Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid Recipients
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education, Parkland College is required by federal regulations (Federal Regulations 34CFR Parts 668.32f and CFR 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 (FWS), Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans, Federal Parental Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), and Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP).
Minimum Standards Regarding Maximum Hours Attempted
Students enrolled in eligible degree programs cannot exceed 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program. Attempted hours include all Parkland 100–299 level classes, developmental coursework, 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 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program. Attempted hours include all Parkland 100–299 level classes, developmental coursework, 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 hours successfully completed (earned) in relation to cumulative hours attempted (including transfer hours). Attempted hours include all Parkland 100–299 level classes, developmental coursework, repeated hours, proficiency exam credit, and transfer hours. Withdrawals, failures, incompletes, and “N” grades are also considered attempted hours. Note: Military Withdrawal grades are excluded from attempted hours. Successfully completed (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 hours at the end of a semester must have successfully completed (earned) a minimum of 19 cumulative hours (round up).
Minimum Standards Regarding GPA
Students are required to meet the minimum cumulative college GPA requirement:
Credit Hours GPA
1–11 inclusive 1.5
12–22 inclusive 1.6
23–32 inclusive 1.7
33–44 inclusive 1.8
45–55 inclusive 1.9
56 and above 2.0
Review Period
Every student who receives 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 previous attempted hours will be placed on Financial Aid Warning; students who do not meet the minimum cumulative college GPA requirement will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Degree seeking students who have attempted 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program (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 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program (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 requiring satisfactory academic progress 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 and Veteran Services 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 and Veteran Services when incomplete courses are finished and/or grade changes are made.
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 cumulative hours attempted. If at the end of that semester the student has not met the minimum completion rate of 67 percent of all 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 required minimum cumulative college GPA. 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 or certificate seeking students who have attempted the maximum of 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program (immediate financial aid suspension occurs). Students on Financial Aid warning are still eligible to receive aid during the warning period.
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 not met the minimum cumulative college GPA requirement 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 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program (including all transfer credit hours and military credit) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status without a period of Financial Aid Warning. 2018–2019 Student Services 31 A student enrolled in a certificate program who has exceeded 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program (including all transfer credit hours and military credit) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status without a period of Financial Aid Warning.
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.
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, and financial aid will be reinstated. While on Financial Aid Probation, students must complete 100 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.
Financial Aid Extension Status
A student who submits a Maximum Hours Attempted appeal must also submit a graduation audit confirming the ability to complete his/her program in one semester. If the appeal is approved, the student will have aid reinstated and be placed on Financial Aid Extension for one semester of enrollment.
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 and Veteran Services website. Appeals must clearly explain why the minimum standard was not met, and what has changed that would allow the student to be successful. 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 must be included with the appeal. The appeal and supporting documentation should be sent to the Appeals Committee in care of the Parkland Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services. The Appeals Committee meets at least three times each semester to review appeals. The Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services will email notification of the Committee’s decision to the student’s college email account. The Appeals Committee is comprised of staff members from other departments within Parkland College. 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.
Return of Title IV Funds Policy
The Higher Education Amendment of 1998 requires institutions to calculate the amount of Title IV aid earned by students who totally withdraw from the institution before completing 60 percent of the enrollment term. Parkland must calculate the amount of Title IV funds the student earned for the period enrolled before withdrawing. This process requires Parkland to determine whether any Title IV funds received by or on behalf of that student must be returned or if the student is entitled to further disbursements of awarded Title IV funds. A student who attended more than 60 percent of the payment period earns 100 percent of his or her aid. The return of Title IV funds formula calculates the amount of Title IV aid to which a withdrawn student is entitled in direct proportion to the percentage of the period that the student attended. Parkland will notify the student that he or she must repay the overpayment or make satisfactory repayment arrangements within 30 days of determining that a student has completely withdrawn from all classes.