I. Policy

Pursuant to federal regulation, the USC Aiken Office of Financial Aid is required to monitor the academic progress of all students who apply for federal financial aid.  Financial aid funds can be awarded only to students who are making measurable progress toward the completion of degree requirements within a reasonable period of time.

Students are considered to be making satisfactory progress only if they are meeting all of the standards set forth in this policy.  If a student fails to meet any particular standard or combination of standards, he or she will become ineligible for federal financial aid. 

Undergraduate students are considered to be making satisfactory progress only if they:

1. Are admitted and enrolled as degree-seeking students.
2. The Time Limitation Quantitative Standard, 150 Rule Requirement: Complete requirements for a degree within a reasonable length of time. The total number of hours attempted at any post-secondary institution does not exceed 180 hours of course work for a four-year degree regardless of whether federal financial aid was received.
3. The Incremental Quantitative Standard, Hours Requirement: Earn (pass) 67% of all hours attempted in the USC system plus other hours accepted for transfer by USC Aiken regardless of whether federal financial aid was received.
4. The Qualitative Standard, GPA Requirement: Maintain a cumulative USC System Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.
5. Meet the University standards for continued enrollment as specified in the Academic Regulations section of the University of South Carolina Aiken Undergraduate and Graduate Programs Bulletin available on the USC Aiken website (web.usca.edu). The following chart shows the various levels of grade point hours and system cumulative GPAs for suspension levels:

Graduate students are considered to be making satisfactory progress only if they:

1. Are admitted and enrolled as degree-seeking students.
2. The Time Limitation Quantitative Standard, 150 Rule Requirement: Complete requirements for a degree within a reasonable length of time. The total number of hours attempted in the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology does not exceed 76 hours of course work and in the Master’s Degree in Educational Technology does not exceed 54 hours of course work.
3. The Incremental Quantitative Standard, Hours Requirement: Earn 67% of credit hours attempted.
4. The Qualitative Standard, GPA Requirement: Meet the University academic standards for continued enrollment as specified by the student’s USC Aiken Graduate Program.

II. Procedure

Students who are determined to be ineligible for federal financial aid under this policy may appeal this determination under specifically prescribed conditions.  Such appeals are subject to all applicable deadlines.  Detailed information regarding the appeal process can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

The standards set forth in this policy apply to all federal financial aid programs including grants, loans and work funds.  These standards will be applied to any determination or certification of satisfactory progress standing.

USC Aiken has an established Academic Forgiveness Policy.  When reviewing satisfactory academic progress for a student who has been granted Academic Forgiveness in consultation with the Scholastic Standing and Petitions (SS&P) Committee, the Office of Financial Aid insures that the monitoring compliments the SS&P policy and is in compliance with Title IV satisfactory academic progress regulations.   

III. Related Policies

IV.  Reason for Revision

Annual Review