Satisfactory Academic Progress for Undergraduate Students

The U. S. Department of Education mandates that institutions of higher education establish minimum standards of “Satisfactory Academic Progress” for students receiving federal and state financial aid. Piedmont University applies these standards to all applicants for federal and state financial aid such as Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), TEACH Grant, Federal Stafford loans, HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG), and Student Access Loans.

Standards

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is determined by careful evaluation of qualitative and quantitative criteria. Determination of SAP status will be made at the end of each semester.

A. QUALITATIVE CRITERIA - To be eligible for federal and state financial aid, an undergraduate student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

B. QUANTITATIVE CRITERIA (Pace) – Federal and state financial aid recipients must show measurable progress toward earning a degree by successfully completing at least sixty-seven percent (67%) of all courses required by the program of study. This standard will be applied to current and former students. Semester credit hours completed will be those courses in which a student has received a grade of A, B, C, D or P. Semester credit hours attempted will include all courses for which a student has received a grade of A, B, C, D, F, P, I, IP, NP, W, WF, or NR. Credit hours and grades for repeated courses will be used in this determination. All transfer credit hours will be evaluated towards attempted and completed rate (pace).

For example, a student who has attempted 16 credits must successfully complete at least 12 credits to meet the 67% required minimum completion rate.

C. MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STUDY AT PIEDMONT UNIVERSITY - A student accepted into an undergraduate degree program may attempt no more than 150% of the required credit hours in required courses for the degree. All transfer and repeated course credit hours will be included in the total number of attempted credit hours. Once a student exceeds the maximum length of study, they will no longer be considered making satisfactory academic progress and will not be eligible for federal and state financial aid.

For example, a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree will reach the maximum timeframe after attempting 180 credits.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Statuses

• FINANCIAL AID GOOD STANDING – Student has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, student is completing sixty-seven percent (67%) of all attempted credit hours, and student is able to graduate within 150% maximum timeframe limit.
• FINANCIAL AID WARNING – Student’s cumulative GPA dropped below a 2.0, and/or student did not complete sixty-seven percent (67%) of all attempted credit hours, and student is able to graduate within 150% maximum timeframe limit. A student is able to receive federal and state financial aid while on financial aid warning status but must meet SAP standards during that term of enrollment to remain eligible for subsequent federal and state financial aid.
• FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION – Student did not meet SAP standards while in Financial Aid Warning or Financial Aid Probation status, or it is determined that the student will not be able to graduate within 150% maximum timeframe limit or a student with a Financial Aid Academic Plan status fails to follow the plan. Student is not eligible to receive federal and state financial aid while on Financial Aid Suspension. Classes taken after losing eligibility will be at the student’s expense and will need to use funds other than federal and state financial aid. The university is responsible for calculating if a student would be meeting SAP after a future term. If it is not mathematically possible for a student to meet SAP standards while on Financial Aid Warning for the upcoming semester, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and is not eligible to receive federal and state aid
• FINANCIAL AID PROBATION - This status is only granted upon the approval of a Financial Aid SAP Appeal. Student may receive federal financial aid for one semester but must meet SAP standards by the end of that term to remain eligible for subsequent federal financial aid.
• FINANCIAL AID PROBATION WITH ACADEMIC SUCCESS PLAN - Student fails to meet SAP standards for the term in which the student is on Financial Aid Warning. This status is only granted upon the approval of a Financial Aid SAP Appeal with the condition the student follows stipulations set by the Financial Aid Office and the Academic Success Plan. The student is eligible to receive federal and state financial aid as long as the student continues to follow the academic plan. A Student’s eligibility for federal and state aid will be evaluated each semester until student meets SAP standards.
• ACADEMIC EXCLUSION - If a student is placed on academic exclusion, eligibility for federal and state financial aid will be terminated. When students are removed from academic exclusion, they must contact the Financial Aid Office to request a review of their SAP.

Incomplete grades

When an incomplete grade is finalized, it would be factored into the student’s SAP calculations at the end of the next semester of enrollment.  There will not be a retroactive change of the student’s SAP status when the grade of “I” becomes a final grade since, at the time of the SAP evaluation, the grade of “I” was a valid grade.

Reestablishing Eligibility of Federal and State Financial Aid

Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated when the student raises their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 and has achieved a cumulative completion rate of sixty-seven percent (67%) of all credit hours attempted. Reinstatement of financial aid eligibility may also occur upon approval of a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal. A student who exceeds the maximum length of study at Piedmont University (item C) may appeal if student changed program of study. However, an Academic Success Plan is needed.

