies with this requirement by monitoring each student's cumulative grade point average (GPA), completion rate and maximum time frame for completion of a degree, consistent with the provisions of this policy. All federal financial aid programs administered by Middle Tennessee State University are governed by this policy.

Outline

I. Cumulative Grade Point Average

I. CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE

A. Undergraduate students must meet at least the minimum requirements found in the MTSU Undergraduate Catalog to be eligible to receive financial aid. The cumulative GPA includes all transfer credits and hours earned at MTSU.

B. Graduate students must meet at least the minimum requirements found in the MTSU Graduate Catalog or be approved by the Graduate Office for enrollment to be eligible to receive financial aid.

II. Completion Rate

Students must earn 66% of their cumulative credits attempted to remain eligible for financial aid. Grades of "A", "B", "C", "D", "P", or "S", including any "+" or "-" options, count as credits earned. All courses for credit will be counted as hours attempted including withdrawals, incompletes, courses repeated, and courses receiving a grade of "N", "U", "WF", "WP", and "F".

A. Probation. Students whose completion rate is greater than 50% but less than the required 66% will be placed on probation.

B. Suspension. Students whose completion rate is less than 50% of the credit hours attempted, or those previously placed on probation whose completion rate does not improve by the next review, will be suspended from eligibility for federal grants, loans and federal work-study employment. Students may still be eligible for emergency short-term loans and other university funds.

III. Time Limitations:

A. Undergraduates. The maximum time limitation for the completion of a first degree is limited to 150% of the program's published length. Most undergraduate programs require 120 hours, so the maximum attempted hours allowed is 180. This time limitation does not include remedial or developmental courses for which the maximum federal limitation is 30 hours. The 180 hours includes all transfer hours and all attempted hours. Students who change majors during their junior or senior year will be allowed 24 additional attempted hours to obtain a degree. The Records Office must have the change of major recorded prior to achieving the 180 hour limitation.

B.Graduates. The maximum time limitation for graduate students will be 150% of the standards established by the Graduate Office and published in the MTSU Graduate Catalog.

IV. Review of Progress Standards

A. Grade Point Average (GPA). The Records Office reviews the GPA at the end of each semester. Students may appeal academic suspensions to the undergraduate or graduate Academic Appeals Committee. The decision of the Committee is final.

B. Completion Rate. The Financial Aid Office reviews the completion rate annually at the end of each semester.

C. Time Limitation. The Financial Aid Office reviews the maximum time limitation at the end of each semester.

V. Notification/Appeals

A. Over 150 Hours. Students who have attempted over 150 credit hours will be sent a letter from the Financial Aid Office notifying them of the 180-hour limitation on federal financial aid.

B. Probation. Students placed on financial aid probation will be sent a letter from the Financial Aid Office notifying them of their financial aid status and the expected requirements. Each student will be allowed at least one probationary period during the course of his or her enrollment.

C. Suspension. Students suspended from financial aid will receive an email from the Financial Aid Office along with a link to print a Satisfactory Progress Appeal form. Students will be allowed to appeal their suspension if they can provide documentation of extenuating circumstances beyond their control that significantly contributed to their academic performance. Examples would include the death of an immediate family member, an extended medical illness and/or a disability. Provisions may also be made for students who have military credits that cannot be counted toward a degree. Any other circumstance not listed above must be sufficiently documented and be approved by a Financial Aid administrator and the Director of Financial Aid.

1. Financial Aid Suspension Appeals. An internal committee composed of financial aid staff reviews student appeals. Each student will be notified of the appeal decision, and if denied, what action must be taken to regain financial aid eligibility.

2. Loan and Scholarship Committee. Students who are suspended a second time or who have been denied by the internal Financial Aid Committee may appeal to the Loan and Scholarship Committee, or its designee. The Loan and Scholarship Committee is a committee comprised of faculty members, students, and administrators. Because faculty and students do not report until the start of school, students appealing to this committee may be personally responsible for paying registration expenses or signing a deferment for classes to be held.

 VI. Reinstatement of Financial Aid if Appeal Denied.

Students can attend MTSU and make up deficiencies in credit hours at their personal expense. This option is not available to students who have reached the maximum time limitation.?

VII. No Credit Hours Earned

A student who earns no credit hours for one semester will be placed on probation. A student who earns no credit hours for the last two semesters enrolled will be suspended from federal financial aid. However, the student may appeal the suspension. Please see the suspension guidelines in Section (V) (C) of this policy.

VIII. Teacher Licensure

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree and are enrolled for the sole purpose of attaining teacher licensure are eligible for loans at the undergraduate level. To receive aid, students must be enrolled at least half-time in required teacher certification coursework. Students must submit a signed copy of their Program of Study.

IX. Exceptions

The University may suspend a student's financial assistance in the event of extraordinary circumstances that are not accounted for in this policy. In all instances, the student will be notified of the appeal process.

Financial Aid News


Applying for Summer Aid 2009

Tutorial for completing the 2009-2010 FAFSA

MTSU is changing to the Federal Direct Student Loan program

Looking for the Scholarship Departments List?
Click Here

Please  Note:
Any information on this site concerning financial aid assistance at MTSU may be subject to change or corrected as necessary without prior notice.