Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Guilford College seeks to provide a high quality educational experience for all who choose to benefit from this opportunity. Guilford College is committed to extending all possible resources in pursuit of this goal. However, students have responsibilities in regard to their educational pursuits. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the completion of course work in a reasonable time frame and with a quality of performance that meets accepted grade point standards. These benchmarks will be described in detail below.

In compliance with appropriate Federal regulations (see attached) Guilford College shall adhere to the policies stated herein for determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress compliance relative to eligibility for financial aid. This includes federal, state, and institutional funds. Certain academic awards and some endowed scholarships may require higher academic performance than this Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. Students must be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress before financial assistance can be awarded.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy Defined

A Guilford College student is maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress towards the completion of a degree if he/she is meeting standards according to the following measurements:

1. QUALITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS

   GPA of 2.0 or greater after two or more semesters of enrollment. GPA of 1.0 or greater after first semester of enrollment.

1. Academic Probation. A Guilford College student will be on academic probation if the cumulative grade-point average is below the level required for graduation: 2.00. Students placed on academic probation are not allowed any unexcused absences from classes. Their eligibility to continue at Guilford College is contingent upon earning at least a C (2.00) average during each term of academic probation. Earning a C average during a given term may not remove a student from academic probation, but it will assure eligibility to continue at Guilford. Failure to meet the conditions of academic probation will result in suspension or dismissal. Academic probation is not considered a punitive measure, but rather an indication that the student needs to make greater effort. Students on academic probation are advised to seek special counseling from their academic adviser, staff of the The Learning Commons, or from the Student Life staff to help surmount difficulties that might lead to suspension or dismissal.

2. Academic Suspension or Dismissal. If a student fails to attain a term average of C while on academic probation, the student either will be suspended for an academic year, or be dismissed for academic deficiencies. Students recording a 1.00 or lower grade-point average during the first semester at Guilford will be suspended or dismissed without a probation period. Suspended students may apply for readmission through the Associate Academic Dean after their suspension period. The Associate Academic Dean has the authority to readmit students whom the college has previously dismissed. If they are readmitted, students who have been suspended or dismissed return on academic probation. These students may become eligible again for financial aid; the returning student must file an appeal with the Student Aid and Awards Committee. Similarly, readmitted students are permitted to resume athletic participation if all eligibility standards are met.

Disciplinary Suspension or Dismissal. The Student Handbook outlines rules and regulations for disciplinary suspension or dismissal.

1. QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS
   

   1. Successful Completion of 66% of Hours Attempted for Academic Credit
      In order to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress a student must successfully complete with a grade D- or better at least 66% of all hours attempted for credit. At the end of each spring semester all enrolled students' credentials will be reviewed for compliance with this requirement. Any class enrolled in for which the student does not receive a 100% refund when withdrawing will be considered "attempted hours" for purposes of this policy. Any student who does not pass at least 66% of these attempted hours will be placed on financial aid probation. These students will be allowed to continue to receive financial assistance during the next semester of enrollment. Students failing to meet the 66% threshold during this probationary semester will not receive financial assistance in the subsequent term. Students on probation who meet the 66% threshold will continue on probation and eligible for assistance. Upon reaching a cumulative mark of hours passed equal to or greater than 66% students will be removed from Satisfactory Academic Progress probation.

   2. Maximum Time-Frame for Degree Completion
      Students are expected to enroll and satisfactorily complete the required number of credit hours for completion of their chosen degree. Federal regulations limit the maximum time frame for receipt of financial assistance to no more than 150% of the length of the academic program. Students are allowed to "attempt" a total number of credit hours not to exceed 150% of the total credit hours required for completion of their program. (At Guilford this regulation limits eligibility to 190 attempted hours. If a student exceeds this regulatory limitation, financial assistance will be discontinued.

Maximum allowable credit hours attempted includes all terms of enrollment at Guilford College:

• Semesters during which students are not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress;
• Semesters during which students are enrolled for less than half-time;
• Semesters during which students do not receive financial assistance

Note: All credit hours for which students enroll for credit during any term of enrollment are included as "attempted hours", whether or not the student successfully complete the course or officially withdraws. (Exception: Courses which a student drops and receives a 100% refund are not included in "attempted hours").

Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated on an academic year basis for determination of eligibility for assistance for the next academic year. Students on Satisfactory Academic Progress probation will be evaluated at the end of each semester or summer school term.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

Should a student have his or her financial aid eligibility revoked due to this policy, termination will continue until the student completes sufficient hours, without benefit of financial assistance, to reach the required performance threshold. Once satisfactory progress is achieved, eligibility may be re-instated for the next term. A student should request reconsideration of aid when he/she has met the satisfactory academic progress definition. Re-instatement of aid will depend on the type of funds requested and the availability of funds.

General Information

1. Transfer students: Transfer credits from other institutions are not used in determining satisfactory academic progress;
2. Incomplete Courses: Credits of incomplete courses are counted in the number of attempted hours and GPA calculations;
3. Course Withdrawals: W's are not considered in computing grade point averages. They are counted in attempted hours;
4. Withdrawal from the College: When a student withdraws from Guilford with grades of W in all courses, these courses will be counted in the number of attempted hours;
5. Audited Courses: Because students do not receive credit for audited courses, these courses are not counted as hours attempted or completed. (Financial aid is not awarded for classes taken on an audit basis);
6. Grades: In evaluating coursework for Satisfactory Academic Progress compliance, all coursework attempted for academic credit for which tuition charges are assessed will be counted in the number of attempted hours to determine the pass-rate percentage. All grades will be included in measuring the pass-rate, including W, WP, WF, F, and XF;
7. Re-admitted students: Students who return to Guilford College after an absence of one semester or more will have their Satisfactory Academic Progress status continued;
8. Enactment of Policy: This updated Satisfactory Academic Progress policy will become effective with the 2001-2002 academic year. The policy will be reviewed periodically to determine its effectiveness and compliance with Federal regulations.

Appeals of Financial Aid Termination Due to SAP Non-Compliance

To appeal financial aid termination a student must be able to demonstrate unusual circumstances affecting his/her academic performance.

1. A student must appeal, in writing, to the Director of Student Financial Assistance and Planning. This written appeal must include the reason(s) why the student did not make satisfactory academic progress and why financial assistance should be re-instated. This written appeal must be received in the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Planning within thirty days of the date of the letter of notification to the student informing the student of the termination of eligibility. Any pertinent documentation relative to the student's appeal is recommended.
2. The Director will review the appeal. This review should take place within three days of receipt of the letter of appeal. The Director will notify the student, in writing, of the decision and the reason for the ruling.
3. A student wishing to appeal the decision of the Director may do so, in writing, to the Associate Dean of Enrollment who is required to take this second appeal to the Student Aid and Awards Committee. This appeal must be received by the Associate Dean within ten days of the date of the letter in response to the first appeal.
4. The student will be advised of the Committee's decision within five days of receipt of the letter of appeal. Decisions of this Committee are final.