If there are extenuating circumstances that prevented a student from making SAP resulting in a status of Financial Aid Suspension, it is possible to appeal to the Office of Financial Aid for a review of those circumstances as they relate to the student’s academic standing. An appeal is required for consideration of a student being placed on a probation period of one semester.

Appeals Process

A student may request consideration for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility through a formal appeal process by completing the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Form. Students will also need to go to Starfish.piedmont.edu, "Request Help" and indicate interest in completing an Academic Success Plan (ASP). A Student Success staff member will reach out and assist with completing the ASP and signing the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Form.

An appeal must be received within two weeks after the start of the term for which aid is being requested. Aid will not be awarded retroactively for a prior term in which financial aid eligibility was suspended or during which satisfactory progress was not made. Completed forms and supporting documentation may be delivered in person at the Financial Aid Office or by email through a Piedmont University email account.Appeals may result in any one of the following actions:

• Reinstatement of federal and state financial aid on probation
• Reinstatement of federal and state financial aid on an academic plan where the student will be held to specific requirements
• Denial of reinstatement of federal and state financial aid

The Financial Aid SAP Appeal Form MUST include these two components:

1. The extenuating circumstances that resulted in the student’s failure to make SAP. Acceptable circumstances on which a student could base an appeal are those that could not have been foreseen at the beginning of the semester or enrollment period, and that was completely beyond the student’s control. They could include serious injury, illness (physical or mental) of the student or an immediate family member, death of an immediate family member, financial difficulties, relationship problems, family responsibilities, or other extenuating circumstances. Appeals should include a detailed description of the applicable circumstances, along with related documentation (i.e., a statement from a physician or other healthcare provider, a report from law enforcement or social services agency, a copy of a death certificate, etc.) that supports those circumstances.
2. The positive changes that have occurred that will ensure the student can achieve SAP by the next evaluation. The student must include information regarding extenuating circumstances that will no longer exist or be an issue, as well as any additional measures that will be taken to ensure they will make SAP during the probationary semester or enrollment period if granted. The Director of Financial Aid or another designated senior member of the Financial Aid Office will review each written appeal, along with relevant academic history. The student will be notified via their Piedmont University email account of the appeal decision. A student whose appeal is approved will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one semester. While on Financial Aid Probation, a student may receive federal and state financial aid for one probationary semester or enrollment period, after which another SAP review will be conducted.

A student who fails to meet the academic requirements outlined in the Financial Aid Probation email notification, which may include the Academic Success Plan, will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. A student may appeal a second time. However, the circumstances must be unforeseen at the beginning of the term.

Maximum Timeframe Extension Appeal Process

Students have the right to request an extension of their financial aid eligibility once per degree objective should they exceed or expect to exceed the maximum credits allowed for their degree or certificate. Students will need to complete a SAP Appeal Form and include an Academic Success Plan. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval.

If an appeal is approved, coursework will be limited to courses required for the completion of the degree. In addition, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and successfully complete all courses listed on their Academic Success Plan. Failure to meet the requirements of the approved timeframe appeal will result in the suspension of federal and state financial aid eligibility.

NOTE: If a student has been academically excluded and wishes to appeal that status, the Registrar's Office should be contacted for instructions. There are two separate appeal processes for academic exclusion and financial aid suspension. The financial aid appeal will be held until the academic exclusion is resolved and the student is readmitted to a degree program. The appeal of financial aid suspension will not correct the academic exclusion. Likewise, being academically reinstated will not automatically remedy the financial aid suspension. Students should contact their academic advisor for assistance.

Federal Assistance

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is awarded to high-need students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.  The amount of the award is prorated based on the student’s expected family contribution and enrollment status. Pell Grant eligibility is limited to the equivalent of six full-time academic years.  Students attempting a double major must complete both majors during the same semester.  At any point that degree requirements are met for one degree, student would no longer qualify for Pell Grant to finish second degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

SEOG grants are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need, with priority given to Federal Pell Grant recipients Grant amounts vary, and the amount of available funds are limited.

Federal Direct Loan Programs

There are two types of federal direct loans available, subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans have no interest or payments until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled, enrolled at less than half-time or graduates. Unsubsidized loans have interest that accrues while a student is in school. The loan amount available is based on the student’s classification and other eligible aid received.

Federal Parent PLUS Loan

The PLUS Loan program is available for parents of dependent students. A parent may obtain a PLUS Loan without demonstrating financial need and may borrow up to the entire annual cost of attendance as certified by the financial aid office. The PLUS loan is based on the parent’s credit.

Federal Work-Study

This program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses and learn valuable work experience in various areas within the university. Jobs are assigned by Piedmont University’s Human Resources Office.