REQUIREMENTS OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

All students must meet the following satisfactory academic progress requirements to receive federal student aid. The academic records of all aid recipients are reviewed annually at the end of the spring semester to determine compliance. State and non-federal programs, and scholarships may have different standards of satisfactory academic progress.

Beginning fall 2009, academic records of all aid recipients will be reviewed at the end of each semester.

Grade Point Average Requirement

Undergraduate students must meet the minimum cumulative Missouri State grade point average (excludes transfer work) requirement of 2.00 by the end of their fourth full semester (excluding summer). Graduate students must meet the minimum cumulative Missouri State grade point average (excludes transfer work) requirement of 3.00 by the end of their fourth full semester (excluding summer).

Beginning fall 2009, undergraduate students must meet a cumulative GPA of 2.0 after 24 attempted credit hours.  Graduate students must meet a cumulative GPA of 3.0 after 9 attempted credit hours.  Transfer hours are excluded for both undergraduate and graduate hours

Hours Completion Requirement

Undergraduate students must complete 67% of their attempted starting credit hours each academic year. Graduate students must complete 67% of their attempted starting graduate level credit hours each academic year. (Graduate level credit hours are defined as 500 or above level classes.) For example, a student enrolled in 14 hours must complete 10 hours to meet this requirement. Starting hours are based on the number of hours in which a student is enrolled at the end of the Change of Schedule Period each semester. Courses in which students receive "F" grades do not count as completed hours. Only courses in which students receive grades of "A," "B," "C," "D," or "P" count as completed hours.

Beginning fall 2009, overall attempted hours versus overall completed hours will be reviewed at the end of each semester.  For example, a student who has attempted 87 overall credit hours and upon review has only completed 56 of the 87 attempted hours would not meet the 67 percent requirement (56/87 = 64 percent).  Repeated courses in which students have previously earned credit will not count toward hours completed.  Graduate level credit hours are defined as 600 level or above.

Maximum Hours Limitation Requirement

Students may only receive aid until they reach the maximum hours limit. The limit is 150% of the hours required for the program of study. For example, if the typical bachelor's degree requires 125 credit hours, the limit for maximum attempted hours would be 188. Hours accepted by Missouri State in transfer are included in the maximum hour limit. Required hours for a specific program of study are found in the Undergraduate or Graduate Catalogs. Students who have completed all the course work for their degree or certificate but have not yet received the degree or certificate, are no longer eligible for financial aid for that program.

Probationary Period

A one-time-only probationary period will be granted to students who, upon review, do not meet hours completion requirements. The probationary period will extend through the end of the following semester (excluding summer). If students are not in compliance with the hours completion requirements and the required grade point average at the end of their probationary period, financial aid eligibility will be terminated.

Beginning fall 2009, a one-time only probationary period will be granted to students who, upon semester review, do not meet hours completion or GPA requirements.  The probationary period will extend through the end of the semester for which it is granted.

Automatic Termination of Aid Eligibility

Failure to meet special requirements of satisfactory progress imposed by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee (FAAC), default on a federally funded student loan or failure to repay a grant overpayment will result in automatic termination of aid eligibility. Students who withdraw and/or are suspended from the University two consecutive semesters of attendance will have their aid eligibility terminated.

Re-Establishing Aid Eligibility

Before aid eligibility can be re-established students must complete 67% of their starting credit hours at Missouri State (6 credit hour minimum), be removed from University academic probation and achieve the required grade point average. Financial aid will not be available during this period. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) when reinstatement requirements are completed.

Appeal Procedure

If academic deficiencies were the result of unusual and extenuating circumstances, students may explain those circumstances to the FAAC. An appeal form is available in the OSFA or online at www.missouristate.edu/financialaid/forms.asp. Appeals for the current semester will not be processed after the tenth week of classes (the fourth week of summer session). Appeals for prior semesters will not be considered. Students will receive written notification of the FAAC's decision. If the appeal is approved, students may have their records reviewed at the end of each semester. If the appeal is denied, students may request a personal hearing with the Committee. The decision of the FAAC is final.