Satisfactory Academic Progress

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Federal regulations governing the student financial assistance programs stipulate that in order to continue to be eligible for Title IV funds (e.g. Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work Study) students must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, students must achieve both a required minimum grade point average (GPA) and complete a minimum number of credit hours. Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA.

* In addition, full-time students must meet a minimum of 75% of credit hours attempted during the Fall and Spring semesters, part-time students must earn ALL credits attempted during an academic year.

As per federal regulations, all coursework is included in the review of Satisfactory Academic Progress regardless if they are not being calculated in the cumulative G.P.A.

Full-Time J.D. Student

Full-Time LL.M. Student

Full-Time J.D./LL.M. Joint Degree Law Student

Full-Time Joint Degree Student (Law and Graduate Degree)

Maximum Time Frame

Law Students are eligible to receive financial aid up to 33% over and above the maximum of credit hours required to obtain his/her law degree. All periods of enrollment (including Summer), will be counted toward the maximum time frame. Note: Summer semester may be used to make up credit hour deficiencies and G.P.A. for the new academic year.

Treatment of Punitive and Nonpunitive Grades and Courses

All courses with a grade of F, I, IP, NG, U, W and repeated courses will be considered in the calculation of credit hours attempted and will be subject to satisfactory academic progress. Audited courses are not considered in awarding financial aid; therefore, they will not be counted in the determination of satisfactory academic progress. Incomplete (I) grades will be calculated as failing grades in regard to credit hour completion until the course has been satisfactorily completed.

Notification of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Awards are considered estimated, until the final grades are reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid. We will review the applicant's eligibility based on the student's academic performance at the end of the previous academic year. Students who have not met the minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress as outlined above or are academically dismissed, are considered on financial aid suspension and no longer eligible for aid.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student may regain eligibility by:

• Achieving the required G.P.A. and Credit Hour Completion as outlined.
• Attending summer school to make up the credit hour deficiencies and G.P.A. for the new academic year.
• Appealing the financial aid decision as described below.

Financial Aid Appeal Process

Any student who does not meet the academic progress standards and is able to document extenuating circumstances may appeal the suspension or termination of financial aid eligibility. To appeal:

• Submit an appeal letter with proper supporting documentation to the Office of Financial Aid, SAP Committee, explaining the reason(s) for the request.
• Submit an Individual Achievement Plan that has been approved by the Director of Academic Achievement or designee, explaining how you will regain academic standards.
• You will be notified of the decision within 10 business days of the receipt date. This decision shall be final. Only one appeal per academic year is allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions/Fact Sheet

Note: All charges incurred during any period of time for which a student's aid is denied/suspended are the sole responsibility of the student. Under no circumstances will awards be made retroactively, unless specifically provided for herein. If the appeal is approved, financial assistance will be awarded based on availability of funds at the time.

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