/Institutions/Middle-Georgia-State-University/json/2017-2018/The-Office-of-Graduate-Studies-Academic-Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Middle-Georgia-State-University/json/2017-2018/The-Office-of-Graduate-Studies-Academic-Catalog.json

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

It is each individual student’s responsibility to read and adhere to the Standards of Academic Progress Policy. The policy is in place because the Higher Education Act of 1965 was amended with Program Integrity regulations passed on October 29, 2010 that mandates institutions of higher education to establish a standard of satisfactory academic progress for a student who receives any financial aid. A student’s entire academic history at all schools attended including transferrable hours is reviewed at the time of entry and each semester thereafter whether or not Title IV funded aid was received to ensure compliance with the policy. The financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy should not be confused with Probation or Good Standing as defined by Middle Georgia State University (MGA) academic policies.

Components

The MGA definition of satisfactory academic progress for receiving financial aid includes the following components:

1. Grade Point Average Standards- Graduate students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative financial aid grade point average (GPA). Financial aid GPA includes all credit hours attempted at MGA and all other previously attended institutions, including learning support and repeat coursework. NOTE: Financial aid GPA may differ from your academic GPA. Also, grades not associated with quality points cannot be used to calculate GPA. They do, however, count as attempted hours.
2. PACE Standard (Quantitative) - Students enrolled at MGA must show measurable progress toward earning a degree by successfully completing a minimum of 67% of cumulative credit hours attempted. Grades of A, B, C, D, P and S count as the successful completion of a course. Grades of F, W, WF, FA, I, IP, NR and U do not count as the successful completion of a course. Transfer consortium, repeated, and learning support count as attempted hours.
3. PACE Standard (Maximum Time-Frame) - In addition to previously stated standards, student financial aid is available for up to 150% of the number of hours required to complete the specific program of study. Students who change majors or degree programs may reach eligibility limits before obtaining a degree. Students who change majors or degree programs should do so early so as not to jeopardize eligibility for student financial aid. Major changes are not considered mitigating circumstances for financial aid appeal purposes.

   Students Seeking Subsequent Degrees- Students who already have a degree and are seeking another degree will be given additional time for completion of their new program. Students may not exceed 150% timeframe for both programs. Students exceeding these hours or pursuing a 3rd degree will be placed on Suspension and must appeal to have their eligibility determined (students with this circumstance should contact the Office of Financial Aid directly).

PROGRAM	MAXIMUM ATTEMPTED HOURS ALLOWED
Graduate Degree	150% of the program’s required hours
All Other Program of Studies	Determined based on prior credentials and current program requirements

*** THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STUDY CANNOT EXTEND BEYOND COMPLETION OF COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM***

Review Process

At the beginning of your academic career at MGA and each subsequent semester the Office of Financial Aid will determine whether the student has successfully completed the minimum expected number of hours with the required G.P.A. and shown progression toward their current program of study. This review will include all hours attempted during the students’ attendance period at MGA, as well as transfer hours. SAP status is calculated at the end of each semester after grades are posted to academic history. If after this review a student is not making SAP according to Grade Point Average (qualitative) or PACE (quantitative) standards, their status will be changed to Warning and they will be allowed to receive financial aid the following term(Note: *Transfer exception below). Continued eligibility will be determined after this term. Students who become ineligible due to PACE- max-time frame component will have their aid suspended and they will not be eligible to receive additional financial aid unless an appeal is submitted and approved.