Student Policy and Procedures

 

 

FINANCIAL AID: SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education, Parkland College is required by Federal Regulations 34CFR Parts 668.32(f) and 668.34 to establish satisfactory academic progress standards for federal and state financial aid recipients enrolled in eligible degree and certificate programs. These minimum standards ensure that only those recipients demonstrating satisfactory progress toward the completion of their educational objective continue to receive financial assistance.

The following are “minimum standards” required by a student to be eligible for the following types of student financial aid regardless if a student has previously received student financial aid: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP), Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans, Federal Parental Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), and the Illinois Incentive Access Grant (IIA).

Minimum Standards Regarding Maximum Hours Attempted

Students enrolled in eligible degree programs cannot exceed 96 attempted hours. Attempted hours include all Parkland 100-299 level classes, remedial hours, repeated hours, all transfer credit, military credit and proficiency exam credit. Withdrawals, failures, incompletes, and “N” grades are also considered attempted hours. Note: Military Withdrawal grades are excluded from attempted hours.

Students enrolled in eligible certificate programs cannot exceed 48 attempted hours. Attempted hours include all Parkland 100-299 level classes, remedial hours, repeated hours, all transfer credit, military credit, and proficiency exam credit. Withdrawals, failures, incompletes, and “N” grades are also considered attempted hours. Note: Military Withdrawal grades are excluded from attempted hours.

Minimum Standards for Satisfactory Course Completion Rate

All degree/certificate students must comply with the minimum standards for Satisfactory Course Completion Rate of 67 percent regardless of the student previously receiving financial aid at Parkland or any other institution of higher education. The 67 percent Satisfactory Completion Rate refers to the percentage of cumulative Parkland hours successfully completed (earned) in relation to cumulative Parkland hours attempted (excluding transfer hours). Attempted hours include all Parkland 100-299 level classes, remedial hours, repeated hours, and proficiency exam credit. Withdrawals, failures, incompletes, and “N” grades are also considered attempted hours. Note: Military Withdrawal grades are excluded from attempted hours.

Successfully completed Parkland (earned) hours are those classes for which there is a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or proficiency exam credit.

Example: To meet the minimum completion rate of 67 percent, a student who has attempted 28 cumulative Parkland hours at the end of a semester must have successfully completed (earned) a minimum of 19 cumulative Parkland hours (round up).

Minimum Standards Regarding GPA

Students who have attempted 60 or more Parkland credit hours (excluding transfer and military credit) must maintain a minimum cumulative college GPA 2.0 or better.

  1. Review Period
    Every student who applies for financial aid for the first time at Parkland will be reviewed to determine if the student has met the three minimum standards set by this policy (i.e., minimum completion rate, GPA, and maximum hours attempted). Students who have not successfully completed 67 percent of the previous Parkland attempted hours will be placed on Financial Aid Warning; students who have attempted 60 or more Parkland hours with less than a 2.0 cumulative college GPA will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Degree seeking students who have attempted 96 or more hours (including all transfer credit hours and military credit) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension at the beginning of that semester and not eligible for financial aid. Certificate seeking students who have attempted 48 or more hours (including all transfer credit hours and military credit) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension at the beginning of that semester and not be eligible for financial aid.

    At the end of each semester, the record of every student who has completed a FAFSA and received financial aid for which satisfactory academic progress must be maintained will be reviewed to determine if the student has made progress according to the three minimum standards set by this policy.

    The Office of Financial Aid is NOT notified when a student finishes an incomplete class or receives a grade change. Therefore, it is the student's responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid when incomplete courses are finished and/or grade changes are made.
  2. Financial Aid Warning
    If a student is not making satisfactory progress under the minimum completion rate standards, he/she will be placed on Financial Aid Warning and allowed the following semester of enrollment to achieve the minimum satisfactory completion rate of 67 percent of all Parkland cumulative hours attempted. If at the end of that semester the student has not met the minimum completion rate of 67 percent of all Parkland cumulative attempted hours, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status.

    If a student is not making satisfactory progress under minimum cumulative college GPA requirement, he/she will be placed on Financial Aid Warning and allowed the following semester of enrollment to achieve the minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or better. If at the end of that semester the student has not met the minimum GPA requirement, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status.

    Note: There is no Financial Aid Warning period for degree seeking students who have attempted the maximum of 96 hours, or for certificate students who have attempted the maximum of 48 hours (immediate financial aid suspension occurs).
  3. Financial Aid Suspension
    A student who has not met the minimum completion rate of 67 percent after one semester on Financial Aid Warning will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and not eligible to receive financial aid funds covered under this progress policy.

    A student who has attempted 60 or more Parkland credit hours and does not have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or better after one semester on Financial Aid Warning will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and not eligible to receive financial aid funds covered under this progress policy.

    A student enrolled in a degree program who has exceeded 96 attempted hours (including all transfer and military credit) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status without a period of Financial Aid Warning.

    A student enrolled in an eligible certificate program who has exceeded 48 attempted hours (including all transfer and military credit) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status without a period of Financial Aid Warning.
  4. Financial Aid Reinstatement
    There are two ways a student's eligibility can be reinstated from suspension status:
    1. Meet minimum cumulative completion rate and/or cumulative college GPA requirement standard(s) as set forth in this policy; or
    2. Submit an appeal that is approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee placing the student on Financial Aid Probation or Extension.
  5. Financial Aid Probation Status
    A student who submits a Minimum Course Completion Rate and/or GPA appeal that is approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. Financial aid will be reinstated for the following semester of enrollment. Note: While on Financial Aid Probation, the student must complete a minimum of 67 percent of the semester attempted hours with a minimum of a 2.0 semester college GPA. Failure to do so will result in Financial Aid Suspension.
  6. Financial Aid Extension Status
    A student who submits a Maximum Hours Attempted appeal that is approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee will be placed on Financial Aid Extension and have his/her aid reinstated for the following semester of enrollment. Note: In order to receive financial aid beyond that semester, the student must submit a new appeal to the Committee upon completion of the semester for which financial aid eligibility was extended.
  7. Appeal Process
    Students who fail to meet the Parkland Satisfactory Progress requirements defined by this policy may submit a written appeal to the Satisfactory Progress Appeals Committee. Appeal forms are available from the Office of Financial Aid or the Office of Financial Aid Web site. Appeals must clearly explain why the minimum standard was not met. The Committee will take circumstances, such as medical reasons, family crisis, personal problems, or other circumstances which adversely affected academic performance, under consideration. Supporting documentation should be included with the appeal. The appeal and any supporting documentation should be sent to the Appeals Committee in care of the Parkland Office of Financial Aid.

    The Appeals Committee meets at least three times each semester to review appeals. The Office of Financial Aid will mail written notification of the Committee's decision to the student's permanent address. The Appeals Committee is comprised of staff members from other offices within Parkland's Student Services.

    A student who submits a Minimum Course Completion Rate and/or GPA appeal that is not approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee must meet the minimum cumulative completion rate and/or cumulative college GPA requirement standard(s) as set forth in this policy. Note: The decision of the committee is final.

    A student who submits a Maximum Hours Attempted appeal that is not approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee will be placed on Financial Aid Cancellation Status. The committee will not accept future appeals for review. Note: The decision of the committee is final.

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