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Federal regulations require that all financial aid recipients progress at a reasonable rate ("make satisfactory progress") toward achieving a certificate or degree. This requirement applies to all terms regardless of whether or not the student received financial aid. Progress is measured by (1) the student's cumulative grade point average, (2) the number of credits earned in relation to those attempted, and (3) the maximum time frame allowed to complete the academic program.

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average.  Grade point average is calculated by the Registrar's Office. Students who drop below the following minimum cumulative GPA will be placed on Financial Aid Probation:

2. Cumulative Credits Earned. Students who fail to complete the required percent of credits as defined below will be placed on Financial Aid Probation.

3. Maximum time frame. Students must complete their degree within the following maximum number of attempted credits:

Students will not be considered to reach or exceed the attempted credit hours maximum until after the term in which they reach or exceed their respective limit. Students are no longer eligible to receive financial aid after they reach these maximums.

Incomplete classes. Courses which are assigned an incomplete grade are included in the cumulative credits attempted. These credits are not earned until a passing grade is assigned.

Withdrawals. Courses from which the student withdraws after the close of registration are included in the cumulative credits attempted.

Repeated Classes. Repeated courses enable students to raise their cumulative grade point average. Credits for repeated courses are counted as both attempted credits and earned credits (assuming a passing grade is earned).

Transfer Students. All transfer credits accepted by Crown will be used in determining when the maximum time frame requirement has been reached. Students may, however, appeal to have only the credits accepted toward their Crown degree included in the maximum time frame calculation. Transfer credits are also used when calculating the required completion percentage.

Second Undergraduate Degree Students. Students who already have a first Baccalaureate Degree are eligible for loans if they are pursuing an initial teacher licensure or a second degree (i.e. they have a B.A., and are now seeking a B.S.). These students have up to an additional 187 attempted hours before exceeding the maximum time frame.

Financial Aid Probation. Students will be officially evaluated for satisfactory progress annually, at the end of spring term. Students who fail to meet any of the above standards of satisfactory progress will be placed on financial aid probation for the next semester they attend Crown.  Students may receive financial aid during the probation period.

Termination of Financial Aid. Following the probationary period students will be evaluated for satisfactory progress. If the student is not meeting the standards of satisfactory academic progress at the end of the probation period, financial aid will be terminated. If the student is making satisfactory academic progress the student will be removed from financial aid probation.

Students who are academically suspended (and not reinstated on appeal) are immediately terminated from financial aid, without a probation period.

Appeals. Students who fail to meet satisfactory progress may appeal this decision. The appeal must be presented in writing and should be accompanied with supporting documentation. Appeals should be sent to the Crown College Financial Aid Office and will be reviewed by the Director of Financial Aid. Acceptable reasons for appeal include injury or illness of the student, illness or death of an immediate relative of the student, or other extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control.

Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility. Students whose financial aid was terminated due to lack of satisfactory academic progress may choose to enroll without benefit of financial aid. Such students may request a review of their academic record after any probationary term to determine whether they have met the satisfactory academic progress standards. If the standards are met, financial aid eligibility is restored for subsequent terms of enrollment.

Students who withdraw from Crown College after their financial aid was terminated due to lack of satisfactory academic progress, may apply for financial aid after earning the equivalent of at least 24 semester hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at another post-secondary institution.

Questions. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office if they have questions about this policy, the appeal process, or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.