Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for Financial Aid
Recipients of federal Title IV aid programs (Federal Pell Grant, TSAA, FSEOG, Perkins Loan and FWS) and the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program (TELS) must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their course of study to maintain eligibility for financial aid. Jackson State evaluates satisfactory academic progress at the end of each semester utilizing both the qualitative and quantitative standards below.
- All course work is evaluated for financial aid purposes whether or not financial aid was received for that work.
- Transfer students will be required to meet the cumulative QPA and maximum time limit standards based on all transfer hours attempted. Students who do not meet these standards will be placed on financial aid suspension.
- Satisfactory progress will be affected by withdrawals and repeated courses in such manner as they affect the JSCC QPA. A student with an "I" grade will be placed on financial aid suspension until the final grade is posted.
- A student receiving a 0.0 QPA for a semester or the last semester attended due to all F's, W's, I's or PR's, or any combination of these grades, will be suspended without probation.
QUALITATIVE STANDARDS: measures a student's quality of performance in terms of QPA, including developmental studies coursework. A student who does not meet one of the qualitative standards will be placed on financial aid probation for the subsequent term of enrollment. During the probation semester, a student can still receive federal aid. A student who meets the qualitative standards while on probation shall be placed back in good standing. A student who fails to meet the qualitative standards while on probation will be suspended from financial aid for the subsequent term.
| Credit Hours Attempted | Minimum Cumulative QPA |
|---|---|
| 0 – 14.0 | 1.4 |
| 14.1 – 26.0 | 1.6 |
| 26.1 – 40.0 | 1.75 |
| 40.1 – 48.0 | 1.9 |
| 48.1 – 56.0 | 1.95 |
After a student attempts 56.1 hours, both a 2.0 term QPA AND a 2.0 cumulative QPA must be maintained.
QUANTITATIVE STANDARDS: measures a student's course completion each term and the maximum time frame in which they must complete their educational program. A student who does not meet one or more of the quantitative standards will be placed on financial aid suspension without a probationary term.
Course Completion Requirement: A student must satisfactorily complete a minimum number of credit hours each semester. Satisfactory grades are A, B, C, D or PR. Unsatisfactory grades are F, I, N or W.
| Semester Hours Attempted | Must Complete Satisfactorily |
|---|---|
| 12 or more hours | 8 hours |
| 9 – 11 hours | 6 hours |
| 5 – 8 hours | 3 hours |
| 1 – 4 hours | Complete hours attempted |
Developmental Studies Maximum Time Limit: A student can receive federal financial aid for up to 30 attempted semester hours of developmental studies coursework. Federal aid for a student who has exceeded this maximum will be based on college level courses only. This time limit cannot be appealed.
Maximum Time Limit: Students with an earned bachelor's degree are not eligible for federal financial aid at Jackson State. A student may receive federal aid until an associates degree is earned, or the maximum time limit is reached according to the table below. For example, students enrolled in a degree program that requires 60 credit hours must complete all required courses by the time they have attempted 90 credit hours. Maximum hours attempted excludes developmental studies coursework.
| Program Length | Maximum Hours Attempted | Program Length | Maximum Hours Attempted |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 – 29 hours | 38 hours | 60 – 65 hours | 90 hours |
| 30 – 37 hours | 45 hours | 66 – 71 hours | 99 hours |
| 38 – 47 hours | 57 hours | 72 – 88 hours | 108 hours |
| 48 – 59 hours | 72 hours | 89 and above | 134 hours |
FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION & REINSTATEMENT OF AID ELIGIBILITY: It is the responsibility of the student to enroll at their own expense and to petition the Financial Aid Services Office for reinstatement of aid after the following conditions have been met. Students must also meet all other satisfactory academic progress requirements.
- A student placed on suspension for not meeting the qualitative standards may petition to be reinstated on aid if he/she enrolls for a minimum of six credit hours within one semester and earns a 2.0 term QPA.
- A student placed on suspension for not meeting the term and cumulative QPA requirements after 56.1 hours attempted may petition to be reinstated on financial aid at the time both requirements are met.
- A student who is placed on suspension due to an incomplete grade or grades must petition to be reinstated on financial aid after the course or courses have been successfully completed.
- A student who does not satisfactorily complete the required hours during a semester may petition to be reinstated on financial aid at such time as the hours have been successfully earned.
- A student suspended from financial aid for any other reasons must submit a written appeal for reinstatement.
FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION APPEALS: Any administrative action or termination of financial aid which occurs as a result of this policy may be appealed in writing to the Student Aid & Awards Committee by obtaining a satisfactory academic progress appeal form from the Financial Aid Services Office. If an appeal is approved, the student will be reinstated on financial aid in good standing or on financial aid probation. All decisions made by the financial aid committee are FINAL. Students will be notified in writing of the appeal results.
Appeals must contain satisfactory grounds for appeal, which are beyond the control of the student. Examples of extenuating circumstances may include: illness or severe injury of student or immediate family member; death of immediate family member; family or marital difficulties; financial hardships; work conflicts; or other situations based on the professional judgment of the Financial Aid Services Office. Appropriate support documents are required; additional documentation may be requested at any time. Appeals lacking extenuating grounds or adequate documentation will not be reviewed, and the student will be notified that the appeal information is insufficient.
Appeal Deadlines: The committee meets at the beginning of each semester. You are encouraged to meet the following deadlines for timely consideration. Late appeals (after the committee has met) must wait until the next semester to have their appeal reviewed by the committee.
Fall Semester - August 1
Spring Semester - January 2
Summer Semester - May 15
NOTE: If you have been placed on academic suspension and wish to appeal that status, you should contact the Admissions Office for instructions. There are two separate appeal processes for academic suspension and financial aid suspension. Your financial aid appeal may be held until the Admissions and Standards Committee has made a decision on your academic status. Your appeal of financial aid suspension will not correct your academic standing. Likewise, being readmitted through the Admission and Standards Committee will not remedy your financial aid suspension. Unlike academic suspension, sitting out one or more terms will not reestablish your federal aid eligibility.
Effective Fall Semester 2004