Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students are subject to the academic standards of the college, which can be found in the college catalog. In addition, students receiving financial aid must also meet other requirements as described below in order to continue to receive financial aid.

Academic Year Definition

The academic year for the seminary is composed of six enrollment periods consisting of eight-week courses that cover 48 weeks of instructional time. The academic year for the graduate school consists of two enrollment periods consisting of 32 weeks of instructional time.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, a student must meet the following requirements of satisfactory academic progress:

Students enrolled in the MA, MEd and all Doctoral Programs:

Must maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0
Must have a 67% completion rate

Students enrolled in the MDiv, MABS, MAM, and Certificate Programs:

Must maintain cumulative GPA of 2.50
Must have a 67% completion rate
Maximum Time Frame for Completion of Education Objective:

Students must complete their degree program within 150% of the published length of their degree program.

Evaluation of Academic Progress:

For students enrolled in certificate programs or programs that are less than one year, satisfactory academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each payment period. If a student fails to make satisfactory academic progress at the end of the first payment period, he or she will be placed on “Academic Warning.” The student may continue to receive Title IV aid for one payment period and no appeal is necessary.

Students enrolled in programs of longer than one year will be evaluated at the end of each academic year. The total (cumulative) academic record is considered when academic progress is evaluated (not just terms when financial aid was received). Students who are not successfully completing courses at the minimum levels as outlined are considered to be making unsatisfactory progress and will not be eligible for financial aid for the following semester.

Appeal Process:

Students may appeal financial aid termination status in writing on the appeal form available through the Solution Center. Such appeals must be made within 30 days after the date of the letter of notification and must include appropriate request documentation. The appeal must be in written form, addressed to the Financial Aid Director for consideration by the Financial Aid Committee.

Mitigating circumstances that would be considered upon appeal as adequate reasons for reinstatement would be:

student illness, accident, or hospitalization
death or illness of parent or relative
other family emergencies or unusual circumstances
The appeal must include why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed that will allow the student to make satisfactory academic progress for the next semester.

If the appeal is granted, the student will then be placed on Academic Probation and will be allowed to receive Title IV aid for the next payment period or be placed on academic plan that will ensure the student is able to meet satisfactory academic progress by a specific point in time.