Federal regulations require an institution to evaluate the academic progress of students receiving federal financial aid. Effective July 1, 1994, federal regulations require institutions to strengthen their policies. These regulations include a 20 qualitative measure of the student’s progress (GPA), quantitative measure (completing ratio) and time frame.

The regulations mandate that institutions of higher education apply “standards of academic progress” for students receiving financial aid for Title IV federal programs. Schools must apply a reasonable standard of academic progress.

The standard assesses academic progress for all classes taken including transfer credits form other institutions regardless of whether aid is received.

All students applying for and/or receiving Title IV Financial Aid at Tougaloo College must be progressing satisfactorily towards completing of their degree.

Qualitative Measure (GPA)

Freshmen student must have at least a 1.65 Grade Point Average (GPA) at the end of the first year. All other students (sophomores, juniors and seniors) must have an equivalent of a "C" average or 2.00 GPA.

Students with an academic standing of suspension do not meet the Qualitative Standard.

Quantitative Measure (Completion Ratio)

A student must receive passing grades in a minimum of 67% of all attempted credit hours. Grades of F, W, WF, I, do not count as passing.

The student must successfully pass a total of 16 hours in order to meet the Quantitative Measure of Satifactory Academic Progress.

Time Frame

The maximum time frame for completion of any degree program is 150% of the published length of the program.

Example: Tougaloo College published length of an Associate degree is 62 hours, therefore, the maximum time frame must not exceed 93 attempted credit hours (62 x 1.5 = 93): the published length for a four year degree is 124 semester hours, therefore, the maximum time must not 21 exceed 186 attempted credit hours (124 x 1.5 = 186).

Repeats, Incompletes and Withdrawals

All courses receiving grades (including repeated courses) and grades forgiven will be counted as credits attempted for calculating satisfactory academic progress. For financial aid purposes, course repetition will be limited to a total of eight (8) courses or 24 semester hours. Incompletes (I) will be treated as a failing grade until removed.

A "W" will not be used in calculating the student’s grade point average, but all "W’s" will be counted in determining the number of semester hours attempted for the purposes of determining eligibility to receive financial aid.

All "F's" will be used in calculating the grade point average and will be counted in determining the number of semester hours attempted for the purposes of determining eligibility for aid. Students receiving all Fs in a semester may have their financial aid returned to the Department of Education and/or lender, if it is determined that the student stopped, never attended or stop attending one or more classes.

Audit courses do not count toward determining eligibility for aid nor are they considered as courses completed for purpose of quantitative measure.

Academic Review Process

Financial Aid recipients will be reviewed for satisfactory academic progress at the end of each spring semester. Student who attend summer school will be reviewed after summer school grades are posted. A student who does not meet the standards will be placed on financial aid suspension.

A student on financial aid suspension, due to a lack of not meeting the satisfactory academic progress standard is eligible to reapply for financial aid after:

• Enrolling in one full-time semester at one's own expense
  
  
• Meeting the satisfactory academic progress standard
  
  

Right to an Appeal

Students may file an appeal with the Office of Financial Aid if they feel extenuating circumstances prevented them from meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards prior to the next academic period. If allowed to continue on financial aid, they may be given terms that must be met such as taking a reduced load, must not drop courses and must earn at least the minimum required GPA for the semester.

Appeals must state clearly all circumstances and give documentation why the student failed to meet the satisfactory academic progress standard. Evidence should also be given showing that you are likely to be successful at Tougaloo College regardless of previous academic history.

The Financial Aid Appeals Committee reviews all appeals. The committee consists of the Director of Financial Aid, Registrar, Assistant Vice President Academic Affairs and a representative from CSAR/OSS. The Financial Aid Office will notify students in writing of the decision of the Committee.

Confidentiality

Tougaloo complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the “Buckley Amendment”. The ACT, which was passed by the Congress in 1974, protects the rights of the student in matters of access to, and release of, information contained in the student’s records. Information that is provided by the student is treated in a confidential manner in accordance with this amendment. As a result, the financial Aid Office will not release information or records in a student’s file except upon written request by the student. Further details may be obtained by contacting the Director of Financial Aid.

Fraud

Throughout the financial aid process, students may be required to submit several documents to the Financial Aid Office in order to complete their application. Most of the documents will require the student’s signature, and many of them will also require the parent(s)’ or spouse’s signature(s). Please keep in mind that signing someone else’s name is considered fraud. The person whose signature is being requested must sign the document. Students may not sign their parent(s’ name, parent(s) may not sign their son’s/daughter’s name, and spouses may not sign for their husband/wife. Any student whose applications are suspected by the Tougaloo College Office of Financial Aid of containing fraudulent signatures may be required to submit a new application with notarized signature to the Financial Aid Office. Any questions may be directed to the Director of Financial Aid.