Policies and Procedures -
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress in 1980, mandates that institutions of higher education establish standards of satisfactory progress for all students receiving financial aid. In order to receive and continue to receive financial aid, students must meet the following three standards of satisfactory progress:
Standard for Grade Point Average
Maintain the grade point average requirements in the University's Academic Standards Suspension and Probation Policy. These requirements for undergraduate students include maintaining a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.0 or above and for graduate students maintaining a cumulative and semester GPA of 3.0 or above.
Standard for Minimum Credits Completed
Successfully complete 67% of total attempted credits. Credits attempted includes all courses that are part of the student's official record on the last day of the semester, regardless of the grade received. A grade of A, B, C, D, or S represents satisfactory completion of a course. A grade of F, W, U, or I represents unsatisfactory completion of a course. Repeated courses will count as credits attempted each time the course is taken. Audit courses are not considered when calculating satisfactory progress. Note: This standard is slightly different than the University’s Academic Standards Suspension and Probation Policy. Students who receive financial aid are expected to understand and meet both standards.
Standard for Maximum Time Frame
Students may receive financial aid for no more than 150% of the published amount of credits required for the academic program in which they are currently enrolled. At UW-River Falls, most programs require 120 credits, so a student could receive aid only up to 180 credits even if they have not yet graduated. This measurement has been converted to a maximum of 12 full-time semesters allowed for financial aid eligibility, which is calculated on a basis of 15 credits earned per full-time semester. If a student is pursuing a second degree, the 12-semester maximum may be exceeded on a case-by-case basis through the appeal procedure.
For enrollment status less than full-time, semesters of attendance would be counted as follows:
Three-quarter-time |
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9 - 11.5 credits for undergrads |
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6 -7 credits for graduates |
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.75 semesters |
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Half-time |
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6 - 8.5 credits for undergrads |
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4 - 5 credits for graduates |
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.5 semesters |
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Less than half-time |
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0 - 5.5 credits for undergrads |
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0 - 3.5 credits for graduates |
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0 semesters |
Financial Aid Probation
At the end of each semester, the University reviews the academic records of all students. Students receiving financial aid are placed on probation if:
- their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0
- they fail to complete at least 67% of their cumulative attempted credits.
Students are still eligible to receive aid during their probationary semester, but must meet the above three standards during their probationary semester to remain eligible for aid in subsequent semesters.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students will have their financial aid eligibility suspended for subsequent semesters if either of the following occurs:
- cumulative GPA is less than 2.0
- successfully completed less than 67% of total attempted credits
- have attempted 30 or more credits at UW-River Falls and have a Fall, Spring, or Summer semester GPA of less than 1.000. Students do not need to be on academic probation for this regulation to take effect.
Financial Aid Reinstatement Appeal
Financial aid may be reinstated after a student completes satisfactory progress during a semester without receiving federal aid, or if progress was not met due to extraordinary circumstances (such as death of a family member or serious illness), the student may submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Office. For students declared ineligible due to having been enrolled beyond the maximum time frame, a letter of appeal and a completed program plan must be submitted. All appeals must be completed in writing and submitted along with an Unofficial Transcript to the Financial Aid Office:
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal
Appeals should explain in detail the reason(s) for not meeting the standards for academic progress. Appeals must be submitted by the end of the third week of the semester for which the student is appealing to receive financial aid. The appeal will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee. Students will be notified in writing of the appeal decision.
Appeals will result in either financial aid reinstatement or financial aid denial. Submission of an appeal does not imply reinstatement of financial aid
eligibility. Evidence of multiple appeals will be a factor in determining reinstatement or denial.
Aid Available During Suspension
Students who are on financial aid suspension are only eligible to receive alternative loans during that semester.
Students Returning From Studying Abroad
Non-UWRF Study Abroad Program
Grades for credits attempted through a non-UWRF study abroad program are historically slow in being reported to the Registrar’s Office. These credits are considered as credits attempted and credits not earned until an official transcript from the non-UWRF school is received and evaluated by the Registrar’s Office. This situation may result in a financial aid probation or suspension. If placed on financial aid suspension, the student must appeal for financial aid reinstatement. The Financial Aid Office will be notified by the Registrar’s Office once the official transcript has been evaluated and the Financial Aid Office will re-evaluate SAP at that time.
UWRF Study Abroad Program
If the student is participating in a UWRF study abroad program and receives an “incomplete” grade, these credits are considered as credits attempted and credits not earned until the “incomplete” is updated to an official grade. This situation may have a result in a financial aid probation or suspension. If placed on financial aid suspension, the student must appeal for financial aid reinstatement. When the “incomplete” is updated to an official grade, the student should notify the UW-River Falls Financial Aid Office to have SAP re-evaluated.
