Siena Heights University
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy - All Colleges
The Higher Education Act of 1976, as amended, requires Siena Heights University to develop and apply a
consistent and reasonable standard of academic progress for all students who receive federal financial aid in
order for those students to continue to receive such assistance. This standard must contain all elements
specified in the regulations and must be at least as strict as the academic standards of the University used for all
students.
The established guidelines (based on federal regulations) for evaluating a student’s progress take into
consideration cumulative Siena Heights grade point average and the number of credit hours attempted and
completed.
The Financial Aid Office at Siena Heights University reviews student’s satisfactory academic progress status at
the end of each session, to include summer, fall, and winter.
In order to maintain satisfactory academic progress (to be in good standing academically) a student must do two
things:
1. Qualitative Measure – Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA (undergraduate students), or a 3.0
cumulative GPA (graduate students); and
2. Quantitative Measure – Successfully complete (i.e., pass) 2/3 of the credit hours attempted.
Maximum Timeframe (150% Rule)
Students are not permitted to receive federal student aid for a period no longer than 150 percent of the published
length of the program.
Grade point averages are calculated by dividing total quality points by quality hours. Hours for courses for which
grades of CR, NC, or W are excluded from the hours attempted to obtain quality hours.
Hours successfully completed includes all credit hours attached to course grades of A, B, C, D, and CR. Hours
attempted includes those successfully completed as well as those attached to courses in which grades of E, I, IP,
W, NC, WF, and WE were assigned.
Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress will result in warning, probation, or suspension and will affect
eligibility for financial aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Warning
If it is determined that a student has not met the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, students will be
placed on a financial aid warning and be allowed one additional session with which to meet SAP requirements in
order to remain eligible for financial aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Suspension
Students who do not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the financial aid warning
period will be placed on a financial aid suspension and will not be eligible for financial aid without appealing.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Academic Plan & Appeal Procedure
Any student denied financial aid due to the policy may appeal to the Office of Financial Aid. An appeal
application and instructions will be included with the SAP notification letter from the Office of Financial Aid.
Students wishing to appeal will be required to submit a formal letter explaining why he or she is not currently
making Satisfactory Academic Progress. The letter should also include the students plan to sufficiently improve
their academic status. Students will also be required to meet with their academic advisor to review their
academic plan and sign off on the student’s appeal application. Appeal applications should be submitted to the
Office of Financial Aid prior to the start of term and must be submitted prior to the end of the second week of the
term for which they are applying. After an application for appeal is received, the student will be notified in writing
Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 2016-2018
20