Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
It is each individual student’s responsibility to read and adhere to the Standards of Academic Progress. 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 students who receive any Title IV federal financial aid. The financial aid SAP policy should not be confused with Probation or Good Standing as defined by Middle Georgia State University (MGA) academic policies.
Qualitative (GPA) Component
Financial aid GPA includes all credit hours attempted at MGA and all other hours accepted for credit from previously attended institutions, including learning support and repeat coursework. that are accepted as credit to MGA. Beginning Fall 2022, the minimum acceptable GPA is based on the number of semester hours attempted, including transfer hours. NOTE: Financial aid GPA may differ from your academic GPA. Also, grades not associated with quality points cannot be used to calculate financial aid GPA. They do, however, count as attempted hours.
Graduate Students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Graduate transfer work is subject to department approval. Any approved transfer work will be considered when calculating SAP eligibility.
Quantitative (Pace) Component
Graduate Students must earn at least 67% of all attempted hours. (This may be rounded up from 66.5%)
Maximum Timeframe Component
Student financial aid is available for up to 150% of the number of hours required to complete the specific program of study. Example: If a bachelor’s program requires 120 hours, a student may attempt a maximum of 180 hours before becoming ineligible for financial aid. 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. Maximum timeframe violations are not placed on warning their first term and must appeal for aid.
Students Receiving 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).
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PROGRAM
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MAXIMUM ATTEMPTED HOURS ALLOWED
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Certificates
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150% of the certificate’s required hours
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First Associate Degree
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90 semester hours or 150% of required hours
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First Bachelor Degree
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180 semester hours
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Second Associate Degree
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150 semester hours ( 90+60=150)
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Second Bachelor Degree
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270 semester hours (180+90=270)
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Bachelor Degree Seeking Associate Degree
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240 semester hours (180+60=240)
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Graduate Degree
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150% of the program’s required hours
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All Other Programs of Study
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Determined based on prior credentials and current program requirements
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Second Graduate Degree
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Determined on Case-by-Case basis
(Ex: Second Master’s Degree, Masters to Doctoral)
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Review Process
At the BEGINNING of your first term 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 GPA 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. 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. If at the end of their first term students do not meet policy, their aid will be suspended. The student does have the option to appeal to have aid reinstated. Students who become ineligible due to Maximum-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.