Quantitative Measure

Pace of Progression

The quantitative or time-based measure of a student’s progress is measured by reviewing a student’s pace of progression. Every student’s pace of progression is measured at the end of each semester by dividing cumulative credits successfully earned/completed by cumulated credits attempted.

Federal financial aid recipients must maintain a 70% minimum completion rate for attempted credit hours. Credit hours for a course are earned by completing and passing the class. Attempted hours include hours from which the student withdrew (W), received a grade of incomplete (I) or in progress (CIP), and remedial courses and repeated courses. Audit grades (AU) are not considered when calculating a student’s pace rate.

For example, if a student successfully passes three out of four 3-credit courses, the student has attempted 12 credits hour, but only earned 9 credit hours, yielding a pace of progression rate of 75%. This meets the SAP minimum requirement, and therefore, the student’s SAP status would be satisfactory, which continues their eligibility to receive Title IV loans. If, however, the student successfully passes only two of the four courses, the student’s pace of progression rate would be 50% and would not meet the SAP minimum threshold. The student would therefore be moved to SAP Suspension status and lose their eligibility to receive Title IV funding unless an appeal is granted.

Maximum Timeframe

Graduate students are eligible for financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the published length of the education program. All attempted, withdrawn, failed, repeated, and/or transferred credit hours that apply to a student’s program count toward this maximum timeframe.

For example, a student pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree requiring 36 credit hours may attempt up to 54 credit hours before financial aid eligibility is suspended (36 x 150% = 54). Students on SAP Suspension lose their eligibility to receive Title IV funding unless an appeal is granted.