Federal regulations require students to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a degree in order to receive Title IV aid. At Henderson State University (HSU) all three requirements as defined below must be met for a student to receive federal financial aid.
Successful Completion of 66.67% of Credit Hours Attempted
Students must successfully complete at least 66.67% of all credit hours attempted each term/semester at HSU. Grades of AC, AU, F, I, NC, NR, W, WF, or WP are not considered successful completion. Repeated courses are included in attempted credits and any courses with passing grades are treated as earned. Audits are not included in attempted or earned credits.
Minimum Grade Point Average
The cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as posted on the HSU transcript will be reviewed. Remedial classes are not computed into cumulative GPA.
- Minimum cumulative GPA for Undergraduate students: 2.00
- Minimum cumulative GPA for Graduate students: 3.00
Maximum Time Frame
Federal regulations require schools to establish a maximum time frame in which to complete a program. By law, the maximum time frame for completion of an undergraduate degree cannot exceed 150% of the published length of program. Maximum time frames at Henderson State University are:
- Associate Degree - 90 attempted credit hours
- Bachelor Degree - 180 attempted credit hours
- Graduate Degree - 90 attempted credit hours
All enrolled periods count toward maximum time frames, regardless of a change in degree or major or whether or not aid was received. Withdrawals, drops, repeated courses, and all accepted transfer hours are counted toward maximum time frame.
SAP will be evaluated at the end of each spring semester for the previous summer, fall and spring semesters. Ineligible notices will be sent through campus email to students who failed to meet every requirement to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Students who fail to meet every requirement will be ineligible for federal financial aid for any future terms/semesters. Students must file an appeal to be considered for reinstatement of eligibility.
SAP Appeals
A student with extenuating circumstances may submit an appeal (Please Contact the Financial Aid Office for Instructions). Examples of extenuating circumstances may include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Suffering Serious Illness
- Injury
- Disability
- Loss Due to Natural Disaster
- Involuntary Call to Active Military Service
- Victim of Crime or Abuse
- Significant Breakdown of Family Relationship or Relative w/Serious Illness
- Injury or Death of Close Relative
All decisions on SAP appeals are final. Unless an appeal is granted for extenuating circumstances, a student can regain eligibility only by coming into compliance with all the above requirements of satisfactory academic progress.