Satisfactory Academic Progress
Tennessee Tech University Policy
Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid at Tennessee Tech University to establish and apply reasonable standards of satisfactory progress for the purpose of the receipt of financial assistance under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The law requires institutions to develop policies regarding satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Each institution must design criteria which outlines the definition of student progress towards a degree and the consequences to the student if progress is not achieved. TTU students who wish to be considered for financial aid must maintain satisfactory progress in their selected course of study as set forth in this policy.
Tennessee Tech University Policy
The Office of Financial Aid evaluates student academic progress at the end of each Spring Semester. Students are evaluated on the basis of three criteria: 1) grade point average (GPA.), 2) credit hour completion (PTERM), and 3) maximum time frame limitation (MAXHRS).
Please note that for SAP purposes, the Federal government requires that Tennessee Tech University use coursework completed at Tennessee Tech University – Institutional and remedial courses as well as transfer hours/courses, that apply to your degree as outlined in your Academic Plan. Also, the Academic Fresh Start program is an institutional policy that is NOT considered for federal aid policy.
Criteria 1: Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
To receive financial aid, a student must maintain a minimum qualitative measure of progress defined as cumulative G.P.A. as listed below:
1. Freshmen must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 1.6
2. Sophomores must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 1.8
3. Juniors must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
4. Seniors must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
5. Graduate Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Criteria 2: Credit Hour Completion (PTERM)
Students are also required to meet a measure of incremental progress.
Students must successfully complete a minimum of 67% of all attempted hours.
For example: If you register for 30 credit hours over the first two years of your program you must successfully complete (withdrawals and failing grades are not defined as successfully completed) 20 credit hours (30 x 67%) to be maintaining SAP.
Criteria 3: Maximum Time Frame Limitation (MAXHRS)
Undergraduate students are also subject to a quantitative measure of progress.
Students must complete their program of study within 150% of the total coursework required to complete their program. For example, if you are enrolled in a 120 credit hour program, you will no longer be maintaining SAP after you have attempted more than 180 hours (120 x 150%).
Please note that effective July 1, 2011, the Federal Government stipulates that any student who cannot complete their remaining courses in the 150% time frame will be ineligible at that the time the calculation is made. For example, you have attempted 145 hours (150% of your program is 120 hours *150% = 180 hours). Your academic plan states you need 60 hours to complete your degree. This determination, when made, would make you ineligible for financial aid at the time of determination.
Institutional Procedures
Category One – Financial Aid Suspension
Students who fail to meet any of the three criteria, singularly or in any combination, will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension (FASUSP) from the time of the status calculation until the next calculation period (end of spring term).
Any student who is on FASUSP, will have their financial aid suspended until a time when they have successfully met all SAP criteria and have been placed back into Good Standing (GGOOD or GOODST) at the next calculation period (end of Spring term).
If you have mitigating circumstances that have caused you to be placed into this category, such as major illness, death in family or other tragic event AND you can provide corresponding evidence you may submit an appeal. The appeal will be addressed to:
Satisfactory Academic Progress Review Committee
Tennessee Technological University
Box 5076
Cookeville, TN 38501
All appeals MUST contain the following items and information:
- Be typed format in MS Word, no handwritten appeals accepted.
- What caused the student to fail the SAP policy, and
- What corrective action/steps have you taken to maintain SAP by the next evaluation period.
- Academic Plan - you, the student, will need to provide a copy of your proposed plan to complete your degree listing each course you have left to complete and which semester you plan to take those courses. If your appeal is approved, your future aid eligibility will be based on your successful completion of the courses you list on your Academic Plan.
The Committee will not review cases arising from poor academic and social choices made by student or “the need” to have financial aid to continue as a student. It may take 5-7 business days for your appeal to be reviewed and acted upon. Your appeal will be held as incomplete if it does not address all of the items listed above.
Category Two – Financial Aid Termination
Any student who is on FASUSP or receiving aid via an Academic Plan and fails to meet any of the three criteria listed above, singularly or in any combination, will have their financial aid terminated, with no opportunity to appeal, until a time when they have successfully met all SAP criteria and have been placed back into Good Standing (GGOOD or GOODST) at the next calculation period (end of term).
Why My SAP Appeal and any subsequent information MUST be in writing…
As you are aware federal aid eligibility is not for our office to give or take away but federal aid policy is what we are charged with interpreting and enforcing on behalf of the University and the Department of Education.
Federal SAP policy is governed by federal regulations and federal regulations are audited each year by the Dept of Ed through our state auditor. Those regulations state that we are required to base an appeal equally and consistently to all students who fail to meet SAP standards. Our posted policy states you must submit your appeal in writing and in order to comply with the legislation we cannot deter from that position. So any issue related to a student’s SAP appeal must be in a written format. Unfortunately, since we are required to have your appeal in writing, any information you may wish to provide NOT in written format (verbally) cannot be admissible for a defense of our approval/denial.
This policy is effective July 1, 2011.
