Satisfactory Academic Progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress Will Be Reviewed at the End of Each Semester
Barry University, in compliance with federal regulations, has established the following standards of academic progress (SAP) that must be met to receive federal financial aid. To maintain financial aid eligibility, a student must make satisfactory progress toward a degree. Satisfactory progress is determined by both a qualitative and a pace measurement.
Qualitative Component: (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
All graduate students must meet the minimum academic standards of their school in order to remain in good standing. A student can meet Barry University’s definition of “good standing” and be allowed to enroll, but may not meet the minimum federal standard of satisfactory progress to receive financial aid. Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
PACE Component: (Maximum Time Frame and Completion Ratio)
Students must complete their education program within a maximum time frame (measured by attempted credit hours) and must earn (receive a passing grade) a minimum percentage of all attempted credit hours. The time frame for graduate students cannot exceed 150 percent of the published length of the academic program. The published length of the academic program is the minimum number of credit hours required to earn a degree.
To complete the degree requirements for graduation within the maximum time limit and to be considered as having made SAP, a student should successfully complete 67 percent of all credit hours attempted.
The maximum timeframes for students to finish their degree will be verified at the end of each semester to ensure compliance toward graduation and to monitor the student’s SAP.
Podiatric Medicine and Physician Assistant students should refer to their respective handbooks for minimum grade point average and completion timeframes for their programs.
Understanding Satisfactory Progress
Attempted Credit Hours
Attempted credits include any hours for which a student is registered for at the conclusion of the relevant drop/add period. Any attempted credits that are canceled and removed from a student’s transcript (e.g., via withdrawal) are still considered attempted credits for purposes of determining financial aid eligibility under this policy. Attempted credits include all grades, including “F,” “IP,” “I,” “NC,” and “W”.
Withdrawals: Grades of “W” given after the add/drop period are considered attempted credits for purposes of determining financial aid eligibility under this policy.
Incomplete Grades: Credits earned in a course for which an “I” grade was initially assigned, and for which a satisfactory grade is then replaced, count as earned credits. Grades of “CR” credit are considered satisfactory grades under this policy. If a student is required to repeat a course, the repeated course is counted toward the number of attempted credits.
Transfer Credit Hours/CLEP/Study Abroad/AP Credits: Credits accepted by Barry University for a degree program do count as attempted and earned credits for SAP purposes. Audited courses are not counted as attempted credits.
Change of Major: Some courses from the previous major can be accepted as electives into the new major. These courses count as attempted and earned credits for SAP purposes.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Review
The Financial Aid Office will review satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients at the end of each semester.
This policy is applicable to all students receiving federal financial aid.
If a student is not making satisfactory academic progress at the end of the semester, the student will be notified in writing and placed on financial aid warning for one semester. Federal aid will be disbursed for the following semester, but at the end of that semester, the Financial Aid Office will review the student academic record and termination actions will be taken if satisfactory academic progress has not been met. If federal student aid is terminated, notification will be sent concerning the appeal process.
Warning Status
The first time that a student does not meet the required completion or cumulative grade point average, the student will be placed on financial aid warning. The student will retain federal financial aid eligibility.
Termination Status
The student will not be eligible to receive any federal, state, or Institutional financial aid, even if the student is permitted to continue enrollment at Barry University.
Regaining Eligibility After Financial Aid Termination
Please note that a warning status is not subject to appeal. Students who have become ineligible to receive financial aid may appeal the termination status if there is an extenuating circumstance that prevented the student from maintaining the standards of academic progress.
Appeal Procedure
If federal aid is terminated, a student may appeal this decision. The student must complete the Barry University Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form with all required documentation. The student must clearly document two things to have their appeal approved:
- The unusual circumstance that explains why they were unable to meet the standards. This should be beyond the student’s control.
- Evidence that the circumstance either no longer exists or the student has taken steps to limit it from interfering with their academic progress.
Submit all documentation that substantiates the student’s circumstances, such as a letter from a doctor or copies of medical bills if a student cites medical reasons, for not meeting the requirements (e.g.., copy of a doctor’s statement, hospital bill, bills related to the emergency, police report, divorce documents, obituary/death certificate, etc.).
All appeals should be submitted to the Appeal Committee in the Financial Aid Office, no later than thirty calendar days from notice of student financial aid termination. Decisions are based on the Information provided by the student and a review of the student academic record. All decisions made by the appeal committee are final.