The U.S. Department of Education regulations require that educational institutions measure students’ progress toward a declared educational objective, both quantitatively and qualitatively in order to be eligible to receive Federal Title IV aid, which includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Work Study, Federal Stafford Loans, Parent PLUS Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans.
Measurements of Progress
Wilkes University measures Satisfactory Academic Progress using three metrics:
- Maximum Time Frame
- PACE
- Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and other state grant agencies have separate satisfactory academic progress requirements for their scholarship and grant programs. Wilkes University scholarship and grant recipients must meet the minimum federal requirements and are also subject to minimum, cumulative grade point averages, as specified by the award. External scholarships and grants may have different satisfactory academic progress renewal requirements.
Detailed information about academic probation for continuation in a program of study may be found in the respective academic catalogs:
Maximum Time Frame
A student may not exceed a maximum number of attempted credits in any program(s), even if aid was not received during all periods of enrollment. The maximum number of credits is 150% of a student's program(s) required credits. Once a student reaches the maximum amount of credits attempted as specified by the program(s), the student will be ineligible to receive further Title IV aid. Students in this category may submit appeals in accordance with the Appeals section of this policy.
PACE
This measurement ensures that a student is completing their program(s) within the maximum time frame allowed. PACE is calculated by dividing total credits earned by total credits attempted and includes accepted transfer and advanced standing credits in both the numerator and denominator. PACE is measured annually at the conclusion of the spring semester.
The PACE percentage differs by academic year as shown in the below table:
| Academic Year | Minimum Percentage |
|---|---|
| First-Year & Sophomore Undergraduate Students | 65% |
| Junior & Senior Undergraduate Students Graduate Students |
70% |
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
In addition to the maximum time frame and PACE requirements specified below, all undergrad students must maintain a minimum of at least a cumulative grade point average of 1.70 after first academic year and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 all subsequent years in order to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress for receipt of federal aid. All graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress for receipt of federal aid.
Monitoring Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
Both PACE and GPA requirements are measured at the end of each spring semester. In the interim, all students are responsible to monitor their compliance with all satisfactory academic progress requirements for receipt of aid funds. Students not meeting PACE and/or the minimum grade point average for receipt of federal aid must earn the sufficient number of credits and/or meet the minimum cumulative grade point average requirements before having aid reinstated, or have successfully appealed for an exception to the requirements.
Financial Aid Suspension
In the event a student's federal and/or University aid is canceled, a formal notice will be sent to the student informing him/her of the action and requirements for reinstatement and procedures for appeal.
Reinstatement of Aid
Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated when the student has reestablished satisfactory academic standing. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office in writing when cumulative GPA requirements have been met and/or PACE deficiencies are corrected. Once matriculated at the Wilkes University, credits taken at another institution must be approved by the student's advisor and the Registrar.
Appeals
Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated when the student has reestablished satisfactory academic standing. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office in writing when cumulative GPA requirements have been met and/or PACE deficiencies are corrected. Once matriculated at the Wilkes University, credits taken at another institution must be approved by the student's advisor and the Registrar.
Financial Aid Probation
Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated when the student has reestablished satisfactory academic standing. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office in writing when cumulative GPA requirements have been met and/or PACE deficiencies are corrected. Once matriculated at the Wilkes University, credits taken at another institution must be approved by the student's advisor and the Registrar.
Academic Improvement Plan
If a student will need more than one semester to remedy satisfactory academic progress the student will need to complete the Financial Aid Academic Improvement Agreement contract along with their appeal. If approved, students be eligible for aid on a semester by semester basis as long as they meet the conditions of the Financial Aid Academic Improvement Agreement contract. Academic progress will be reviewed each semester, and failure to meet the requirements in any semester will result in the loss of future financial aid.
Additional Circumstances to Consider
Credits dropped during the drop refund period of the term as defined on the published academic calendar are not counted as attempted credits. Incomplete courses are counted as attempted credits for the determination of PACE and maximum time frame.
When a student has a break in enrollment and is readmitted, satisfactory academic progress will be evaluated taking into consideration any transfer and advanced standing credits earned during the break in enrollment and accepted by the University.
Terms are comprised of all sessions and parts of term within a term. For measurement of satisfactory academic progress, January Intersession will be combined with spring term.
All forms of advanced standing credit such as advanced placement, transfer, validation, challenge, that are accepted by the University are considered as both attempted and earned in the calculation of PACE and maximum time frame.
Audited Courses are not considered as attempted or earned in the calculation of PACE and maximum time frame.
Repeated courses will be counted each time attempted and will be only counted in earned once. However, if a course which had been passed is repeated and the latter grade is an F, the course will no longer be counted in earned.
The maximum time frame will be calculated using the current major and all credits attempted and earned, including those from prior major(s) will be part of PACE and cumulative grade point average calculations.
Measurement of maximum time frame and PACE will be calculated based on the requirements of the subsequent degree.
Credits taken at another institution under an approved Consortium Agreement will be used when determining the student's number of credits earned. They will not affect a student's cumulative grade point average.