Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid Recipients

Federal and state regulations require that students maintain satisfactory academic progress while pursuing their course of study in order to receive financial aid. Students receiving financial aid will have their academic records reviewed each semester to determine if satisfactory academic progress is being made toward the completion of a degree, certificate, or diploma. Satisfactory academic progress standards apply to all work attempted even though a student may not have been receiving financial aid.

Minimum Financial Aid Academic Progress Standards

A minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average for ALL coursework at Ellsworth Community College is required. In addition, a student must complete 67% of ALL credits ever attempted at Ellsworth Community College. “Complete” means earning a letter grade higher than an F. In addition to the cumulative standards addressed (grade point average and % of credits completed), a student will be placed on immediate financial aid suspension if he/she earns a semester grade point average of .50 or below.

Financial Aid Probation

A student who has received financial aid is placed on financial aid probation when he/she fails to maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or fails to complete 67% of all hours attempted. A student on financial aid probation continues to receive financial aid.

Financial Aid Suspension

If a student does not meet the minimum levels by the end of the probationary semester, the student is considered to be making unsatisfactory progress and is placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Financial Aid Suspension means the termination of all financial aid.

Reinstatement/Appeal

A student may regain eligibility for financial assistance after he/she has brought their coursework up to minimum standards (2.0 cumulative GPA and a completion rate of at least 67% of all hours attempted) at his/her own expense.

A student may appeal the termination of his/her financial aid to the Financial Aid Office if he/she feels that there are extenuating circumstances (serious illness, injury, death of a relative, etc.). Appeal forms are available from the Financial Aid Office. Forms will be accepted no later than the Friday before the first day of classes of the semester that the student wishes to be considered for. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review all appeals and respond in writing as soon as a decision is made.

Notification

It is the responsibility of each student to track his/her own progress and academic standing. However, the Financial Aid Office will make every effort to notify students of probationary/suspension standing in a timely manner at the end of each semester.

Maximum Timeframe for Degree Completion

A student shall be eligible to receive financial aid while pursuing their program of study for 150% of the published length of the program.

Credits transferred into Ellsworth Community College will not apply toward these guidelines. Students will be held responsible only for academic progress made at Ellsworth Community College. Classes that a student chooses to audit will not count toward the hourly requirements. Students taking developmental coursework must be registered for at least one non-developmental course to be receiving financial aid for that term.