Financial Aid

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy



What do I need to do to keep my Financial Aid?

Satisfactory Progress: Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their classes to continue receiving financial assistance. Carefully read the Satisfactory Progress Regulations listed below.

Enrollment Changes: Students should notify the Student Financial Aid Office when they add or drop credits up until the 5th day of class, or if they make a complete withdrawal from CSI. Avoid problems in the future by notifying the Student Financial Aid Office of all credit changes.

Reapplication: Students must reapply and establish their eligibility annually. Awards are made for the year unless indicated otherwise.


What is Satisfactory Progress?

Satisfactory Progress Regulations : To be initially eligible for Federal financial aid, a student must be pursuing a degree or certificate program at CSI. To continue receiving Federal financial aid, a student must be making satisfactory academic progress towards that degree or certificate. At CSI, satisfactory academic progress will be measured by a combination of grade point average (GPA) and credits completed as compared to credits attempted. The Student Financial Aid Office will review grades and credit progress at the point of the student’s original application and at the completion of the spring semester.

To continue eligibility for aid, a student must complete, on an annual basis, 75% of their credits for which they were awarded with a minimum accumulative GPA of 1.5 for the first 25 CSI credits and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for 26 or more CSI credits. Further, a student will be ineligible for Federal aid when they have attempted 150% of the normal credit hours required for graduation in a degree or certificate program. Those credit amounts will vary, depending on the program. Refer to the table below to determine the maximum credits allowed for a selected degree or certificate programs.

Degree or Certificate Objective

Required Credits

Point of Appeal ***

Credits Allowed

  • Associate of Arts Degree

64

80

96

  • Associate of Science Degree

64

80

96

  • Associate of Engineering Degree

64

80

96

  • Associate of Applied Science Degree

64

80

96

  • Technical Certificate

28-51

38-61

42-77

  • Associate of Science-Nursing

73

90

110

*** Point of Appeal credits vary according to each individual program.

Exceptions to Satisfactory Progress:

    • If a student is on a financial aid contract, they will be evaluated at the end of the contract period (fall, spring, or summer );
    • If a student withdraws from CSI (medical or otherwise) they will be evaluated as of the date of withdrawal;
    • Grades of F, I (Incomplete), NC (No credit granted), NP (No Pass), AU (Audit) or W (withdrawal from a class) generally indicate that a student has not met satisfactory progress.  Students receiving all unsatisfactory grades will be evaluated at the conclusion of that enrollment period.

Academic Renewal:  Academic renewal is a forgiveness program that is offered through the CSI Records/Admission Office forgiving the student for one unsatisfactory semester. It is not recognized in the process of determining financial aid satisfactory progress.

REPEATING COURSES AND FINANCIAL AID:

    • Students repeating a course of similar content or number that has previously been passed with a grade of C or better will be denied Federal financial aid for that course.
    • Students will be allowed to receive Federal financial aid one time when repeating a course they previously received a grade of D, F, or NC.
    • The department chairperson for that academic or technical major must sign any exceptions to the above-mentioned policies.

What might jeopardize my financial aid in the future?

DENIAL OF FINANCIAL AID:
  • Students who do not maintain the required GPA and/or do not complete 75% of the credits for which they were awarded.
  • Students who have reached the maximum number of credits attempted as allowed for their stated degree or certificate.
  • Students who have attempted more than two majors.
  • Students who are on a financial aid contract and fail to meet the terms of the contract.
  • Students who have completed 0 credits during a semester or students who withdraw from CSI before the end of the semester.

How can I re-establish my eligibility for Federal Financial Aid?

Once placed on suspension, there are several options for a student to re-establish eligibility for financial aid.

  1.  If your suspension is due to “Incomplete (I)” grades, work with your instructors to complete the classes in a timely fashion and notify the CSI financial aid office when your grades have been posted.  We will then re-evaluate your Satisfactory Academic Progress status.
  2.  You may attend classes by paying your own costs or through means other than Federal Financial Aid until you have made up the credits for which you originally received financial aid but did not complete and your cumulative GPA is 2.0 or better.  If you have questions regarding the number of credits you need to complete, at your own expense, to be reconsidered for Federal Financial Aid, please consult a financial aid advisor.  Once you have completed the necessary number of credits we will re-evaluate your status.  If you meet the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress in your next semester of enrollment, you will be removed from financial aid suspension.
  3. You may appeal for reinstatement of financial aid if there were extenuating circumstances which led to your academic difficulties.  In order to appeal you must request and complete a Satisfactory Progress Appeal Form. The appeal form includes a Program Plan that must be completed and signed by your Academic Advisor.  Additionally, you must include a detailed statement explaining your extenuating circumstances and documentation verifying your claim.  Incomplete appeals/documentation cannot be considered.

What is the appeal process?

Students who are denied Federal financial aid due to lack of satisfactory progress or have reached the ***Point of Appeal, will be given the opportunity to file a written appeal with the Student Financial Aid Office. If the appeal is accepted, the student will be placed on a financial aid contract that will outline the conditions the student must meet in order to continue to receive financial aid. During the course of education at CSI, two satisfactory progress appeals will be considered. If a student is on a third suspension, they must complete twelve (12) credits, without Federal financial aid, toward their degree requirements with the appropriate cumulative GPA before reinstatement may be requested.

Students will be denied Federal financial aid if they have attempted more than two majors during the course of their education at the CSI. At the third major change, students will have the opportunity to file a written appeal to the Academic Appeals Committee based on extenuating circumstances. If the appeal is accepted, the student will be placed on a program plan that will outline the conditions the student must meet in order to continue receiving Federal financial aid.

REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID:

  • The student must request a review of satisfactory progress by notifying the financial aid office when they believe that their deficiencies in credit hours and/or required accumulative GPA have been satisfied. The financial aid office will review the student file and contact the student regarding proper action.

What if I don’t complete a semester?

Return of Title IV Funds

Federal law affects refund procedures for students who do not complete the semester.

    • Withdrawal Date -- if a student enrolls in classes but decides not to continue attending classes at CSI, they must complete an official withdrawal from classes immediately.
    • Repayment Obligations—if a student receives financial aid and does not attend classes, they need to repay all financial aid. If a student attends classes, CSI calculates repayment based on their withdrawal date or last date of attendance and the type and amount of financial aid they received.
    • Refund Amounts --regulations provide for calculation of the amount CSI must return to Title IV programs. The student may need to repay CSI for amounts the College is required to return to Federal financial aid programs. This amount may be in excess of the amount that the student owes to the Federal programs. The portion of the CSI refund that is greater than what must be returned to scholarships/U.S. Department of Education will be given to the student.

Satisfactory Progress Appeal Form

 

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