Academic Progress Policies

Federal IV Financial Aid Requirements

Each student will be reviewed for progress annually after the spring semester. A student must meet the following requirements in order to be making satisfactory academic progress and continue to receive Federal Title IV financial aid:

1. Successfully complete 67% of the total cumulative attempted and transfer credits. This includes any credits for which the student remained enrolled past the Drop/Add period.

2. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 by the end of the student's second academic year of attendance.

Important Notes:

A.   A student who is not making progress at the time of the annual review will be reviewed again after the summer and fall semesters.

B.   Courses taken at other institutions will be used in the determination of satisfactory progress only if they are accepted for transfer to WCU and count toward the student's degree. The student is responsible for submitting transcripts and evaluations to the Financial Aid Office. Remember: credits can transfer but cumulative averages do not.

C.   Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress according to these standards will result in the loss of Federal Title IV financial aid until such time as the student is again maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

D.   Undergraduate students may receive aid for up to 180 cumulative credits attempted. State grant eligibility may vary (Pennsylvania allows up to 8 full-time semesters). Graduate students may receive aid for up to 72 cumulative credits attempted.

E.   Students denied financial aid for failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress  may appeal that denial.

Definitions:

Credits Attempted: Credits for which a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, P, W, AU or NG has been received.

Successfully Completed Credits: Credits for which a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or P has been received. Grades of F, NG, AU, W, Y AND grades in repeated courses do not count as successfully completed credits.

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN ACADEMIC LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

A student must be enrolled for at least six credits to borrow through the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Maximum borrowing is based upon the student s academic grade level. Grade levels are determined based on the table below