Satisfactory Academic Progress is a prerequisite for eligibility for any High Point University administered financial assistance.  A student who does not maintain satisfactory academic progress will be ineligible for any federal, state, or institutional financial assistance, including an unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan or Federal PLUS Loan.

Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluates both the quality (cumulative GPA or quality point balance, depending on the student's admission date) and the quantity (credit hours earned versus credit hours attempted) of the student's academic work. The Student Financial Planning Office will evaluate each student’s progress at the end of each academic year.

In evaluating the student’s qualitative progress, the student must meet the minimum academic eligibility standards defined in the High Point University Undergraduate Bulletin. Please note that for students entering in Fall 2009 or beyond (or readmitted for Fall 2009 or beyond after more than a year’s absence from HPU), the standards have been changed to minimum cumulative grade point averages (GPAs) based on the student’s academic class. Students who entered HPU prior to Fall 2009 or who are readmitted after less than one year’s absence but originally admitted prior to Fall 2009 will still be evaluated under the old qualitative point balance standards.

In evaluating the student's quantitative progress, the student's credit hours earned will be reviewed.  The student will have a maximum time frame to complete the credit hour degree requirement.  A student may not have more than 150 percent of the published length of the education program sought to graduate.  For most students, 12 semesters is the maximum time frame allowable for degree completion (standard 8 semesters or 100% plus an additional 4 semesters or 50%).  In addition, a student must have earned credit for at least 75 percent of the cumulative credit hours attempted. Credit hours transferred in to High Point University will count as credit hours earned toward the maximum time frame but not toward cumulative attempted credits.

Additionally, students entering as first-semester freshmen who receive High Point University funding such as grants or scholarships will not be eligible to receive those funds after eight (8) semesters. Students transferring to the University will only be able to receive HPU grants or scholarships up to the normal time frame to receive a degree. Example: A student who enters HPU as a first-semester sophomore will only be eligible for HPU grants or scholarships for a maximum of six (6) semesters since that is the normal time frame for completing a degree. A student entering as a first-semester junior would have four (4) semesters, etc. Students who complete their degrees prior to the normal time frame will only receive HPU grants or scholarships at the regular rate, and if the student graduates early, any funds they might have received if they continued are forfeited. Example: A student takes additional overload credits in the regular academic year and takes summer classes to speed up graduation. This student becomes eligible to graduate at the end of three academic years instead of four. This student is eligible to receive HPU scholarship and/or need-based grant monies at the regular rate during the time of attendance and is not eligible to receive future unused funds during that time.

A student who makes unsatisfactory academic progress has the opportunity to earn credit hours to meet the minimum requirement during the summer term(s).  Additionally, students who are deficient in hours may take transferable courses at other institutions with prior approval from the Registrar's Office and by notifying the Office of Student Financial Planning in writing.  Students who need to improve their cumulative GPA must take their coursework at High Point University. Note: A student with unsatisfactory academic progress is not eligible for financial aid during summer sessions.

Enrollment is defined, and the satisfactory academic progress program levels are established, as of the last day of the drop/add period.  It is important to realize that regardless of the academic policy on withdrawal allowances and repeated courses, such occurrences can negatively impact aid eligibility.  For further information on withdrawals/incompletes and their impact on satisfactory academic progress, consult your Student Financial Planning Counselor.

A student who wishes to appeal his or her unsatisfactory standing must submit an appeal form to the Office of Student Financial Planning stating the reasons for failing to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements and whether or not the difficulties have been resolved.  This appeal is separate from the activities of the Admissions Committee.  A student who is classified as academically ineligible to return but is allowed to return as the result of an Admissions Committee appeal or by sitting out one semester will be advised that he/she will not be eligible for financial aid.  The student may then appeal to the Office of Student Financial Planning for consideration in having funding reinstated.

After termination/denial of financial assistance, a student will be considered for financial assistance only when one or more of the following conditions have been met:

*   the student earns sufficient credit hours, and/or

*   the student’s quality point balance or GPA (depending on the student's admission date) meets the minimum standards; and/or

*   the Student Financial Planning Office grants a student’s appeal on the grounds that the student encountered some type of extenuating circumstance during the time period in question. Such appeals are granted conditionally, and if the student does not meet every condition in the time frame specified, the student will not be granted a second appeal.

Revised 4/09