Standards of Progress
Academic progress is the standard by which progress toward degree completion is measured. It applies to all students whether or not they are receiving financial aid.
In order to be making satisfactory progress students must meet both quantitative and qualitative measures. Students who fail to meet these standards may lose their eligibility for financial aid. "Good Standing" differs from satisfactory progress in that only students who complete 12 credits of C- or better are considered to be in "good academic standing." A student may be progressing satisfactorily but not be in good standing.
Regulations governing the Student Assistance General Provisions and Pell Grant Program require that all schools define their Standard of Academic Progress in terms of both Quantitative and Qualitative measures.
Quantitative
Full-time students must complete the degree within 5 years (or 10 semesters) of full-time enrollment. They are making satisfactory progress if they accumulate credits toward the 120 required for the degree at the following rate:
| Cumulative Credits | |
|---|---|
| First year | 16 |
| Second year | 38 |
| Third year | 64 |
| Fourth year | 90 |
| Fifth year | 120 and completion of Plan |
Part-time students are expected to make progress in proportion to their credit enrollment.
All students are reviewed each year, after spring grades are finalized, to determine if they are meeting these minimum requirements. The review will be delayed, in the case of missing or Incomplete grades, until the work is completed. Students who fail to meet the standard of progress may attend summer school to earn necessary credits and petition for reconsideration of their status.
Qualitative
Full-time students who earn fewer than 12 credits at C- or better are eligible for probation or dismissal as described in existing regulations. Any student not dismissed for academic failure nor discontinued on Plan or for failure to meet the Clear Writing Requirement is assumed to be meeting the qualitative standards of progress.
Any student who fails to meet the quantitative standard, and who is not already subject to review by the faculty under the qualitative standard, must be reviewed by the faculty.
A student who fails to meet the College's standards of progress may petition the faculty for waiver of satisfactory progress requirements in cases that involve the death of a relative, injury or illness to the student, or other special circumstances.