Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards set by the university. Students are normally expected to complete their undergraduate degree within eight semesters. Mount St. Mary’s University is not obligated to continue institutional aid to a student who requires more than eight semesters to complete degree requirements. However, students are considered to be making satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements, and thus are eligible for federal aid, if they earn credits and achieve cumulative quality point averages according to the following schedule:

A financial aid recipient who fails to maintain the appropriate standard will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester. Notification of such will be made, in writing, by the director of financial aid and will include the minimum requirements needed to maintain future eligibility.

The student will maintain eligibility for federal aid for one semester while on probation. However, by the end of the probationary semester, the student must achieve the required standard as listed above. (For example, a student who does not meet the minimum requirements after two semesters will be placed on probation. At the conclusion of the third semester, the student must have achieved a minimum of 33 credits and a 1.6 cumulative grade point average.) Failure to do so will result in the loss of eligibility for federal aid.

A student who loses eligibility for federal aid may appeal this decision. The appeal will be heard by the dean of academic services, the director of financial aid and the assistant director of financial aid. The student will be asked to document any extenuating circumstances such as severe illness, severe injury or the death of a relative.

A student will regain eligibility for federal aid by achieving the required standards listed above.