Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress

Student Requirements:
Federal and state regulations require students to achieve 'satisfactory academic progress' in order to maintain eligibility for Title IV financial aid programs. The following 'standards' are for financial aid purposes and neither replace or override NSCC academic policies. These standards are effective with measurements made at the end of the Spring Semester of 2006 and forward. Students can communicate with the Financial Aid Office regarding prior 'standards'. The Financial Aid Office reviews measurements 'A', 'B', and 'C' for Title IV recipients at the end of each Spring Semester. Measurement 'C' is reviewed prior to the disbursement of financial aid each semester. The following measurements apply, whether
or not a student receives financial aid.

Qualitative Measurement:
Students are required to have reached a specific cumulative grade point average upon completion of the following number of credit hours as reviewed at the end of each Spring Semester. Transfer credit hours are not included in this measurement.

NSCC UJ Quality Hours	Cumulative Grade Point Average
0-14	-
14.1-26	1.0
26.1-40	1.4
40.1-48	1.7
48.1-56	1.9
56.1- +	2.0

Quantitative Measurement:
Students enrolled during a given Fall/Spring semester must earn a passing grade (A,B,C,D) in a minimum of 9 credit hours if enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours); 6 credit hours if enrolled three-quarter-time (9-11 credit hours); and 3 credit hours if enrolled half-time (6-8 credit hours). There is no requirement for less-than-half-time enrollment status. Grade values other than a passing grade, such as 'W', 'I', 'X', 'F', 'WF' and 'AU' count against the student. At the end of each Spring semester, the credit hours attempted/ required during the preceding Fall/Spring semesters will be reviewed.

Example: A student enrolled in 12 credit hours during the Fall semester and 9 credit hours during the Spring semester must earn a passing grade in at least 15 credit hours during the two semesters combined.

Maximum Time Frame:
If enrolled in an Associate's degree program, students must complete their program of study within 90 credit hours attempted, whether or not financial aid was received for all attempted hours. If enrolled in a certificate program which meets requirements for Title IV assistance, students must complete their program within 150% of published length of program. An additional 30 attempted credit hours is allowed for remedial/developmental classes. Transfer credit hours that apply to the student's program of study or to remedial/developmental classes are included in this measurement.

Re-establishing Eligibility for Financial Aid:
Students who do not meet measurements "A" and/or "B" and thus become ineligible for financial aid, may re-establish their eligibility by enrolling in a minimum of six credit hours during a subsequent semester at their own expense and meeting the above standards. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office at which point they meet the above requirements.

Right to Appeal:
Students who become ineligible to receive financial aid due to failure to meet the above measurements may submit a letter of appeal to the Director of Financial Aid if extenuating circumstances precluded them from meeting these standards. Documentation should also be provided to substantiate the reason of appeal.

Special Note:
Scholarships and other third party sources of financial aid may have individual guidelines regarding satisfactory academic progress. Please refer to the guidelines of the particular scholarship or third party source of aid you are receiving.

[Return to Financial Aid Homepage]