Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy to Maintain Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal regulations require that all financial aid recipients progress at a reasonable rate (“make satisfactory academic progress”) toward achieving a certificate or degree.

Progress is measured by:

1. The student’s cumulative grade point average
2. The number of credits earned in relation to those attempted
3. The maximum time frame allowed to complete the academic program

This requirement applies to all terms regardless of whether or not the student received financial aid. Progress is reviewed annually, at the end of the academic year. For students in a One Year Certificate program, progress is evaluated after the first semester.

Students who do not meet the standards of satisfactory progress at the end of the academic year will automatically be placed on financial aid probation for the following semester. Financial aid may still be received during the probation period. At the end of the probation period the student must again be making satisfactory academic progress as outlined above or financial aid will be terminated. Students will be removed from financial aid probation if they are again making satisfactory academic progress.

Repeated Classes: Classes in which the student received a grade of “F” may be repeated and may be eligible for financial aid. In specific degree programs, certain classes that require a “C” as a minimum passing grade may be repeated and may be eligible for financial aid if the student previously received a “D” in that class. Any other classes that are repeated will not be included in the total number of credits for the semester when determining financial aid eligibility. Credits attempted in repeated classes will be included in the cumulative credits attempted.

Withdrawn Classes: Dropped or withdrawn classes count towards the cumulative credits attempted. However, if a student drops a class during the first four weeks in a semester, it does not count towards the cumulative credits attempted unless the student completely withdraws from school. Students may retake classes from which they have withdrawn. When retaken, these classes will be included in the total number of credits for the semester when determining financial aid eligibility.

Incomplete Classes: Incomplete classes do not earn credit but influence grade point average as an Incomplete F (“IF”). A grade of “IF” is assigned to any classes that are incomplete at the end of the semester. Incomplete classes either remain an “IF” grade if not completed or change to a different letter grade if completed. These credits count in the credits attempted for the semester in which the student was registered for the class.

Audit Classes: Audit classes receive no credit and do not influence grade point average. They are not counted in credits attempted and are not eligible for financial aid.

Remedial Classes: Remedial classes will be included in the total number of credits for the semester when determining financial aid eligibility.

Pass/Fail Classes: Pass/Fail classes are not calculated in the cumulative GPA but will be included in credits attempted.

Transfer Students: Transfer credits are calculated into the credits attempted, but are not factored into the cumulative GPA when a student first transfers to North Central. If a transfer student is not meeting the minimum GPA requirement when progress is evaluated, transfer credits will be calculated into the cumulative GPA. GPA of transferred credits will continue to be used in the GPA calculation from that point.

Summer School: Students attending in the summer semester will have satisfactory academic progress evaluated at the end of the semester, which would be the end of their academic year.

Financial Aid Probation: Students may receive financial aid for the semester they are on probation. If they fail to meet the necessary satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of their probation semester, their financial aid will be terminated until they have regained satisfactory progress status. When a student has been placed on financial aid probation for a semester and has successfully completed that semester, that student will be removed from financial aid probation.

Financial Aid Termination: Financial aid termination will result in the loss of all federal, state and institutional aid, including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. If a student successfully completes a semester without receiving financial aid and meets the satisfactory academic progress requirements, the student will then regain financial aid eligibility.

Readmitted Students: If a student is placed on financial aid probation or termination status and does not return the following semester, they would be given the same status if they return at a later date. When a student withdraws or is dismissed from North Central and is later readmitted, the semester in which they withdrew or were dismissed is included when the student’s satisfactory academic progress status is evaluated.

Amendments to Policy: This policy will be amended whenever applicable federal or state laws or regulations are changed. Upon approval of the President and the Financial Advisory Committee, the Financial Aid Director is authorized to incorporate and implement changes required in this policy by federal or state law or regulations. The Financial Advisory Committee is to be appraised of these changes. Other amendments to the policy, not required by changes in law or regulations, will be considered through the revision procedures of the Financial Advisory Committee.