SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Students who receive financial assistance from any federal program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 must meet minimum standards of academic progress. These programs include:

· Federal Pell Grants

· Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

· Federal Work-Study

· Federal Perkins Loan

· Federal Stafford Loans

· Federal PLUS (Parent) Loans

Certain state, institutional, and private assistance programs will also require that students maintain these standards of satisfactory academic progress.

STANDARDS OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Pursuant to the Act and regulations issued by the United States Department of Education, Francis Marion University has determined that students are considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress if they meet the following minimum standards:

1. Receive admission to and are enrolled in an eligible program of study.

2. Meet University standards for continuing enrollment as published in this catalog including continuance based on appeal.

3. Earn a minimum of 75 percent of all credit hours attempted (includes withdrawals and carry overs) at Francis Marion University. This includes all academic terms (fall, spring, and summer).

4. Complete their degrees within attempting 180 hours for an undergraduate degree, 54 hours for a graduate degree in education or business, and 86 hours for a graduate degree in psychology. Attempted hours include all transfer, advanced placement, and College Level Examination Program credits.

TERMINATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY

The satisfactory academic progress of all students receiving financial assistance is checked at the end of the fall and spring semesters. At the end of the fall semester, students not making satisfactory academic progress are notified and encouraged to use the spring semester to demonstrate academic progress. Financial assistance eligibility is not terminated at the end of a fall semester with the following two exceptions:

1. Students for whom fall semester brings their attempted hours up to the maximum level (180 for undergraduate students, 54 for education and business graduate students, 86 for psychology graduate students).

2. Students who were approved by appeal through fall semester only.

At the end of the spring semester, students who received financial assistance during the spring semester are evaluated. Those who do not meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standards will be notified that their financial assistance is terminated.

REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for financial assistance may be reinstated in one of two ways:

1. Improving the percentage of hours completed to 75 percent by enrolling in and completing courses with personal funds.

2. The approval of an appeal submitted by the student to the Office of Financial Assistance for presentation to the Financial Assistance Committee. The appeal should include explanation and documentation of any unusual circumstances that prevented the student from performing his or her best academically. Appeal guidelines are available from the Office of Financial Assistance.

A student who has been academically dismissed from the University must appeal separately to the Admissions Office for reinstatement to the University.

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