Webmail
Office of Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
The Education Amendments of 1976 require institutions to limit federal financial aid to those students who, according to institutional standards, are matriculates, in good standing and making satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress requires the following:
- The J.D. student may receive federal financial aid for a maximum of four and one-half years if a full-time student, or six years if a part-time student. The LL.M. student may receive federal financial aid for a maximum of two and one-half years if a full-time student, or five years if a part-time student.
- The full-time J.D. student must complete a minimum of 24 credits per year and the part-time J.D. student a minimum of 16 credits per year. The full-time LL.M. graduate student must complete a minimum of ten credits per year, or six credits if a part-time student.
- A student whose academic progress is being evaluated after only one semester of attendance must complete at least half of the annually required credit hours.
- In order to participate in the federal loan program, one must maintain a 2.25 cumulative grade point average.
- Financial Aid staff will review satisfactory academic progress at the end of each student's loan period (June for students whose loan period runs from August to May)
- All the student's grades, including failing grades, will be included in the computation of grade point averages and, therefore, are considered for satisfactory progress.
- A student repeating his or her first year or years will be eligible for federal loans during the years being repeated, but is eligible for federal financial aid for only the maximum time frame.
- The student who withdraws is not making satisfactory progress toward his or her degree.
- The student who has not met the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements may not participate in the federal loan program for the next semester. Upon the student's written request, his or her progress will be evaluated at the end of the unaided semester.
- For purposes of assessing satisfactory academic progress, prior written approval from the Director for Academic Services will override the above stated criteria.
- The student may appeal the denial of federal student loans to the Director for Academic Affairs in the case of medical emergency or other extenuation circumstances. All appeals must be in writing.
