Section 600: Student Affairs
601.1 Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients
Effective: October 2007
Revised: October 2007
Review Date: October 2009
Responsible Party: Registrar/Dean of Students

Policy

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Montana State University (MSU)-Northern is required by federal statute and regulation and Board of Regents policy to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy and a procedure for measuring student academic progress for financial aid eligibility purposes. To be eligible for federal and state aid programs and most scholarships and fee waivers, a student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy standards regardless of whether the student has received financial aid previously. Violation of or deficiency in any one of these standards will result in loss of financial aid eligibility.

Glossary

Caution Status: A warning status where the student will be eligible to receive aid during the next term of attendance.
Termination Status: Status where the student is NOT eligible for any further aid.
Cumulative GPA: Grade Point Average computed from all academic terms
Term: Academic semester
Appeal: A written request for an exception to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy on a case-by -case basis

Academic Levels

Freshman 1-29 credits
Sophomore 30-59 credits
Junior 60-89 credits
Senior 90+ credits

There are three (3) standards of measurement:

1. Length of Eligibility for Degree Completion
    
   For each program of study an institution must establish a maximum time frame in which a student is expected to complete his or her degree requirements. The maximum “length of eligibility” students are allowed is 150% of the average credits required for a degree or program as stated in the MSU-Northern Catalog. Examples are listed below:
    
   

   DEGREE PROGRAM	AVERAGE CREDITS REQ	150%
   1 Year Certificate	30 credits	45 credits
   Associate of Science	65 credits	98 credits
   Bachelors	124 credits	186 credits
   Masters	45 credits	68 credits

   
   The maximum “length of eligibility” includes pre-requisite classes and all attempted credits including all transfer credits, regardless of credit applicability to the students major/minor program.
   
   If extenuating circumstances prevent a student from completing his/her program of study in the allotted maximum “length of eligibility” he/she may request an extension by means of an appeal.
    
2. Credit Hour Completion
   
   All aid recipients must successfully complete no less than 67% of all credits attempted (full-time, three-quarter time, and half-time) for the term. Successful completion of classes means passing grades must be earned. Grades of F, W, I, NP, X and R do not count towards successful course completion. Two consecutive terms with less then 67% completion will result in “TERMINATION” of eligibility, and the student will receive NO further aid. Any combination of F, W, I, NR, NP, X, R grades with zero credit earned will result in immediate TERMINATION.
   
   Undergraduates: (Must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA**)
   
   

   Term Credits Attempted	Term Credits Attempted	End of Term Financial Aid Status
   Full Time (12+)	8 or more	Satisfactory
   Full Time (12+)	1-7	Caution
   3/4 Time (9-11)	6-7	Satisfactory
   3/4 Time (9-11)	1-5	Caution
   Half-Time (6-8)	4-5	Satisfactory
   Half-Time (6-8)	3-4	Caution
   Less than Half-Time (1-5)	67% of enrolled credits	Satisfactory
   Less than Half-Time (1-5)	Less than 67% of enrolled credits	Caution

   
   Graduates: (Must maintain a CUMULATIVE 3.0 GPA AT ALL TIMES)
   
   

   Term Credits Attempted	Term Credits Attempted	End of Term Financial Aid Status
   Full Time (9+)	6+	Satisfactory
   Full Time (9+)	1-5	Caution
   3/4 Time (7-8)	5	Satisfactory
   3/4 Time (7-8)	1-4	Caution
   Half-Time (6)	4	Satisfactory
   Half-Time (6)	1-3	Caution
   Less than Half-Time (1-5)	67% of enrolled credits	Satisfactory
   Less than Half-Time (1-5)	Less than 67% of enrolled credits	Caution

   
   
3. **Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA)
   1. For students who have completed less than four terms, the term GPA will be used to determine the following Satisfactory Academic Progress status. For example,
      • When a student earns below 2.0 GPA for one term he/she will be placed on a “Caution” status.
      • When a student earns below 2.0 GPA for two consecutive terms he/she will be placed on immediate “Termination.”
   2. For students who have completed four terms or more, both the cumulative and term GPA will be measured. For example,
      • When a student earns below 2.0 GPA for one term he/she will be placed on a “Caution” status.
      • When a student earns below 2.0 GPA for two consecutive terms he/she will be placed on immediate “Termination.”
      • When a student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.0 he/she will be placed on immediate “Termination.” (Federal regulations stipulate that at the end of the second academic year, the student must have at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA or immediate termination of eligibility will occur and the student will not be eligible for further funding)

Transfer Students

Transfer credits do not count in the calculation of the cumulative GPA or completion rate, but are included in the calculation of maximum “length of eligibility” for degree completion.

Re-Instatement of Eligibility

Exceptions / Appeals

Exceptions to this policy may be granted on a case-by-case basis. The student must complete a Financial Aid Appeal Form within the first two weeks of the semester and present written evidence showing why an exception is in order. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate all appeals. Reinstatement of assistance is also subject to availability of funds.

The Financial Aid Committee will make decisions regarding exceptions granted. The written documentation must include the following:

• A letter from the student explaining why an appeal should be granted.
• Documented illness of the students or student’s immediate family member, if applicable.
• Documented death of a student’s immediate family member, if applicable.
• Independent third party documentation of circumstances beyond the student’s control.
• A completed educational planning document signed by your advisor.
• A working copy of your transcript.

Extenuating circumstances that will not be considered:

• Lack of planning or self advising
• Late application for assistance

The Financial Aid Committee will review the written appeal with all documentation including the student’s academic history to determine whether the circumstances warrant approval. The student must explain in the appeal how the documented circumstances will not prevent him/her from maintaining satisfactory progress in the future.

If the appeal is approved, the student will be allowed one (1) term to restore satisfactory standing. A student, whose financial aid has been re-instated through the appeal process, may have adjustments made to their original awards, including loans, as a condition of an approval.

If the student will need more than the allowed maximum “length of eligibility” for his/her program, a written appeal for an extension must be submitted. The written request must document circumstances responsible for the extended time needed. The student must be making satisfactory academic progress at the time of the request. A signed major program sheet must accompany the request along with a working copy of the student’s transcript.

If the appeal is NOT approved, the student must successfully complete at least 6 credits with a TERM GPA of 2.00 on their own with no federal or institutional assistance except in cases for extensions of “length of eligibility”.

Consortiums (These agreements are a privilege)

Credits taken at each institution will be used to determine your Satisfactory Academic Progress as an aid recipient at MSU-Northern. Zero credits earned at either institution will result in immediate termination.

Other

It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand the standards of satisfactory progress.

Changes or revisions to this policy may be made at any time without publication or notification, due to changes in federal, state, and/or institutional regulations or policies.