Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that Indiana University Northwest establish a policy to monitor the academic progress of students who apply for and/or receive federal, state, and institutional financial assistance. A student must be admitted to the university and enrolled in an approved certificate or degree program.

These satisfactory academic standards apply to all students enrolled at IU Northwest. Students will be evaluated annually. Students can monitor their Academic Progress Status by reviewing the Self Service tab on OneStart.

Students who fail to meet Indiana University Northwest’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy will be placed on Probation Status for one year. Students who do not meet the conditions for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of their probationary period will lose their eligibility for federal and state financial aid.

Students who do not meet SAP at the end of their Probationary Period and who are denied aid, and who wish to appeal, must complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form available through our website.

The completed appeal form, with supporting documentation, should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid. Incomplete appeals will be returned to the applicant. Completed appeals forms must be submitted within 30 days of the beginning of the enrollment period. Incomplete or late submission of an appeal may jeopardize your financial aid.

Our Appeals Committee reviews each appeal to determine student eligibility for continued financial aid. The most common reasons for appeal approval are (1) a learning disability, (2) a severe injury or extended illness, (3) the illness or death of a family member. Documentation of circumstances is required.

Students who are denied financial assistance may become eligible again upon successful completion of all the academic standards as described in this policy. Parents of students who are denied financial assistance by failing to meet these academic standards will not be eligible for a Parent PLUS Loan.

Recipients of federal financial assistance are expected to attend classes throughout the term; enrollment is monitored. Repayment of federal aid already received may be required if it is determined that the student stopped attending classes but did not officially withdraw from the University. Aid eligibility for subsequent academic terms may be canceled.

Students who have not completed their degree or certificate within the prescribed time limits will be suspended from financial aid without a one year probationary period. Undergraduate students may not exceed 150% of the published length of their academic program. Graduate students should complete their master’s degree in 70 credit hours. Students who are in a graduate certificate program should complete their certificate within the required number of hours established for the certificate. Students may appeal by completing the appropriate appeals form and attaching an academic plan verified by their department or division.

To remain eligible for financial assistance, a student must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree according to the following standards:

Undergraduates

• Undergraduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0.
• Undergraduate students should complete at least 75% of attempted coursework.
• Grades of W, F, FX, FN, FNN, NC, R, and I are not considered successful completion of a class.
• Undergraduate students may not exceed 150% of the published length of their academic program.
• All transfer and non-transferable credit hours that appear on a student’s academic transcript will be counted toward the duration of eligibility.

Second Undergraduate Degree

• Students who have a bachelor’s degree and enroll in an undergraduate certificate or a second undergraduate degree program will be required to provide an academic plan verified by their department at the beginning of their program, annually, and upon entering a new program.
• Students who have a bachelor’s degree and who are in a second undergraduate degree, or undergraduate certificate program and are approved for financial assistance are eligible only for loans and work-study.
• Students who are in a second undergraduate degree or undergraduate certificate program must follow the satisfactory academic progress requirements for all undergraduates
• Students who are in Education or Nursing may qualify for SSACI special programs, which are Minority Teachers, Special Education Scholarships, and Nursing Scholarships.

Teacher Certification

• Teacher certification students will be required to provide an academic plan verified by the School of Education at the beginning of their program, annually, and upon entering a new program.
• Students who are in a teacher certification program and are approved for financial assistance are awarded aid at the undergraduate level.
• Students who are in a teacher certification program must follow all the satisfactory academic progress requirements for all undergraduates.
• Students in a teacher certification program are eligible only for loans and federal work study funds.
• Teachers certification students may qualify for SSACI special programs which are Minority Teachers and Special Education Scholarships.

Graduates

• Graduate students will be required to provide an academic plan verified by their department at the beginning of their program, annually, and upon entering a new program.
• Graduate students should complete at least 67% of attempted coursework.
• Grades of W, F, FX,FN, FNN, NC, R, and I are not considered successful completion of a class.
• Graduate students should complete their masters degree in 70 credit hours.
• Students who are in a graduate certificate program should complete their certificate within the required number of hours established for the certificate.
• All graduate transferable and non-transferable credit hours that appear on a student’s academic transcript will be counted toward the duration of eligibility.
• Students may receive financial aid for a special 12 month preparatory period while waiting for acceptance into a graduate program. Students will be required to provide an academic plan verified by their department or division.

Undergraduate Appeals Form

The Undergraduate Appeal Form is available on-line as a fill-in form which you can complete, print, sign, and submit to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Graduate Appeals Form

The Graduate Appeal Form is available on-line as a fill-in form which you can complete, print, sign, and submit to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Satisfactory Academic Progress is a process required by federal regulations in which institutions develop academic progress standards and review student records to assure that they are complying with the standards and making good progress toward their academic objective. If students do not meet the standards, they are ineligible for further financial aid.

How often is my academic progress reviewed?

At least once a year your academic progress is reviewed. All previous semesters (including all semesters you completely withdrew), all attempted course work, and transfer hours, regardless of your receipt of financial aid for those enrollment periods, are included in hours attempted.

Can I Appeal?

Students who are suspended from receipt of federal financial aid because of failure to meet SAP may submit an appeal following the instructions above.

Return the completed appeal form with supporting documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. Incomplete appeals will be returned to the applicant. Completed appeals forms must be submitted within 30 days of the beginning of the enrollment period. Incomplete or late submission of an appeal may jeopardize your financial aid.

Our Appeal Committee reviews each appeal to determine student eligibility for continued financial aid. The most common reasons for appeal approval are (1) a learning disability, (2) a severe injury or extended illness, (3) the illness of death of a family member. Documentation of circumstances is required.