Academic Requirements for Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal and state regulations governing financial aid programs require institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP) which a student must achieve in order to receive financial aid. These standards are applied to a student’s entire academic history at SUNY Poly, including periods when financial aid was not received. Failure to meet these SAP requirements for financial aid eligibility does not affect the student’s academic standing at SUNY Poly.

For a graduate student to be academically eligible for financial aid, a student must meet these criteria:

  • Be matriculated (accepted into a degree program)
  • Enrollment in at least 5 graduate credit hours each semester for federal aid programs
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (as defined on the Financial Aid Office website)

Please note that only courses required for your degree program are considered in determining your enrollment status as it pertains to financial aid eligibility. Student aid cannot be awarded for classes that do not count toward your degree.

Requirements for Maintaining Eligibility for Federal Student Aid Programs

Satisfactory academic progress is determined by measuring the student’s academic performance at SUNY Poly and consists of three components. In order to remain academically eligible for the federal aid programs, the student must meet the following requirements:

  • Maximum Time Frame: students must meet all degree requirements within 150% of the credit hours needed to earn the degree; and
  • Qualitative Measure: at the close of each spring semester students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or greater. Students must also maintain a cumulative grade point average greater than that which would result in academic dismissal (this information is listed in this catalog in the Undergraduate Standing section of the Academic Requirements and Policies chapter); and
  • Quantitative Measure: students must pass at least 66% of all credit hours attempted toward their degree (the 66% measurement will be reviewed at the close of each spring semester).

All requirements and procedures which follow apply to full-time and part-time students.

Review Policies

  • At the close of each spring semester, the cumulative GPA and number of credits earned by each student are reviewed for compliance with the criteria for good academic standing. Students not receiving financial aid are subject to the same criteria and can be placed on financial aid suspension for future consideration.
  • The following are considered credits passed: “A” through “D” grades; “S” passing with credit; and courses repeated for credit, subject to the above grades.
  • The following are not considered credits passed: ”F” grades; “W” withdrawal; any courses audited with no credit; “I” incomplete; and “IP” in progress.

Notification

The Financial Aid Office notifies by letter or e-mail any student who does not maintain satisfactory academic progress that he/she is being placed on financial aid suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension

A student who fails to meet any of the above requirements is placed on financial aid suspension for federal aid until the requirement has been met. Also, any student who withdraws from SUNY Poly, does not pass any courses (incompletes are not considered passing grades) or is academically dismissed may lose his/her eligibility for aid, be placed on a Financial Aid probationary status, and/or would be required to see Financial Aid for counseling. Financial aid suspension results in the termination of financial aid from all federal financial aid programs including loans. Students do not have to receive a warning before action is taken to deny financial aid.

Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension

Students may request a waiver of the satisfactory academic progress requirements through the following procedure:

  • The student submits a Request for a Waiver form (can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office) to the Director of Financial Aid. The request should include: reasons why he/she did not achieve the minimum academic requirements; reasons why his/her aid should not be terminated; and documentation which would support his/her reason for failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress (i.e., statement from doctor if reason given was medically related).
  • The Director of Financial Aid reviews the appeal and determines whether the granting of a waiver is warranted. The student is then advised of the decision.
  • Students whose appeals are approved will be placed on Financial Aid probation. Students who fail to meet the terms of their probationary period will be denied aid until they regain their eligibility.

Conditions of Reinstatement

  • A student’s eligibility for federal financial aid will be reinstated for subsequent semesters once the above “Requirements for Federal Student Aid Programs” have been met.
  • Students who are academically dismissed and who wish to return to SUNY Poly must submit an appeal to the Registrar’s Office. Those who are readmitted will need to apply for a Financial Aid Waiver if they do not otherwise meet the academic progress requirements. The Academic Requirements and Policies chapter in this catalog contains information on academic reinstatement.
  • A grade change may result in the reinstatement of a student’s eligibility. However, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the Financial Aid Office of any grade changes.