Satisfactory Academic Progress: Financial Aid Probation/Suspension
Satisfactory Progress
Financial aid satisfactory academic progress is evaluated at the end of each term. Financial aid recipients are required to maintain the following standards of satisfactory progress:
- Students are required to complete the number of credits for which they received financial aid. For example, if a student received aid for 6 credits, they must complete 6 credits. Students must be at least half-time to receive financial aid (defined as 6 credits for an undergraduate student and 5 credits for a graduate student).
- Undergraduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
- Graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
- Students receiving named scholarships may be required to maintain a significantly higher GPA.
Completing the Degree in a Timely Manner
A full-time undergraduate student is expected to complete a bachelor's degree in a maximum of five years. A student enrolled less than full-time must complete a degree in a maximum of seven years.
A graduate student is expected to complete a master's degree within five years.
Financial Aid Probation
Financial aid probation is the result of one of the following scenarios.
For Undergraduate Study:
- Cummulative GPA is less than 2.0 but is at least 1.75
- Completion of less than 100% but at least 75% of credits attempted
For Graduate Study:
- Cummulative GPA is less than 3.00 but is at least 2.75
- Completion of less than 100% but at least 75% of credits attempted
The following examples would result in the student being placed on financial aid probation:
- If an undergraduate student enrolled for 12 credits and withdrew from a 3-credit course, s/he would have completed only 75% of the credits for which aid was received.
- If a graduate student registered for 9 credits and completed them all, but achieved a cumulative GPA of only 2.85.
Probation is just a warning status. Students who are on probation may still receive financial aid. Probationary students must complete three consecutive terms with 100% completion rate of all credits and achieve a GPA above the required minimum to have the probationary status removed. Students who do not complete these requirements while on probation will be placed on financial aid suspension.
Financial Aid Suspension
Financial aid suspension is the result of one of the following scenarios.
For Undergraduate Study:
- Cummulative GPA is less than 1.75
- Completion of less than 75% of credits attempted
- Students who have reached junior status (90 or more credits) must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 in courses taken at Marylhurst University.**
For Graduate Study:
- Term GPA is less than 2.75
- Completion of less than 75% of credits attempted
All Students:
- A student does not achieve the minimum GPA requirement or 100% of credits attempted during current probationary term
The following examples would result in the student being placed on financial aid suspension:
- If an undergraduate student enrolled for 12 credits and withdrew from 6 credits, they would only have completed 50% of the credits for which aid was received.
- If a graduate student registered for 9 credits and completed them all, but achieved a cumulative GPA of only 2.65.
- A student who is currently on financial aid probation who enrolls for 6 credits and does not complete 6 credits.
Suspension results in all financial aid being suspended. This includes all federal, state and institutional aid and most outside scholarships and alternative loans.
Appealing Suspension Status
Students placed on financial aid suspension status and denied financial aid have the right to appeal. To appeal financial aid suspension a student must submit a written appeal to the Director of Financial Aid. The appeal should include the following information:
- A statement in the student's own words explaining why s/he failed to achieve the required credits and/or required GPA.
- The actions the student will take, or has taken, to correct or prevent the situation from reccurring.
- If the appeal involved a medical reason, documentation from a doctor indicating the student is cleared to return to school and the medical condition will not prevent the student from being successful in the future.
If the Director of Financial Aid denies the appeal, the student can take the appeal to the Academic Dean. Appeal forms will be enclosed with suspension notices and are also available in the Financial Aid Office.
**Undergraduate students who have reached junior status (90 credits) with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 cannot appeal suspended status. To regain eligibility, the student must raise his or her cumulative GPA to 2.0. This is a federal regulation and cannot be appealed to the Director of Financial Aid or to the Academic Dean.