Financial Aid Awards
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
In addition to maintaining all general aid requirements, all students receiving Title IV (federal) and state grant funds must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to continue receiving these funds. Federal law requires that Lander University evaluate all students’ academic progress on a regular basis. Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluations must take into consideration ALL periods of enrollment, including enrollment at another institution and periods in which the student did not receive financial aid. The Satisfactory Academic Progress standards require that progress must be measured in three distinct ways: quantitatively, qualitatively, and in terms of a time frame. These three methods of evaluation are as follows:
1. Quantitative Evaluation
The quantitative evaluation requires that all students earn a minimum percentage of attempted hours. Attempted hours include Pass/Fail courses, withdrawals, repeated courses, and failed courses. Summer hours are included. Transfer hours and hours for which a student did not receive financial aid are counted. Courses which are dropped during the regular Drop/Add periods and which are not reflected on the academic transcript are not counted. The percentage of earned hours is calculated by dividing the number of earned hours by the number of attempted hours (Passed/ Attempted = Ratio.) The standard is set so that students may reasonably complete the degree within the required time frame. The minimum standards are outlined below:
|
Cumulative Earned Hours |
Required Ratio |
|
Undergraduate |
67% |
|
Graduate |
67% |
For your convenience, a ratio calculator is available at http://www.lander.edu/finaid/forms/sap_hours_calculator_revised.htm .
However, this is not a substitute for working with your academic advisor, who will be able to guide you in the specific courses you need for graduation.
2. Qualitative Evaluation
The qualitative evaluation requires that students maintain the minimum acceptable level of academic achievement outlined in the Lander University catalogue. Credits transferred to Lander are not used in computing the student’s grade point average. The current minimum acceptable level of academic achievement is provided below:
|
Cumulative Earned Hours |
Cumulative Grade Point Average |
|
0 - 29 |
1.700 |
|
30 - 59 |
1.900 |
|
60 + |
2.000 |
|
Graduate |
2.000 |
3. Time Frame Evaluation
The time frame evaluation limits the length of time that undergraduate students can receive federal and state funding to complete degree requirements. An undergraduate student cannot be eligible for federal or state aid after attempting more than 187 hours. This standard applies to all undergraduate degree candidates, including second-degree students. See #1 above for a definition of hours counted as attempted hours. Graduate students must complete all degree/graduation requirements within 45 attempted hours. Undergraduate students who are enrolled in a program of study requiring more than 125 hours for completion of the degree may appeal for an extension of the time frame.