Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
For Financial Aid Applicants/Recipients

According to United States Department of Education regulations and Illinois Student Assistance Commission policy, a student applying for federal and/or state financial assistance must maintain satisfactory progress in his/her course of study to receive these funds. Furthermore, such course of study must lead to a Southwestern Illinois College associate degree or a certificate that has been approved by the Department of Education.

Students must be making academic progress regardless of whether financial aid had previously been received at SWIC. All prior terms of attendance are included in the evaluation. Transfer courses from other colleges that have been accepted for credit by Southwestern Illinois College will also be considered in determining eligibility. Students who have not previously received financial aid may not be notified of their status until they have applied for financial aid.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS REQUIREMENTS

A student is considered to be in Good Standing if both of the following are met:

1. Cumulative GPA - all students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0.
2. Cumulative Completion Rate - all students must maintain a cumulative completion rate (hours earned divided by hours attempted) of at least 67%.

A student who fails to maintain the required Cumulative GPA or Cumulative Completion Rate (or both), OR fails to complete any credit hours for the semester will be placed on Probation for one semester.

PROBATION

If, after the Probation semester, the student achieves a Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above AND a Cumulative Completion Rate of at least 67%, the student will be in Good Standing.

If, after the Probation semester, the student does not have BOTH the required Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above AND a Cumulative Completion Rate of at least 67% the student may remain on Probation if:

1. Semester GPA is at least 2.0
   AND
2. Semester Completion Rate is at least 100%

If not, the student will be placed on Suspension.

SUSPENSION

Suspension occurs when a student fails to meet progress requirements for two semesters. Students may regain Good Standing after they have completed enough courses to bring their Cumulative GPA up to a 2.0 and their Cumulative Completion Rate up to 67%. Students may appeal suspension status only if extenuating circumstances contributed to their lack of academic progress. Details on the appeal process are available in the Financial Aid and Student Employment Office.

MAXIMUM TIME FRAME

Southwestern students in a degree program who have over 96 attempted hours and students in certificate programs who have over 46 attempted hours have exceeded the timeframe for financial aid eligibility. Students who have received a Bachelors degree have also exceeded the timeframe. Students who have changed programs and/or have obtained prior degree(s) or certificate(s) may make a written request for an extension of the timeframe. Details on requesting a timeframe extension are available in the Financial Aid and Student Employment office.

COMPLETION OF CLASSES

Courses graded with 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D', or 'P' are considered completed.
Courses graded with 'I', 'W', 'PR', 'WF', or 'F' are not considered as completed.

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