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1. In accordance with 34 CFR §668.34, to be eligible for FSA funds, a student must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP), and the institution must have a reasonable policy for monitoring that progress. The Department considers a SAP policy to be reasonable if it meets both the qualitative and quantitative criteria explained in this policy. In addition, the SAP policy must be at least as strict as the academic progress policy for students enrolled in the same program of study who are not receiving FSA funds at the institution, and it must apply to all students within categories, e.g., full-time, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate students (different SAP policies may apply to different academic programs.
    
2. There are three distinct dimensions to the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards:
   1. Maintaining the minimum required GPA; and
   2. Attaining a completion rate that ensures the student completes their degree program within 150% of the published length of the program, measured in credit hours; and
   3. Completing the degree requirements within an established timeframe.
    
3. The student must meet all three standards in order to remain eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
    
4. CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE
   1. Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0, which is consistent with the institution's requirements for graduation. Grades of: W, WP, WF, INC, NC, NR, or P, are not calculated in the GPA.
   2. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0.
    
5. COMPLETION RATE (PACE)
   1. In addition to maintaining a GPA that meets the University minimum requirement, students are expected to earn cumulatively University credit for at least 67% of the classes in which they enroll. The pace of progress toward the degree will be measured by the following calculation:
        
                                                       Cumulative EARNED                                      =Earned Percentage
                                               Credits Cumulative ATTEMPTED Credits  
            
   2. Courses with a grade of F, W, WP, WF, NC, INC, are counted in the cumulative attempted credit calculation. All attempted credits count toward this limit, even if the student did not receive financial aid or have extenuating reasons for not completing the credits. Credit hours from another institution that are accepted toward the student's educational program must count as both attempted and completed hours.
      
      
6. MAXIMUM TIME FRAME
   1. Satisfactory Academic Progress also establishes a maximum time frame in which students must complete their program of study in order to remain eligible to receive financial aid. This requirement limits the number of credit hours students may attempt before earning their degree.
   2. The maximum time frame for degree completion at Rowan is 150% of the program's published length of academic program. All attempted credits count toward this limit, even if the student did not receive financial aid or had extenuating reasons for not completing the credits. All courses attempted are included in the calculation, even if the student changed majors while pursuing the degree. Transferred credits are included in the maximum timeframe.

   3. The chart below provides the maximum number of credits a student may attempt for each degree type. The maximum is 150% of the required credits for degree completion.
                                 

    7.  WITHDRAWALS, REPEATS, INCOMPLETES, REMEDIAL COURSEWORK:

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1. 1. A student's academic progress is evaluated at the end of each payment period (semester). At the time of each evaluation, a student who has not achieved the required GPA, or who is not successfully completing his or her educational program at the required pace, is notified of their SAP Status.
   2. If the student was previously meeting the SAP standards, and at the current evaluation point, fails either the GPA or Pace measurement, Rowan Financial Aid Office places the student on financial aid warning. A student on financial aid warning may continue to receive assistance for one payment period despite a determination that the student is not making satisfactory academic progress. Financial aid warning status may be assigned without an appeal or other action by the student.
   3. If at the next evaluation point, the student has not remediated their SAP standing, so that they fail either the GPA or Pace requirement, the student is placed in Financial Aid Suspension status. A student on financial aid suspension may not continue to receive assistance until the student either successfully appeals or improves their GPA and/or Pace so that they pass the SAP evaluation at the next evaluation point. In addition, students who exceed the maximum timeframe measure are immediately placed on financial aid suspension – without a period of financial aid warning.
   4. Students placed on financial aid suspension may appeal their status. Students who successfully appeal their SAP suspension status will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. A student on financial aid probation may receive financial aid, including title IV, HEA program funds, for one payment period. While a student is on financial aid probation, the institution may require the student to fulfill specific terms and conditions such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses. At the end of one payment period on financial aid probation, the student must meet the institution's satisfactory academic progress standards or meet the requirements of the academic plan developed by the institution and the student to qualify for further financial aid, including title IV, HEA program funds.
      
      

    9.  APPEALS

1. 1. Students who are placed on Financial Aid Suspension may reestablish his or her eligibility to receive financial aid, including assistance under the title IV, HEA programs. Students may file an appeal based upon the death of a relative or roommate, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances.
   2. Students who wish to appeal their Financial Aid Suspension status must complete the SAP Appeal Form with a personal statement and supporting documentation; meet with their academic advisor and complete the Academic Advising SAP Improvement Plan. The personal statement must include information regarding why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed in the student's situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. Students who fail to submit timely the documentation necessary to complete the appeal process may forfeit his or her financial aid (both federal and state).

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