Rule 3342-3-01.7 | Administrative policy regarding satisfactory academic progress for recipients of financial aid.
(A) Policy.
(1) Financial aid recipients at Kent state university are required to achieve satisfactory academic progress towards a degree in order to continue to receive financial assistance. This policy recognizes the requirements imposed by the federal government concerning satisfactory academic progress and the academic standards of the university for those seeking a degree.
(2) The university also recognizes that conditions may exist which require slower progress in achieving normal educational goals. These conditions, when verified by the student's academic advisor, will be taken into consideration when legally possible.
(B) Definitions.
(1) Satisfactory academic progress should not be confused with good academic standing requirements.
(a) "Good academic standing" may mean that a student can remain enrolled at the university in spite of insufficient credit hours each semester, a low grade point average, or even low achievement in standard test scores when originally admitted to the university.
(b) "Satisfactory academic progress" means that the student is proceeding in a positive manner towards fulfilling degree requirements in his/her course of study to include completion of credit hours during each academic year and achievement and retention of a satisfactory grade point average.
(C) Procedure.
(1) All financial aid recipients are required to complete at least twenty-four credit hours during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) if awarded aid on a full-time basis. This requirement will be proportionately less for part-time students. Financial aid will not be awarded to students enrolled for less than six credit hours in a semester.
(2) Undergraduate students must achieve at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring semester in order to receive consideration for continuing on aid programs for summer sessions and the next academic year. For graduate recipients, this requirement is a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
(3) Grades or administrative marks as follows are not acceptable towards meeting these standards of progress:
(a) AU;
(b) IN;
(c) IP;
(d) NA;
(e) R, and
(f) W.
(4) These standards for academic progress may not apply to other scholarship programs which have separate additional criteria and requirements.
(5) Undergraduates and graduate students must enroll for at least twelve hours of credit each semester in order to receive aid benefits based upon a full-time status. All undergraduate recipients must be aware that enrollment and completion of twelve credit hours per semester will not permit completion of degree requirements in the normal four-year period. Some aid programs have restrictions as to the number of semesters aid can be used; therefore, students run the risk of losing eligibility if they proceed at a reduced credit hour load.
(6) Continuation on any financial aid program is subject to the availability of funds. The university is not obligated to meet the financial need of students.
(7) Students who fail to meet these standards for academic progress will be notified of their discontinuance from aid programs by the financial aid office. Appeals can be made in writing to the director, student financial aid within ten working days after receipt of the discontinuance notice. All appeals must include substantive reasons for the failure to comply with this policy and all extenuating circumstances must be supported by documentation. The director of student financial aid will respond by letter to each appeal which is denied or award the recipient financial aid in the amount and type deemed appropriate within ten working days after receipt of the appeal. Further appeals can be made to the dean for student affairs.
Supplemental Information