Morehead State University - Academic Advising: Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Advising

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients

The Higher Education Act mandated institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of “satisfactory academic progress” for students receiving financial assistance. This means that a student must make progress toward obtainment of an appropriate degree or certificate during each term that the student is enrolled. These standards are applicable to all federal, state, and institutional aid programs administered by Morehead State University.

At Morehead State University, in order to continue to receive financial aid, a student must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress by completing a minimum number of the total hours attempted, and by also maintaining a minimum GPA. MSU’s satisfactory academic progress schedule is as follows:

A student must successfully complete a minimum of 75 percent of the credit hours attempted during the last period of enrollment. Successful completion for this purpose is defined as receiving a grade of “D” or better.
If 1-16 hours have been attempted, a student must have at least a 1.6 cumulative GPA. If 17-32 hours have been attempted, a student must have at least a 1.7 cumulative GPA. If 33-48 hours have been attempted, a student must have at least a 1.8 cumulative GPA. If 49-67 hours have been attempted, a student must have at least a 1.9 cumulative GPA. If 68 or more hours have been attempted, a student must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
A student has attempted no more than 192 undergraduate hours for a bachelor’s degree, or no more than 96 hours for an associate’s degree.

Policies and Procedures

Satisfactory progress will be evaluated at the end of each spring semester.
Hours attempted for purposes of this policy will be defined as those for which a student receives a grade of A, B, C, D, E, F, I, IP, K, N, R, U, W, WP, or WF.
For undergraduate students, grades of E, F, I, IP, N, R, U, W, WP, and WF will not qualify as successful completion of hours attempted.
Non-credit remedial courses, courses taken for audit, and courses in which grades of K or P are received are not figured in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
If otherwise eligible, students will be given financial aid during a term in which they may be repeating a course.
A student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress as defined will not be permitted to receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid.

Appeals for Reinstatement of Financial Aid

Students who fail to meet satisfactory progress standards, as defined, may appeal the ruling to the Office of Financial Aid if they believe extenuating circumstances led to their failure to maintain satisfactory progress. Those desiring to appeal must do so in writing on the Satisfactory Progress Appeals Form and must attach supporting documentation. Copies of the appeals form may be obtained in the Office of Financial Aid. Students will be notified in writing of the action taken on their appeals.

Should a student’s financial aid eligibility be terminated for failure to maintain satisfactory progress as defined, the eligibility for financial aid will not be reinstated until the student enrolls for a subsequent academic term (fall, spring, or summer term) at his or her own expense, completes the term satisfying the satisfactory progress definition, and subsequently appeals to the Office of Financial Aid. Financial aid eligibility will be reinstated for all students whose appeals are approved.