Introduction
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress in 1980, mandates that institutions of higher education establish standards of satisfactory progress for all students receiving financial aid.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout makes these standards applicable to all Title IV federal student financial aid, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Family Education Loan Programs (Stafford, PLUS), Federal College Work-Study, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. These standards also apply to state student assistance programs, such as the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant, and the Minnesota SELF Loan program, Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP), Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant, Talent Incentive Program (TIP) and Wisconsin Native American Grant.
Satisfactory Progress
Satisfactory Progress is defined as the relationship of total credits attempted to actual credits completed with a passing grade (earned). A student (undergraduate or graduate) must successfully complete 66% of credits attempted to be considered making satisfactory progress.
Credits Attempted
Credits attempted includes all courses that are part of the student's official record on the last day of the semester, regardless of the grade received, with the exception of certain variances pertaining to credits in relation to aid received. Repeated courses will count as credits attempted each time the course is taken. Courses in which an I or IP grade (incomplete) is received are not counted as credits attempted. Audit course work is not considered when calculating financial aid or satisfactory progress.
Credits Completed
Credit hours that are satisfactorily completed include all course work attempted in which the student received a passing grade.
Maximum Time Frame
The maximum time frame for which a student may receive financial aid is based on credits attempted, including all transfer credits accepted and the student's program. Undergraduates and Graduates must complete their program within the maximum time frame of 150% of the program length. In addition, the maximum time frame to receive financial aid while completing a second undergraduate degree is 93 credits. For a second masters degree, the maximum credits allowable is 150% of credits to completion of their first masters degree program.
Other Credits Earned
Credits earned by exam or additional awarded credits will be counted as credits attempted and will be included when determining satisfactorily completed credits.
Progress Warning
Progress is measured each semester and summer session. Students who receive financial aid and do not successfully complete 66% of the attempted credits at the end of a Fall semester and Summer will be sent an advisory notice warning that they are not earning the proper number of credits. Students will be able to continue to receive financial aid for the subsequent semester. Students nearing the 150% of program length are also sent an advisory notice.
Financial Aid Ineligibility
Action will be taken at the close of every Spring semester to determine each student’s eligibility to receive financial aid for subsequent enrollment periods. Students who fail to meet the satisfactory progress standards at the conclusion of this term will be declared ineligible for financial aid. Students do not have to receive a warning before action is taken to deny financial aid.
Financial aid may be reinstated after a student has earned sufficient credits to meet the satisfactory progress standard, or if due to extraordinary circumstances, such as serious illness, death of a family member, a student was unable to meet the satisfactory progress standards, the student may submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Office.
For students declared ineligible due to having been enrolled beyond the maximum time frame, a letter of appeal and a completed program plan must be submitted.
In either case, financial aid may be reinstated only upon successful appeal. All appeals must be completed in writing and submitted to the Financial Aid Office.
Appeals
Appeals pertaining to financial aid ineligibility are to be made to the Financial Aid Office. The Financial Aid Office will respond in writing. Appeals will result in either financial aid reinstatement or financial aid denial. Students whose appeals are approved will be on a contracted financial aid status. Contracted student progress will be monitored at the end of every term. Students who fail to meet the terms of their contract will be denied further aid. Submission of an appeal does not imply reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. Evidence of multiple appeals will be a factor in determining reinstatement or denial.
Required GPA
In addition to maintaining satisfactory progress, all undergraduate students receiving financial aid are required to maintain a grade point average consistent with the Undergraduate Probation and Dismissal Regulation.
When the Dean of Students readmits a student, that student will be considered meeting the grade point requirement for financial aid purposes. All graduate students are required to maintain the required grade point average described in the current Graduate Bulletin.