Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients
Wilmington University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Federal Financial Aid Recipients is comprised of two components: A qualitative component and a quantitative component. The qualitative component is measured by the student’s GPA; whereas, the quantitative component is measured by the successful completion of credits.
Undergraduate students are expected to maintain the following minimum cumulative GPA based on credits earned: 1 through 30 credits: minimum cumulative GPA = 1.6, 31 through 60 credits: minimum cumulative GPA = 1.8, 61+ credits or after two years or four semesters of enrollment: Minimum cumulative GPA = 2.0.
GPA review occurs at the end of every semester. Students must attain and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA based on their credits earned or length of enrollment. The policy for students who do not meet the minimum GPA based on credits attempted are placed on financial aid warning and given one semester to improve his or her cumulative GPA. In addition, the student must sign a Financial Aid Warning Letter which indicates the student is aware that they are not making satisfactory academic progress based on cumulative GPA, understand they are on financial aid warning and understand the consequence of not improving their GPA.
In addition to GPA standards, students must progress at a 67% completion rate. This also includes all withdraws and repeated classes; each one counts once. (Example: ENG 121 is taken and student withdraws, student takes the class again and fails; then the student takes the class and passes, for federal financial aid purposes, this equals 9 credits attempted and 3 credits passed). That is, on a cumulative basis, students must successfully complete 67% of the credits attempted. Successful completion is defined as earning an “A”, “B”, “C”, or “D” in a course.
Completion rate review occurs at the end of every semester. Students must attain and maintain a minimum completion rate of 67%. Students who do not meet the minimum completion rate are placed on financial aid warning and given one semester to improve his or her completion rate. In addition, the student must sign a Financial Aid Warning Letter which indicates the student is aware that they are not meeting the required 67%, understand they are on financial aid warning and understand the consequence of not improving their completion rate.
In addition to completion rate, students are restricted to the maximum number of credits for which they can receive financial aid. All students are expected to complete degree requirements within 150% of the number of credits required by the program. For example, if an undergraduate program requires 120 credits, students must complete it within 180 credits (120 x 150% = 180).
Please note, any student’s receiving VA education benefits should refer to the section “Veterans Educational Benefits” regarding their specific Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.