In accordance with new Federal regulations on Satisfactory
Academic Progress (SAP), the College has established Financial Aid
SAP requirements that all students must meet in order to remain
eligible for Federal Title IV student aid. Title IV Student Aid
Programs include but are not limited to: Pell Grant, SEOG, TEACH
grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Nursing
Loan, and all Federal Direct student loans including the Federal
Direct Parent Loan.
SAP is divided into two major components: Qualitative (GPA
based) and Pace (length of program). By the end of a student’s
second year (or 4 academic semesters), a student must have a
cumulative GPA of at least a “C” (2.0), and have an academic
standing consistent with the College’s requirements for graduation,
as found in the college catalog. Financial Aid SAP is reviewed at
the end of each academic year.
Qualitative
Student has completed four academic semesters and is at the end
of her second year.
The College may, on a case by case basis, determine that a
student is making satisfactory academic progress even though a
student does not satisfy the requirements above if it is determined
that the student’s failure to meet those requirements was based
upon:
- The death of a relative of the student;
- An injury or illness of the student; or
- Other special circumstances – Active duty assignment,
unsolicited job change, involuntary work schedule or work
transfer.
In order to be considered for a Financial Aid SAP appeal, you
must file the SAP appeal form found under the FA main page, forms
you may need. No other format will be accepted. A student must
provide appropriate documents from a doctor, hospital, Records
Bureau, employer etc., in order to support the request for an
appeal. Instructions for the SAP appeal form are on our website
www.msmc.edu. If a student is not making satisfactory progress at
the end of the second year; but at the end of a subsequent grading
period returns to compliance, the College may classify the student
as making satisfactory progress beginning with the next grading
period.
Pace
Pace refers to the length it takes to complete a program of
study. A student must consistently take and successfully complete
courses that count toward his degree, and the degree must be earned
within 150% of the published length of the program. For a
Bachelor’s degree, a student may receive financial aid for a
maximum of 180 attempted credits. Undergraduate students seeking a
second Bachelor’s degree may receive financial aid for an
additional 90 credits. Graduate students are allowed a total of:
MBA - 82 credits, MS in Nursing or Education – 67 credits.
Pace is measured by dividing the cumulative number of hours a
student has successfully completed by the number of hours the
student has attempted. Remedial coursework is excluded from the
Pace calculation, but transfer hours accepted by the Mount towards
the student’s program are included.
“AW” Grades – Do not affect GPA and will not be
counted towards academic progress.
“W” Grades – Grade assigned between 2nd week
and third week past mid-semester. “W” grades do not affect GPA; no
credit or quality points given. Count towards academic progress as
hours attempted.
Incomplete – Students normally have 5 weeks to
complete coursework. An Incomplete reverts to an “F” grade if
not completed. Count towards academic progress as hours
attempted.
Repeat Coursework – are counted towards
academic progress and GPA, and a student may repeat a previously
passed course once. He or she may repeat an “F” grade course until
it is passed.
SAP Appeals If a student is not making SAP, he
or she may submit an appeal. An appeal may be approved only if the
College:
- Has determined that the student will be able to meet SAP
standards after the subsequent payment period or;
- Develops an academic plan that, if followed, will ensure that
the student is able to meet SAP by a specific point in time.
Failure to maintain progress on an academic plan will result in
final loss of Title IV aid. Application forms and instructions for
a Financial Aid SAP appeal are found on this website under Forms you may need. No other format
will be accepted.
FA Probation
FA probation is the status that is assigned to a student who
fails to make SAP, and who has successfully appealed and has had
eligibility for aid reinstated. A student on FA probation may
receive Title IV funds for one payment period. At the end of the
payment period, a student must meet FA satisfactory academic
progress or the requirements of the individual academic plan to
maintain Title IV eligibility. Failure to remain compliant with an
individualized plan will mean final loss of financial aid.
Notification
Notification of the results of an evaluation that impacts a
student’s Title IV eligibility will be sent to students at the end
of the academic year.