Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Academic Standing Committee will notify students who are not maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Students may be warned, placed on academic probation, suspended, or even dismissed. The Committee interprets and applies standards on a case-by-case basis at the end of each semester.

The Office of Financial Aid is also required to monitor academic progress as it relates to the renewal of financial assistance. To remain eligible for most types of financial aid, particularly federal and state assistance, students must meet minimum academic requirements at the conclusion of each academic year.

The financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy includes a quantitative measure (maximum time frame for completion of the educational program) and a qualitative measure (accumulative grade point average). All periods of enrollment, at Gettysburg College or elsewhere, are included whether or not the student received aid. Grades for courses transferred into Gettysburg College are not included in the student's accumulative grade point average (GPA).

The length of the Gettysburg College academic year is 30 weeks of instructional time. Students must meet the following minimum standards at the conclusion of each academic year:

The chart is based upon a student's full-time enrollment for the entire academic year. Modifications are made for students attending for only one semester and/or for those attending less than full-time during the academic year.

Incompletes: A student will not lose eligibility because of a course incomplete, unless he/she is already on financial aid probation. However, the final grade results might impact future eligibility.

Repeated courses: Courses that are repeated will show as credits attempted. However, only the last reported grade will be included in the student's GPA.

Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress
The Office of Financial Aid will notify students who do not meet the minimum standards with a letter that explains their financial aid probationary status.

The first time a student fails to meet one or more of the satisfactory academic progress requirements, he/she will be placed on financial aid probation for one academic year. (At the discretion of the Director of Financial Aid, a student's probationary period may be limited to one semester).

While on financial aid probation, a student is still eligible to receive financial aid. However, if after the probationary period (or any time thereafter) the student is not deemed to be maintaining satisfactory academic progress, the student will no longer be eligible to receive federal and state financial assistance.

Reinstatement
If a student is denied aid due to the lack of satisfactory academic progress, the student can have his/her eligibility reinstated once he/she is in good standing with all of the requirements. A student may reestablish eligibility for financial aid at any point during the academic year and be given the same consideration for aid as other students maintaining satisfactory academic progress, provided funds are available.

Appeals
Satisfactory academic progress requirements may be waived for up to one academic year due to special circumstances. Special circumstances could include, but are not limited to, the following events: a student's injury or illness, death of a relative, or a natural disaster.

If a student is deemed no longer eligible for financial aid and feels there is a special circumstance, he/she may appeal the decision. Appeals need to be submitted in writing and addressed to the Director of Financial Aid at least 30 days before the semester in which the student is seeking financial assistance. The student will be notified in writing of the decision within two weeks from the date the appeal is received. The appeal decision is final.