In accordance with Title IV Financial Aid federal regulation 34 CFR 668.34, Keene State College has established the following policy for evaluating the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) of Title IV financial aid recipients. This policy also extends to state and institutional financial aid programs.

Policy:

The review of a student's SAP status is based on the entire academic record, even if the student did not receive financial aid for previous semesters of enrollment. In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must satisfy all components:

Undergraduate students must meet the following SAP criteria:

• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
• Minimum completion rate of 67%
• Maximum time frame of 150% of defined academic length for bachelor's degree programs

Graduate students must meet the following SAP criteria:

• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
• Minimum completion rate of 67%
• Maximum time frame of 150% of defined academic length for master's degree programs

Completion rate is calculated by total earned credits divided by total attempted credits.

Earned credits include successfully completed courses (i.e. grades of A, AB, B, BC, C, CD, D, P) and transfer credits. Audited coursework not included.

Attempted credits include successfully completed courses (i.e. grades of A, AB, B, BC, C, CD, D, P), non-passing grades (i.e. grade of F, IX), Incomplete (i.e. grade of I, IP, XF), withdrawn courses (i.e. grade of W), transfer credits and repeated courses. Audited coursework are not included in attempted credits or GPA.

Maximum time frame allowed is calculated by multiplying the published program length by 150 percent. Example: published program length of 120 credits X 150% = 180 credits maximum time frame allowed to complete degree requirements.

Evaluations and Notifications:
The Financial Aid Office evaluates SAP annually at the end of each spring term for undergraduates and graduates, or upon re-enrollment into the college. SAP is also reviewed at the end of each probationary period, if applicable to student. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress to continue to receive financial aid in a subsequent payment period, including summer term. Financial aid applicants not meeting SAP standards will be deemed ineligible to receive financial aid and will be sent notification to the student's college email account.

Financial Aid Termination:
Students that do not meet the college SAP standards are not eligible to receive financial aid. SAP status applies to financial aid eligibility and does not impact registration or academic standing.

Appeal Process:
Students who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements for continuance of financial aid have the right to appeal when special circumstances exist. Conditions when a student may appeal include:

• Serious physical or mental illness of the student
• Serious physical or mental illness of the student's immediate family member
• Death of the student's immediate family member

To appeal, a student must complete the following:

1. Complete SAP Appeal Form. Student statement must include why the student failed to meet SAP and what has changed to allow student to meet SAP at the end of next evaluation.
2. Must meet with Academic Advising Office and develop an Academic Plan. Both student and Academic Advising Office representative must sign SAP Appeal and Academic Plan Form.
3. Submit completed SAP Appeal, Academic Plan and supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office for review.

Appeal forms submitted for a specific term will not be granted for that term if the student has stopped attending that term or the student withdraws from all courses or the college while waiting for an appeal decision during that term.

An appeal reviewed by the Appeals Committee does not guarantee reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.

All appeals are reviewed by representatives of the Financial Aid Office, Academic Advising and Dean of Students.

Approved Appeals will result in the student being placed on Financial Aid Probation (see financial aid probation section). Written SAP approval notification will be sent to the student's college email account.

Denied Appeals will result in the student to be ineligible for financial aid. The student may enroll in coursework but will be responsible for payment of their college bill. Written denial notification will be sent to the student's college email account. Students may wish to explore private/alternative education loans here.

Financial Aid Probation:
A student who fails to meet SAP and who has successfully appealed with the Financial Aid Office will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one semester. During the Financial Aid Probation period, the student is considered eligible for financial aid. At the end of the Probation period, the Financial Aid Office will evaluate student's academic record to determine SAP status.

Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility:
A student may regain financial aid eligibility by successfully meeting the college's SAP policy requirements or successfully meeting the requirements of the established Academic Plan.

Note: All information is subject to change based on changes to federal law, regulation, or college policy and procedure. If changes are made, students must abide by the new policy.

SAP Appeal and Academic Plan Forms