Gwynedd Mercy University
AY2023-2024 Graduate Academic Catalog
failures and incompletes are counted as attempted , but not earned credits . o Exception to the 67 % Rule : It is important to note that the 67 % completion rule applies to most types of financial aid . However , specific programs may mandate a higher completion rate . For example , the PA State Grant requires that a full-time student earn 24 credits ( repeated coursework does not count in this total ) in an academic year and requires a minimum of 12 credits for part-time students .
• Cumulative GPA Minimum Requirements ( GPA Rule ): The maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for upper classmen and 1.8 for freshman students . Graduate , second bachelor ’ s degree and doctoral students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average . Additionally , specific grants and scholarships may require a higher minimum cumulative grade point average .
• Developmental Courses : Developmental courses are evaluated in progress calculation , including completion rate , maximum hours , and cumulative grade point average . Federal financial aid may be awarded for a maximum of 30 semester hours of developmental coursework .
• Withdrawals , Incompletes , Audits and Repeat Courses : Withdrawals , Incompletes and Audits do not count as a passing grade . These grades are counted in attempted credits . Once an Incomplete grade has been changed to a passing grade , progress can be recalculated upon written request . Repeated coursework is also counted as attempted credits , with all grades related to this repeated coursework included in financial aid GPA calculation .
• Change of Major and Double Majors : Once all the requirements for a program are completed , a student may no longer receive financial aid unless they enter a new degree program . Students may apply for financial aid for the completion of a double major . All applicable courses in the completed program will count as part of the 150 % attempted credits in both majors .
When Minimum Standards of Academic Progress are Not Achieved
• Any student who fails to meet the progress standard and cumulative grade point average requirements will be ineligible for future financial aid . A student who has become ineligible for financial aid will be notified in writing by the financial aid office at the end of the fall or spring semester .
• Students on academic probation may be eligible to receive financial aid IF they meet satisfactory academic progress requirements . Students may still enroll without financial aid if they do not qualify for financial aid because of satisfactory academic progress issues .
• Non-Matriculated students ( students not accepted in a degree seeking program at the University ) are ineligible for federal , state , and institutional financial aid . They may borrow private student loans to finance their course costs .
Academic Progress Appeals
Students who faced mitigating circumstances that may have affected their academic progress may appeal an academic progress decision . Mitigating circumstances include experiencing a serious illness or accident ; the death , accident , or serious illness of your immediate family member ; or other mitigating circumstances beyond your control . Poor time management , feeling “ unprepared for school ” or other
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