Satisfactory Academic Progress
Quantitative Progress
Students will be eligible to receive federal financial aid (all Title IV programs) for up 150% of their degree program’s published length. These limits are prorated for longer periods of time for students enrolled less than full-time.
Federal student aid recipients are considered to be making satisfactory progress if they meet the following quantitative requirements:
By the end of the: |
|
Credit Hours Completed if three quarter-time or less |
1st Academic Year | 21 | 12 |
2nd Academic Year | 42 | 24 |
3rd Academic Year | 63 | 36 |
4th Academic Year | 84 | 48 |
5th Academic Year | 105 | 60 |
6th Academic Year | 128 | 72 |
The number of credit hours completed will be reviewed at the end of the spring semester
each academic year. Students who fail to meet the minimum standards will be suspended
from receiving financial aid until the deficient credit hours are satisfactorily completed.
Summer credits may be counted toward meeting requirements for the previous academic
year. Correspondence courses may also count toward the requirements for the previous
academic year provided they are completed (final grade and credit recorded) during
that academic year.
A course in which a grade of "incomplete" is assigned will not be used to meet course
load requirements. If the incomplete is changed to a passing grade, it will be recorded
in the term during which the course was taken and will then apply to the requirements.
Transfer credits will be counted as part of the cumulative GPA and quantitative progress
towards a degree.
Withdrawals, repetitions, and noncredit remedial courses will not be used to meet
course load requirements.
Students receiving financial aid who reduce their course loads after enrollment must
contact Student Financial Services.
Qualitative Progress
- Freshman ( 0-28 hrs) - 1.700 GPA
- Sophomore (29-58 hrs) - 1.800 GPA
- Junior (59-88 hrs) - 1.900 GPA
- Senior (89-up hrs) - 2.000 GPA
Students are required to achieve a C average by graduation. C average is defined as
a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Grade point averages will be reviewed at the end of the spring
semester each academic year. Students must have the required grade point at the end
of the term or they will be suspended from receiving financial aid until such time
as they have achieved the required GPA.
Probation
There is not a probation period for students failing to meet satisfactory progress.
Suspension
If students are denied aid because of lack of satisfactory progress, courses must
be taken at student's own expense until minimum number of hours and/or the required
GPA have been reached. Once the required number of hours and/or GPA has been attained
the student must inform the Director of Student Financial Service in writing for their
eligibility to be reinstated.
Appeal Process
Students who feel that mitigating circumstances prevented them from making satisfactory
academic progress may appeal the decision to suspend their financial aid eligibility.
A written appeal may be submitted to the Director of Student Financial Services.
Teach Grant
If the student is in the first year of a program of undergraduate education as determined
by the institution, he or she must have a final cumulative secondary school grade
point average (GPA) upon graduation of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
The student must maintain a numeric equivalent through the most recently completed
payment period of at least a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. The GPA must be based on courses
taken at the institution through the most recently completed payment period.
If the student is beyond the first year of a program of undergraduate education as
determined by the institution a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 on a
4.0 scale or the numeric equivalent though the most recently coupled payment period.
If the student is a graduate student during the first payment period, he or she must
have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, or the numeric
equivalent.
If the student is a graduate student beyond the first payment period, he or she must
have a cumulative graduate GA oaf at least 3.25 on a 4.0.
Requirements for OBU Scholarship Maintenance
[There will not be a warning semester for those students who do not meet minimum satisfactory progress guidelines as stated above.]
If the required grade point is not reached by the end of the next regular semester, the scholarship is dropped. In the event the student later raises the GPA to the required level, a written appeal for reinstatement of the scholarship may be made to the Director of Student Financial Services.
SCHOLARSHIP/GRANT | CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT REQUIRED |
ASSOCIATIONAL/TIGER NETWORK | 2.000 |
OBU GRANT | 2.000 |
OUACHITA MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS: | 2.000 |
OUACHITA SCHOLARS | 2.000 |
PRESIDENT'S SCHOLARSHIP | 2.000 |
FOUNDER'S SCHOLARSHIP | 2.000 |
DEAN'S SCHOLARSHIP | 2.000 |
COLLEGIATE SCHOLARSHIP | 2.000 |
OPPORTUNITY AWARD | 2.000 |