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  7. Policy and Procedure for Satisfactory Academic Progress (Graduate Students)

Policy and Procedure for Satisfactory Academic Progress (Graduate Students)

To receive federal funds administered by the Office of Financial Assistance at Bradley University, students must be making measurable academic progress toward completion of an eligible degree program. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards are the same for all categories of graduate students including those enrolled in online programs.

Guidelines for Academic Progress

The academic year at Bradley University consists of fall, spring, and summer enrollment periods. The measurement of academic progress is made at the end of each spring semester, and the status is effective with the summer enrollment period.

Students enrolling at Bradley University for the first time (including transfers) are considered initially to be meeting SAP. Students who have been academically suspended from a Bradley graduate program and who are readmitted are not eligible for financial aid unless meeting the SAP policy. Students who are readmitted may follow the appeal policy if consideration for financial aid is desired. Students may change majors/programs, but all attempted credit hours and all earned grades will be considered as part of the evaluation of academic progress for financial aid; change of major may be considered as part of an appeal.

All periods of enrollment will be included in the measurement of satisfactory academic progress. Terms in which the student enrolled but did not receive financial aid are included in the measurement.

Qualitative Standards

Students must meet a qualitative standard of academic progress measured through cumulative grade point average. Graduate students are considered in “good standing” for academic and federal financial aid purposes if they maintain a 3.0 overall GPA. Graduate students who do not maintain 3.0 overall GPA are placed on academic probation but retain federal aid eligibility for two additional semesters so long as they have a minimum 2.0 overall grade point. The GPA review will be conducted at the conclusion of each semester.

Quantitative Standards

Students must meet a quantitative standard of academic progress measured by a percentage completion rate. Students must successfully complete 70% of all attempted credit hours. The calculation is made as follows: earned credit hours divided by attempted credit hours = completion rate (result will be rounded to closest whole number). Courses with grades of “W”, “F”, “IN”, “IP”, and repeated courses are included in attempted credit hours but are not included in earned credit hours.

Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion

The total number of credits required for degree completion will vary by program. The University catalog provides information on the number of required credits for program completion. In instances where additional research hours are required, the student’s academic advisor/department chair can indicate if the student is making satisfactory progress toward the degree objective. Students who are meeting the required 70% of attempted credits will complete degree objective within 150% of the expected time frame. Students who are pursuing a course of study with greater credit hour requirements need to notify the Financial Aid Office in order to have a review done on a case-by-case basis.

Financial Aid Probation Period

“Probation” is the status assigned to a student who fails to meet SAP standards and who has appealed and had the appeal granted. A student on financial aid “probation” may receive financial aid for one enrollment period. At that point, the student must meet SAP standards to retain their financial assistance.

Appeal Process

There may be extenuating circumstances encountered by a student which impact his/her ability to be successful during an enrollment period. These circumstances include personal injury or illness which occurs during an enrollment period, death of an immediate family member or legal guardian during an enrollment period, or other documented circumstances that were unexpected in nature and beyond control of the student. In these cases, cumulative grade point average or completion rate may decline resulting in the student not meeting the minimum qualitative and quantitative standards previously described. Students who are denied financial aid because of failure to meet SAP standards may appeal the decision. All appeals must be made in writing to the Director of Financial Assistance. They must fully explain the extraordinary circumstances which prevented minimum progress. A student whose appeal has been granted is considered to be on financial aid probation.

Policies and Procedures