Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress to Maintain Financial Aid Eligibility

SAP Appeal Form

Old Dominion University Requirements

Fulfillment of Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed and evaluated by the Financial Aid Office in compliance with federal regulations. In order to qualify for assistance through the Office of Student Financial Aid, students must be accepted by the university as degree- seeking students. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (50%) to qualify for most financial aid programs. Undergraduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer) to be considered full-time and a minimum of nine credit hours per semester to be considered enrolled three-quarters time. Half-time enrollment is six credit hours per semester, including the Summer semester, for all undergraduate students. Graduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of nine hours during either the Fall or Spring semesters or six hours during the Summer semester to be considered full-time. Half-time enrollment for graduate students is four hours during either the Fall or Spring semesters or three hours during the Summer semester. Eligibility and award amounts are based on the number of semester hours in which the student is enrolled. For purposes of financial aid, courses taken as Audit courses do not count toward enrolled hours.

The following quantitative, time factor and qualitative requirements apply to all of the financial aid programs administered by Old Dominion University with the exception of programs which are governed by state requirements for satisfactory academic progress.

I.Quantitative Requirements

To determine the full-time, three-quarter-time, and half-time eligibility status of the student, the University will use the number of semester hours for which the student is enrolled on the last day of the drop/add period of each semester.

Measurable degree progress: Undergraduate students. The student must consistently demonstrate a completion ratio of 75% of courses attempted. For example, a student who has enrolled in (attempted) 60 semester credit hours must have successfully completed (earned) 45 semester credit hours to maintain measurable degree progress for financial aid eligibility.

Graduate students. The student must consistently demonstrate a completion ratio of 80% of all courses attempted.

II. Allowable Time

All students must meet the University's standards for Regulations for Continuance found in the Academic Information section of this catalog. The maximum allowable time to be eligible for most financial aid programs for a full-time undergraduate student is five years or 10 semesters. The maximum allowable time to be eligible for financial aid for a full-time masters degree student is three years and for a full-time doctoral degree student four years. Certain additional restrictions on maximum allowable time to maintain eligibility for state grants are pending at the time of this writing.

III. Qualitative

The Financial Aid Office will conduct a review at the end of each academic year to determine the students successful progression toward obtaining a degree by comparing cumulative grade point average to hours earned. Qualitative satisfactory academic progress for undergraduate students is evaluated in accordance with the following table:

1. Undergraduate
2. Financial Aid
3. Minimum
4. Hours Earned
5. GPA  greater than a 2.00

Qualitative satisfactory academic progress for graduate students is evaluated in accordance with the following: 1.) Graduate 2.) Hours Earned Financial Aid 3.)Minimum GPA 1-up 3.00

IV. Review Policies

Following the spring semester each year, the financial aid recipient's academic status will be reviewed. If the student has not maintained satisfactory academic progress, his or her award will not be processed or will be cancelled.

The following shall be considered as credits completed:

• A through D- grades, undergraduate
• A through C- grades, graduate
• P - passing with credit

The following shall not be considered as credits completed:

• F grades
• O audit, no credit
• W withdrawal
• I incomplete
• U or WF unofficial withdrawal
• Q grades

Students who do not complete any credits, who receive a 0.00 GPA, or who do not successfully meet the satisfactory academic progress standards stated above will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Students who enroll and subsequently withdraw after the official tuition deadline and receipt of aid for two consecutive semesters are ineligible for further financial aid. This policy is not subject to appeal.

Students who drop all courses prior to the official tuition deadline will be required to return all financial aid received, including loan proceeds and including excess aid ("balance-of-aid"). Aid will be cancelled and the student will be billed for all aid received. This policy is not subject to appeal.

Students who drop/withdraw from classes prior to incurring full (100%). Tuition cost are subject to aid cancellation

V. Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension

• Once a student has been placed on financial aid suspension as a result of the routine annual review, he or she may appeal this action by submitting, in writing, a completed Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. The completed form should be accompanied by the required supporting documents from the student's advisor. Completed forms should be submitted to the student's financial aid counselor. The appeal must document (a) reasons the student did not achieve minimum degree progress requirements and (b) the student's action plan to prevent recurrence of the academic progress deficiency. The Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form packet is available from the office's web site. Note: The state (Commonwealth of Virginia) satisfactory academic progress requirements are not subject to appeal.
• The Office of Student Financial Aid will review the appeal and the student will be advised, in writing, of the decision. The decision will be based on factors that are beyond the control of the student such as documented medical factors.
• A student wishing reconsideration of a denied appeal may request reconsideration, in writing, with appropriate documentation attached, to the Counseling Services Manager, whose decision is final.
• Upon academic suspension, financial aid suspension is automatic. Academic suspension may be appealed through the coordinator of academic continuance to College Appeals Committees, if an undergraduate student, or the Graduate Appeals Committee, if a graduate student.
• Successful appeals of academic suspension (item D above) do not automatically result in reinstatement of aid eligibility. Request for consideration for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility is a separate process. The appeal (Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form packet) for financial aid reinstatement must be submitted, in writing, to the student's financial aid counselor. Consideration for reinstatement of financial aid will consist of a strict review of degree progress and the student's plan for program completion without recurrence of the deficiency.

VI. Conditions for Reinstatement

Students on financial aid suspension may be eligible for reinstatement after completion of the required number of units or GPA as stated previously. Any student who has been denied financial aid at another postsecondary institution due to academic progress insufficiency may be denied aid at Old Dominion University until that student has satisfactorily completed six credit hours (within one term) on his or her own.