Procedure for Appealing Academic/Financial AID Dismissal

A student who is dismissed for violating Satisfactory Academic Progress must appeal in writing to the Campus President within 7 calendar days from notification of SAP dismissal if the student wishes to remain enrolled in courses for the current term. If a student does not appeal, or if the appeal is denied, the student will be withdrawn from the current term with no penalty. For students who are in withdrawn status the appeal must be submitted prior to being approved for re-entry.

The written appeal must state the mitigating circumstance(s) that contributed to the dismissal. The written appeal must be supported with appropriate documentation of the mitigating circumstance(s) with an explanation on how the circumstance(s) have been remedied or changed to ensure that they will be able to meet satisfactory academic progress if re-admitted.

The Campus President and The Appeals Committee will review the student’s documentation and a determination will be made within 7 business days of the date of the receipt of the appeal. The student may be asked to appear in person during the review process when deemed necessary by the Campus President and/or The Appeals Committee. Upon The Appeals Committee decision, the student will be notified by Academic Affairs both verbally and in writing. The Appeals Committee decision will be final.

Students should understand that having a mitigating circumstance does not automatically indicate the appeal will be approved. The Appeal Committee will review if the student sufficiently provided documentation of the mitigating circumstance(s) and if there was resolution. The Appeal Committee will also determine if the student can mathematically move back into Good Academic Standing within a three-term time period.

Note: Documentation from a professional counselor should not breach the student/counselor relationship and should remain confidential. A memorandum or letter on school or organizational letterhead indicating a counselor’s opinion can be utilized in the appeal process, however this will not guarantee the appeal will be granted.

If a student’s appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Academic/Financial Aid Probation for a period not to exceed one academic year. For certificate students, academic probation cannot exceed one term. For degree programs other than Certificate programs, the academic plan can be up to one academic year with period length being at the discretion of the Appeals Committee. Students on Academic/Financial Aid Probation must meet the terms of the Academic Plan by the end of the probation period in order to meet the minimum SAP standards and return to the status of Good Standing. For students on Academic/Financial Aid Probation for more than one term must meet the academic targets outlined in the Academic Plan by the completion of each term to be eligible to continue on Academic/Financial Aid Probation. Failure to meet the established academic goals at the end of each term will result in Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal.

The student will be eligible for financial aid during the Academic/Financial Aid Probation period. Academic Advisors, Registrars, and/or Academic Department Leads must develop, document and maintain as part of the appeals process, a concrete Academic Plan for how a student will complete their remaining coursework and meet the minimum requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress by end of either the Academic/Financial Aid Probation period or by the end of the term included in the Academic Plan. The Academic Plan must detail specific time frames and student success measures and cannot be greater than one (1) term for certificate or diploma programs, but for degree programs may be up to three (3) terms, if necessary. The Academic Plan must be reviewed with the student each term while on Academic/Financial Probation to determine if the approved Academic Plan is being met and the student remains on track to achieve the success measures within the approved timeframe.

Any student who ceased attendance or withdrew from the University will be evaluated against the minimum standards of the Satisfactory Academic Progress for grades and credits attempted as of the time of withdrawal in their last term of attendance, at the end of academic year checkpoint. Any student who did not meet the minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress at the evaluation point must go through the same appeal process should the student want to be readmitted. The appeal procedure described in the preceding section applies. Upon the Appeals Committee decision, the student is notified by Academic Affairs both verbally and in writing. The Appeals Committee decision will be final.

Any student who is on Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal can no longer attend school or receive Title IV at the University.

Alternative Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal Appeals:

• An appeal for Maximum Time Frame (MTF 150%) can be made to the University Vice President of Academic Affairs.

• If a student who has successfully appealed an Academic/Financial Aid Dismissal and is once again dismissed, the student can file one additional appeal as long as the appeal is based on different mitigating circumstance(s) and occurred after the previous successful appeal. Additionally, the student must also be showing significant Satisfactory Academic Progress and mathematically possible for the student to meet the next SAP evaluation point. In addition to the campus review, it must also be reviewed by the University Vice President of Academic Affairs.