The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress, mandates that institutions of higher education establish minimum standards of "satisfactory academic progress" for students receiving financial aid form Title IV Federal Programs. In definition, satisfactory academic progress means that the student is proceeding in a positive manner toward fulfilling degree/ certification requirements. It can be further explained in qualitative and quantitative(includes time frame) components. These standards apply to all Federal, State, nstitutional programs, which include: grants, scholarships, employment, loans, and HOPE programs.

Qualitative Progress

North Georgia College & State University has defined qualitative academic progress as those students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better after attempting at least 22 semester (equivalent) enrollment hours. This includes hours attempted at NGCSU or hours accepted by NGCSU from any post-secondary institution. Any student who does not meet the minimum standards each semester will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

In addition, students who are dismissed for academic reasons or are placed on academic probation, and who are later readmitted will not be considered to be maintaining satisfactory progress until completion of a semester of twelve degree credit hours or more and removal from academic probation.

Reinstatement: Once placed on suspension, a student must reapply for financial aid after they have acquired the necessary cumulative 2.00 GPA average.

Upon reinstatement, awards will be made only if funds are available.

Quantitative Progress

Student financial aid recipients must show measurable progress toward degree completion by earning a required minimum number of hours for the total number of enrollment hours: Students must always complete and maintain a minimum of 70% of all hours attempted upon reaching 22 semester hours of enrollment and beyond. For financial aid, a Developmental Studies non-credit course will be considered the same as a credit course.

The standard number of cumulative semester hours earned for a bachelor's degree is 127. Due to mitigating circumstances, a student may require additional hours to complete their first degree. To provide for such extraordinary conditions, financial aid funds may be awarded for a maximum of 167 cumulative semester hours attempted for a student's first bachelor's degree, regardless of whether or not the student received prior financial aid.

Reinstatement: Eligibility for financial aid can be restored after successful completion of at least 70% of all hours attempted. Students must reapply for financial aid. Upon reinstatement, awards will be made only if funds are available.

Review Policies

At the end of each semester the credits earned by financial aid recipients will be reviewed. Courses in which the following grades are received constitute credits completed:

• "A" through "D"
• "C" or better for Developmental Courses
• "IP" for Developmental Courses
• Courses in which the following grades are recorded do not constitute credits completed: "F", "V", "I", "W" or "WF".

Students with a Bachelor's Degree

Graduate programs of study offer considerable flexibility for tailoring the program of study to needs. Therefore, maximum enrollment hours for financial aid eligibility have not been set for the graduate student. Graduate aid recipients will be handled on an individual basis.

Students working on a second/additional bachelor's degree must adhere to enrollment in required degree courses only. Admitted / enrolled in "pre" programs (pre-nursing, pre-dentistry, etc.) as a second/additional degree are not considered eligible for financial assistance.

Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension

A student who is suspended from receiving financial aid may appeal to the Financial Aid Committee. All appeals must be in writing, within ten days of notice, and offer the following:

1. Reason why he/she did not achieve the minimum academic requirements
2. Reason why his/her aid should not be terminated.