Evangel University is required by law to establish satisfactory academic progress standards to gauge the progress of students receiving financial assistance through federal, state, or institutional aid programs by applying both qualitative and quantitative measurements to academic work. [34 CFR 668.16(e)] These measurements shall be used to determine a student’s eligibility for all federal Title IV aid and for other need-based financial assistance unless the terms of a particular grant or funding source states otherwise. Degree-seeking students in all undergraduate and graduate programs are covered under this policy. (SAP) will be reviewed at the end of every academic year, and you must be meeting SAP standards, or you will lose aid eligibility.
General Undergraduate Guidelines
The academic policy at Evangel University is designed to enable students to achieve graduation requirements. Graduation requirements include a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 at the time of program completion. Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is measured using qualitative and quantitative standards to promote this outcome. All students must meet the requirements of both quantitative and qualitative satisfactory academic progress listed below to receive financial aid.
Quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must complete 67% of the number of credit hours for which they have enrolled to remain eligible for federal financial aid. To establish a quantitative measure, a time frame is set for students to finish a program of study.
Quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students who drop below the following minimum cumulative GPA will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The student’s cumulative GPA includes credits for courses accepted by Evangel University from other institutions that count toward the student’s degree.
Maximum Time Frame. Regulations require the maximum time frame to not exceed 150% of the published length of the program, measured in the required academic credit hours. For example, the length of most undergraduate academic programs is 124 credit hours required for degree completion and may not exceed 186 attempted credit hours (150% of 124 credit hours = 186 maximum attempted hours).
|
Number of Credits Attempted |
Minimum Cumulative GPA |
|
1.29.5 |
1.50 |
|
30-44.5 |
1.70 |
|
45-59.5 |
1.90 |
|
60+ |
2.0 |
Students whose cumulative GPA drops below the minimum requirement while they are in the graduate program, or who fail to meet standards established by their program in other facets of the curriculum, or who receive three C grades in their coursework, will be placed on SAP suspension. Additionally, the quantitative measure of SAP will be evaluated with the same standard as undergraduate students.
|
Program |
Minimum Cumulative GPA |
|
College of Online Studies Undergraduate |
See undergraduate table above. |
|
Graduate Studies |
3.0 |
|
Seminary—Doctoral |
3.0 |
|
Seminary—Master of Arts |
2.5 |
|
Seminary—Master of Divinity |
2.0 |
Definitions
Attempted Hours: Any course for which the student receives any of the following grades, A-F (including plus/minus), P/F, I, W, WP, WF
Hours Not Counted as Attempted: Audited courses
Successfully Completed Hours: All course for which the student receives a passing grade: A-D (including plus/minus), P.
Unsuccessfully Completed Hours: All courses for which the student receives any of the following grades: F, I, W, WP, WF
Evaluation Period: A student’s academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each academic year. Academic years for traditional UG students include fall and spring semesters. Summer is only included if the student is taking a summer course. AGTS, Graduate, and College of Online Studies undergraduate students will also have SAP evaluated annually at the spring semester.
Financial Aid Suspension: If a student fails to meet SAP requirements by the end of the academic year, they will be placed on SAP suspension. Financial aid suspension will result in the loss of all federal and institutional aid. The student does have the option to appeal if they are placed on SAP suspension.
Financial Aid Probation: A student who successfully appeals a financial aid suspension will be placed on financial aid probation and will have their aid eligibility reinstated for the following academic year while also agreeing to an academic plan to assist the student in meeting the SAP requirement. The academic plan will be an agreement established between the student and the Center for Student Success (or applicable academic office). Successful completion of the academic plan requires the student to meet SAP requirements and meet the graduation requirements of the school.
Re-establishing Academic Progress: A student is removed from financial aid suspension or probation when the student makes up the appropriate grade point and/or credit deficiency during the academic year. This may require the student to attend another college or university to bring up the GPA and meet the necessary hours for progression. If a student who is on suspension successfully completes a term without receiving financial aid and meets the satisfactory academic progress requirements, the student will regain financial aid eligibility for all programs the following payment period except for Direct Loans. Direct Loan eligibility is retroactive to the beginning of the enrollment period.
Repeated Classes: Classes in which the student received a grade of “F” may be repeated to earn a higher grade. For a class to count as a repeated course, the class must be taken both times at Evangel. In all cases, the grade earned the last time a student takes the course replaces the earlier grade. The record of the previous grade remains on the transcript, but it does not affect the grade point average.
Withdrawn Classes: Students may withdraw from a class and receive a W with no GPA penalty through the end of week 9 each semester. During weeks 10 through 14, withdrawal requires either WP (Withdraw Passing, no GPA penalty) or WF (Withdraw Failing, counted as an F for grade calculation). No withdrawals are accepted during the final examination week.
Incomplete Classes: An incomplete grade is a temporary grade, assigned at the end of a semester, to permit students additional time to complete work in the course when one or more required assignments are not completed because of illness, accident, death in family, or other satisfactory reason. Incomplete grades do not earn credit or influence the grade point in the semester in which the course is incomplete; however, the course grades are counted once concluded. Incompletes must be completed by the end of the following semester. A student on suspension status may regain eligibility when a grade is posted for the incomplete grade.
Audited Classes: Audited classes receive no credit and do not influence grade point average. They are not counted in credits attempted and are not eligible for financial aid.
Remedial Classes: Remedial classes will be included in the total number of credits for the semester when determining financial aid eligibility.
Pass/Fail Classes: Pass/Fail classes are not calculated in the cumulative GPA but are included in credits attempted.
Transfer Students: Transfer students are accepted from regionally accredited colleges and universities based on transcripts and satisfactory student records. Credits may be granted for most standard university courses with grades of C- or higher. Only transferred courses accepted by the courses’ grades (GPA) and completion (y/n) will be used in SAP calculations. Transfer students who are admitted and do not meet our quantitative and/or qualitative standard will be notified that they are on warning for their first semester.
Change of Major: Changing majors may or may not result in the student meeting qualitative or quantitative measures. Any change of major should be carefully considered, and students are encouraged to consult their academic advisor when contemplating a change of major. If the major change is being considered to allow more financial aid funding, the student should check with Student Financial Services before making the change to ensure that the change will result in their regaining or retaining eligibility.
Appeals Procedures: Students who have been placed on suspension from financial aid due to their failure to comply with the academic progress policy have the right to appeal, if suspension is a result of unusual circumstances, such as illness, death in the family, accidents, or other satisfactory reasons. [34 CFR 668.16(e)(5)(6)] Students who wish to appeal must contact their financial aid counselor and complete the SAP Appeal form. The form includes information regarding why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. Appeals must be received no later than two weeks prior to the beginning of the term in which aid is suspended (summer term excluded). Students will receive written notification of the committee’s decision. If the appeal is denied, students may request a personal hearing with the committee. A successful appeal will result in the student being placed on financial aid probation with an academic plan and the continued eligibility for the payment period. The student may appeal each suspension one time and the decision of the Financial Aid Appeal Committee is final.
Academic Plan Procedures: Students who have successfully appealed their suspension will agree to an academic plan. The requirements for the academic plan will be developed and outlined in coordination with the Registrar, the Center for Student Success, and in some cases the student’s advisor. The plan will be provided to the student in writing and the student’s signature is required. The Office of Financial Aid will monitor the student’s progress as required by the academic plan. The monitoring will occur, at minimum, at the end of each term.
Amendments to the Policy: This policy will be amended whenever applicable federal, or state laws or regulations change.