General Information Online Services

Satisfactory Academic Progress
Policy Standards

Requirements

The federal government requires that colleges and universities develop and enforce an internal system to monitor the academic progress of financial aid recipients and mandates that financial aid recipients be making satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain financial aid eligibility. These standards may be different than the academic standards required to remain in the program, to advance to candidacy, or to earn a degree or certificate. Where differences exist, the standards set forth in this policy shall be used to determine eligibility for participation in student financial aid programs at the University of La Verne (ULV).

Criteria

Academic progress criteria apply to applicants and recipients of financial aid programs created under Title IV regulations of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, as well as to recipients of other programs used by the Office of Financial Aid at ULV to provide students with financial assistance to achieve their primary educational objective.

Specific programs include the following:
Federal ACG Grant	Federal Pell Grant
Cal Grant A	Federal Perkins Loan
Cal Grant B	Federal SMART Loan
Cal Child Development Grant	Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal Graduate PLUS Loan	Federal Work-Study

These standards of satisfactory academic progress also apply to students receiving agency-sponsored assistance; and participation in all scholarship, grant, loan or employment programs provided through ULV funds. ULV has developed the standards described in this policy.

Standards

At the end of each academic year, the academic progress of financial aid applicants is measured by the criteria listed below. Students must meet all of the following standards:

Maintain a minimum grade point average, and
Complete a minimum number of units each academic year, and
Complete no more than 150% of units required to complete primary educational objective, and
Complete the primary educational objective within a maximum time frame.

Students who do not meet the academic progress standards will be placed on financial aid probation for one academic year. At the end of the financial aid probation period, students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress will be disqualified from receiving future financial aid.

Initial Review

The academic progress of financial aid applicants and recipients are reviewed at least once annually, primarily at the end of the academic year. There are two categories within the standards of satisfactory academic progress that students must meet: qualitative and quantitative. Students who meet or exceed these standards are said to be making satisfactory academic progress. Students who do not meet one or more of the standards should refer to the sections identified below that are related to Financial Aid Probation, Ineligibility, and the Appeal Process.

Qualitative Standards (the degree of excellence)

At the time of review, a student's official cumulative grade point average is evaluated to determine whether qualitative standards are being met. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, students must meet the minimum grade point average requirements for continued enrollment at ULV, as stated in the ULV catalog under academic information: Academic Progress and Probation. Grade point averages are based on the official cumulative record of the student at the time of review. Official grade point averages may include work earned at prior schools.

1. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
GPA	Program
2.00	Students pursuing an undergraduate certificate, degree, teacher credential, or JD degree must maintain this minimum "cumulative" GPA.
3.00	Students pursuing a doctoral degree, a graduate degree or graduate certificate must maintain this minimum "cumulative" GPA.

Quantative Standards (the amounts or proportions)

At the time of review, a student's ratio of the number of semester hours earned is compared to the semester hours attempted to determine whether quantitative standards are being met. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, students must complete at least 66 % of the units attempted each academic year. Paralegal certificate students by definition are considered undergraduate students based upon the program length, regardless of the number of units earned. Teacher credential students are considered post baccalaureate degree students and not graduates.

2. Minimum number of units per academic year
%	Program
66%	Students pursuing an undergraduate degree must complete this minimum percentage of units.
66%	Students pursuing a graduate degree must complete this minimum percentage of units.
66%	Students pursuing a doctoral degree or J.D. degree must complete this minimum percentage of units.

Unit Cap

The academic progress standards for students receiving financial aid are more restrictive than for the general student population. The standards are based upon a reasonable expectation of academic progress toward an educational objective. Students who exceed 150% of the maximum number of units required to complete their degrees are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress toward their certificate or degree.

3. Maximum number of units attempted
Units	Program
192	Students pursuing an undergraduate degree must not exceed this maximum number of units attempted
49-75	Students pursuing a graduate degree must not exceed this maximum number of units attempted
81-180	Students pursuing a doctoral degree must not exceed this maximum number of units attempted
126	Candidates for the J.D. degree must exceed this maximum number of units attempted

Maximum Time Frame

Students not completing their degrees within the maximum time frame are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress toward their certificate or degree. All terms of enrollment will count toward the maximum time frame as well as any transfer credits. Enrollment in terms/semesters in which no financial aid is received will be included in the maximum time limit. Enrollment in summer sessions/terms will count toward the maximum time frame, grade point average, and unit requirements.

4. Maximum time frame
Undergraduate Students	Terms	Years	Status	Conditions
	18	6	Full-time	Students pursuing an undergraduate degree will be allowed this maximum time frame to complete a degree.
Graduate Students	Terms	Years	Status	Conditions
	9	3	Full-time	Students pursuing a graduate degree will be allowed this maximum time frame to complete a degree.
JD Students	Terms	Years	Status	Conditions
	12	6	Full-time	Students pursuing a JD degree will be allowed this maximum time frame to complete a degree.

Certificate Program Students

Students pursuing approved certificate programs will be monitored on the basis of each certificate program requirements.

Failure to Maintain Standards

At the end of each academic year, the Office of Financial Aid notifies students who do not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, in writing. Students who fail to meet the satisfactory academic progress standards are either placed on financial aid probation, or are disqualified from receiving future financial aid.

The Appeal Process

Students may appeal the determination that they are not meeting the satisfactory academic progress standards. Appeals for reestablishing eligibility may be based on extenuating circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to: extended illness; one-time extenuating circumstances that have since been resolved; and enrollment limitations due to academic advisement.

The student must obtain, complete, and submit, along with any supporting documentation, a University of La Verne Academic Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Request Form to the Office of Financial Aid. The appeal will be evaluated and the student will be notified of the decision within 21 days of the submitted request.

Financial Aid Probation

Students who fail to meet the minimum standards of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy must be provided the opportunity to succeed by allowing the student a probationary period. The student will be provided one academic year to achieve those standards. If at the end of the student's financial aid probation period he/she fails to maintain the minimum standards of financial aid the student will be ineligible to receive future financial aid.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

Students who have lost eligibility for financial aid due to lack of academic progress can be reinstated by successfully completing sufficient units to meet the desired standards. The student must notify the Financial Aid Office once the units have been completed. If extenuating circumstances apply, the student must submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form along with supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Disqualification

Students who are placed on financial aid probation, and fail to meet the minimum standards of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy during that probationary period, are no longer eligible to receive financial aid at the University of La Verne.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy Standards