Federal regulations require that all student financial aid recipients progress at a reasonable rate or "make satisfactory progress" toward achieving a certificate or degree. The standard applies to all terms regardless of whether or not the student received financial aid. The student's cumulative grade point average and credits earned in relations to those attempted and the length of the academic program measure academic progress.
Undergraduate students who receive financial aid at Alcorn State University must conform to the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) set by the University and outlined here. These standards encourage students to successfully complete their educational goals in a timely manner. It is important to remember that this SAP policy is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid and is separate from the Academic Standards administered by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Quantitative Measure: Undergraduate students must pass a minimum of 67% of all hours attempted. Students are no longer eligible to receive federal student aid once the total hours attempted (this includes transfer hours) exceeds 186 hours. Upon completion of a first Bachelors Degree, students may be allowed up to 60 additional credit hours to complete a second Bachelors Degree.
Qualitative Measure: The Financial Aid Office strictly adheres to the academic standards presently established by Alcorn State University as printed in the current University Catalog. Undergraduate students who have attempted any hours must maintain at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Total hours attempted will include credit hours taken at Alcorn and any credit hours transferred from another institution.
Satisfactory Academic Progress is monitored at the end of each academic year. Three probationary semesters are allowed during a student's undergraduate career. Those who fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements at the end of a probationary semester will be placed on financial aid suspension and will lose eligibility to receive financial aid funds. If suspended from financial aid, an appeal must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office to be reviewed by the appeals committee for reinstatement.
Withdrawals - Students who receive financial assistance and withdraw from the university (offically or unofficially) will adhere to the quantitative and qualitative measures listed above.
Incompletes - An incomplete does not mean that the student has successfully completed the course. Incompletes will be treated as failing grades until removed. An incomplete will be treated as hours attempted.
Audit Courses - Courses taken for audit do not meet degree requirements and are not eligible to meet enrollment requirements to receive aid. Change of classes to audit will be treated as a withdrawal and subject to any changes of enrollment status policies.
Developmental Courses - Students advised to enroll in developmental courses will be considered enrolled in regular classes to a limit of three (3) hours for Developmental Mathematics, three(3) hours for Developmental English, three (3) hours for Developmental Studies Lab, and three (3) hours for Developmental Reading.
Repeats - Repeated courses enable the student to achieve a higher cumulative GPA. However, for financial aid purposes, repeated courses count as additional hours attempted.
Graduate Program - Graduate students pursuing a Masters Degree can receive financial assistance for up to 45 credit hours. Students will be limited to 75 credit hours when pursuing a second Masters degree. Once a student earns a second Masters degree, he/she shall be eligible to receive financial assistance only toward a Specialist Degree. We mirror the academic standard process for graduate students.
Appeal Process - All students have the right to appeal decisions regarding holds/suspensions of financial assistance. A student may file an appeal by completing a Request for Reinstatement of Financial Aid with appropriate documentation. Requests for reinstatement should be submitted at least ten (10) working days prior to the last official day to register. All requests will be reviewed within ten (10) working days of submission to the Office of Student Financial Aid provided they are properly completed and documented. Reasons that may be accepted for the appeal are: (1) serious illness or accident on the part of the student; (2) death, accident or serious illness in the immediate family and (3) other extenuating circumstances.
