SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY
St. Augustine College’s Policy for Satisfactory Standards and Progress is aimed at promoting the pursuit of high academic achievement. The College's educational philosophy abides by the principle that "a student’s performance will rise to match his/her educator’s expectations."
The College policy does not imply that individual learning differences be ignored, or forced into a system of arbitrary inflexibility. The Institution is devoted to the fostering of educational achievement within a framework of realistic parameters and availability of resources. The parameters, which define policy standards, represent the minimal compliance requirements for academic and financial aid standing. Students must comply with the policy in order to maintain eligibility for participating in the financial aid programs. The "Satisfactory Academic Standards and Progress Policy" is based on students’ compliance with the policy's standards. Students' academic standing and progress will be reviewed at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. Students who have questions about academic status and/or satisfactory progress must consult with their Academic Advisors.
The Registrar’s office, on the basis of reports received from the Student Affairs Office, issues mid-term reports, which are used by advisors to monitor student performance.
The College's Satisfactory Academic Standards and Progress Policy includes two parts:
Part I: Academic Standards; and
Part II: Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility
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Part I: Academic Standards
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Students must maintain, or exceed, minimum standards for good academic standing in order to avoid Academic Warning or Academic Exclusion from the College. A student is considered to be in compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Standards Policy if his/her academic status is either in Good Standing or Academic Warning at the end of any semester. Whatever the situation regarding compliance with the policy, a minimum GPA of 2.0 must always be
met for graduation.
Cumulative GPA Measurement
The cumulative grade point average (GPA) is computed at the end of each semester on the basis of all grades, A through F, earned in College credit courses.
Grade Point Designations
Used in GPA computation: Not used in GPA computation:
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A = 4 points, counted as registered hours I = Counted as registered hours
B = 3 points, counted as registered hours V = Not counted as registered hours
C = 2 points, counted as registered hours EW = Not counted as registered hours
D = 1 points, counted as registered hours AW = Counted as registered hours
F = 0 points, counted as registered hours SW = Counted as registered hours
IF= 0 points, counted as registered hours S = Counted as registered hours
U = Counted as registered hours
NG = Counted as registered hours
T = Counted as registered hours
TU = Not counted as registered hours
The symbols "*" and "R" do not affect the registered hours’ value for the course.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average
To remain in good academic standing, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average in accordance with the schedule of the Table of Minimum Standards
for Good Academic Standing. Failure to meet these standards will result in a status designation of either Academic Warning or Academic Exclusion.
Table of Minimum Standards for Good Academic Standing
Cumulative Number Minimum Cumulative
of Registered Hours GPA
0-6 0.5
7-12 1.0
13-24 1.3
25-36 1.6
37-48 1.9
49 – above 2.0
The table indicates minimum requirements. Some programs have different standards. Refer to Additional Admission Requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work and the Respirator y Therapy program.
Academic Warning
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Students who do not achieve the minimum required GPA at the endof any given semester will be placed on Academic Warningfor the following semester. Students will be informed of Academic Warning status on the final grade report. Students in Academic Warning status are allowed to register for the following semester.
Academic Exclusion
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Students on Academic Warning who do not achieve the minimum required cumulative grade point average by the end of the warning period will be placed on Academic Exclusion.
Students who are on Academic Exclusion at the end of the spring Semester are not allowed to register until the following spring Semester. Students who are on Academic Exclusion
at the end of the fall Semester are not allowed to register until the following fall Semester.
Appeal Procedures in Case of Academic Exclusion
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To appeal Academic Exclusion status, a student must initiate a written appeal, through an Academic Advisor. The Vice President for Enrollment Management will take the case to the Appeals Committee for Satisfactory Academic Progress chaired by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The student must show either:
1. Extenuating Circumstances
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Extenuating circumstances are those beyond the immediate control of a student, which preventhim or her student from maintaining the GPA as required in the Table of Minimum St
andards. Such circumstances include, but are not limited to:
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Death in the immediate family;
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Extended (over two weeks) and documented illness of the student or a member of the student's immediate family requiring medical intervention or hospitalization; or some other health/life threatening situation; or
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Childbirth by the student or student's spouse; or
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Family problems, such as separation/divorce, or other life-changing situations.
