Standards of Progress for all Financial Aid Recipients - Procedures

Transcripts of all aid recipients will be reviewed at the end of fall and spring semesters by the Financial Aid Office. From this review, a determination will be made about the satisfactory progress of each financial aid recipient. This review wil include the student's total academic history at Surry Community College, including remedial or developmental classes. The Fresh Start/In-House Transfer Exclusion Policy does not apply to the grade point calculation used to qualify students for federal aid. In order to receive aid, a student must be making satisfactory progress regardless of whether he or she has previously received aid. These are the conditions related to satisfactory progress:

1. Financial aid recipients in the two-year college transfer or Associate in Applied Science Degree (Technical) programs must maintain the following grade point averages to be classified as making satisfactory progress:
   
   

   0 to 20 credit hours attempted	1.00 cumulative grade point average must be attained
   21 to 35 credit hours attempted	1.50 cumulative grade point average must be attained
   36 to 50 credit hours attempted	1.75 cumulative grade point average must be attained
   51 credit hours to end of program	2.00 cumulative grade point average must be attained

   
   Note: In addition to these GPA requirements, a student must complete at least 50% of the credit hours attempted each semester.
   
   
2. Financial aid recipients in the diploma or eligible certificate programs must maintain the following grade point average to be classified as making satisfactory progress:
   
   

   0 to 15 credit hours attempted	1.50 cumulative grade point average must be attained
   16 to 26 credit hours attempted	1.75 cumulative grade point average must be attained
   27 to end of program	2.00 cumulative grade point average must be attained

   
   Note: In addition to these GPA requirements, a student must complete at least 50% of the credit hours attempted each semester.
   
   
3. At the end of each level previously described, an aid recipient has one full probationary semester in which to bring his or her GPA up to the minimum requirements. During the probationary semester, a student must attempt at least 6 credit hours, attain a minimum GPA and complete at least 50% of the credit hours attempted for that semester. Failure to do so will cause him or her to be terminated from receiving further financial assistance.To re-establish eligibility after termination, students must complete at least 6 credit hours including 50% of the hours attempted in a semester, and attain the minimum GPA required on the proceeding page. Students must present an updated copy of their qualifying transcript to the aid office, along with a request for reconsideration of eligibility.
   
   
4. Students receiving certain types of aid who withdraw from any or all courses during any semester or pay period, may be subject to repay a pro-rated amount of the assistance.
   
   
5. Any financial aid recipient who withdraws from school MUST notify the Financial Aid Directory. Failure to notify the Financial Aid Director can result in a forfeiture of the probationary semester.
   
   
6. Only grades of A, B, C, D, and F will be used to calculate GPA as explained in this catalog. Financial aid cannot be awarded for an audit. Also, Title IV aid will not pay for a student to repeat any classes already showing on a transcript, including those listed as transfer credit, regardless of whether aid was received for the class(es). No aid can be paid for classes in which a student has earned proficiency credits, designated as "CR" on the transcript.
   
   
7. Time Limitation: Federal regulations (07-01-94) require that schools establish a maximum time limit during which the student on aid must complete his or her degree at Surry Community College. This time limit is 150% of the number of credit hours needed for the degree.
   
   For example, a student pursuing an A.A.S. degree in Paralegal Technology (69 credit hours) must attain that degree after attempting 104 credit hours:
   (69 x 150% = 104). Students will be terminated from aid after reaching the maximum time frame allowed for their program of study. A reconsideration due to mitigating circumstances is only allowed one time. All attempted hours on the transcript will be counted in this time frame, unless hours are used for a previous degree received.
   
   Students will lose their aid after reaching the maximum time frame allowed for their degree/diploma unless there are mitigating circumstances. All attempted hours on the transcript will be counted int his time frame, unless hours are used for a previous degree received.
   
   Note: Students who are terminated from an aid program must receive counseling from the Financial Aid Director before being eligible for future financial assistance. Any deviation from the above policy will be at the discretion of the Financial Aid Director. In order to appeal financial aid termination, a student must be able to document mitigating circumstances.
   
   To appeal, students must indicate in writing to the Financial Aid Office the reason why they did not meet satisfactory progress and why financial aid should not be terminated. Documentation to support the appeal is required.

The Financial Aid Director will review the appeal to determine whether or not termination of aid is justified and will advise the student in person or by letter.

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A student who wishes to appeal the decision of the Financial Aid Director may request a hearing with the Dean of Student Development for final detrmination. This action will exhaust the appeals process.

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Veterans - Standards of Academic Progress for all Veterans Receiving GI BIll or Other Veteran's Benefits

The minimum grade point averages detailed in the Standards of Academic Progress Policy previously described also pertain to students receiving veteran's benefits. In addition to these Grade Point Average requirements, the following conditions apply.

1. Only grades of A, B, C, D, and F will be used to calculate GPA as explained in the college catalog. The Veterans Administration will not pay for audits, withdrawals, incompletes, or proficiency credits.
2. For all degrees, diplomas, or certificates, after 75% of credit hours are earned in a particular program, a 2.00 cumulative grade point average must be attained. There is no probationary period if students do not meet this requirement. For example, if a student needs 100 total credit hours in his or her program, after 75 credit hours are earned, he or she must have a 2.00 GPA to continue receiving benefits.
3. Students may contact the veterans certifying official in Student Development for questions pertaining to veterans benefits.

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