2. Administrative Error
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There was a miscalculation of any of the factors that affect the GPA. A successful appeal will allow the student to register in the following semester
Part II: Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid
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Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid is measured using three criteria.
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Academic Progress.
Academic progress is measured using the “table of minimum standards for good academic standing.” Each term your local GPA is compared to the table and a determination is made. If your local GPA meets or exceeds the table value, you are “IN academic compliance” (IA). If your local GPA is below the minimum standard, you are “NOT IN academic compliance” (NA).
2. Satisfactory Completion Rate
Academic progress is measured using the “table of minimum standards for good academic standing.” Each term your local GPA is compared to the table and a determination is made. If your local GPA meets or exceeds the table value, you are “IN academic compliance” (IA). If your local GPA is below the minimum standard, you are “NOT IN academic compliance” (NA).
3. Maximum Time Frame.
You must complete your degree within 1 ½ times the number of hours required for the degree and program of study. If you have not yet attempted 90 hours (192 hours for BSW students) you are “IN time frame” (IT). If you exceed the maximum time frame you will be “NOT IN time frame” (NT). If you exceed maximum time frame you will need to file an appeal to review your financial aid eligibility, regardless of academic or completion rate.
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid will be computed at the end of each term, after final grades are submitted. The Financial Aid Statuses are:
Good Progress – If you are in academic progress (IA)
AND in completion (IC) your status will be indicated as (GF). If you are in your first term of attendance, you automatically start at (GF) at the beginning of your first term.
Warning – If you were in (GF) you prior term of enrollment and you end the term out of academic compliance (NA) or out of completion rate (NC), you will be placed on warning (WF). If you started the term on (WF) and end the term on (GF) you will regain (GF) status.
Appeal – If you do not regain (GF) after a term on warning, your status will be changed to “Appeal” and you will need to fill out an appeal form with an academic advisor. You will not be eligible for further financial aid until your appeal is reviewed. Appeals will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee and either approved (AA) or denied (AD). If your appeal is approved (AA) you will be allowed ONE further term to regain good progress (GF). If you do
NOT regain compliance, you must have an academic plan created by an academic advisor and approved by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Plan– If your plan is approved (PL), you will be required to perform as agreed by you, the
Financial Aid Appeal Committee and the Dean of Instruction. This plan must be reviewed EACH semester for compliance. If you are NOT in compliance, you will be “ineligible for financial aid” (XF).
Ineligible – This status is maintained and cleared by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee. You will not regain eligibility with another appeal and review.
Appeal Procedures for Maximum Time Frame Hold
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Students may file an official appeal requesting an extension of their Maximum Time Frame. An extension may be approved for students who had to enroll in remedial/developmental courses; in this case, the maximum time frame may be extended up to 30 hours.
Students who successfully appeal their Hold status will regain financial aid eligibility. Students who are unsuccessful may attend the College at their own expense, provided they meet the College's academic standards.
Transfer Students: Maximum Time Frame
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Students transferring from other colleges to St. Augustine College will have their accepted registered hours applied toward their Maximum Time Frame. Accepted hours must be completed in college level courses in which the student received a grade of "C" or better.
The Following Conditions Must Be Met To Maintain Eligibility for Financial Aid:
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Changes in the recipient's marital, credit hour or residence status must be reported to the Financial Aid Office for review and possible adjustment of awards.
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Unexpected changes in the family's financial condition should be reported to the Financial Aid Office for review and possible adjustment of awards.
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Outside aid received by applicant who is not listed on the award letter must be reported
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If the recipient is in default on a federal loan received for attendance at other institutions or owes a refund for federal financial aid received when not earned, the Financial Aid Office must be notified immediately and awards will become void, after acceptance or declination of financial aid offered and returned to the financial Aid Office.
