Academic Requirements for Financial Aid Eligibility

Federal and state regulations require that institutions of higher education establish minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for students to be eligible for 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 the academic requirements for financial aid eligibility does not affect the student’s academic standing at SUNY Poly.

The federal and state regulations governing the financial aid programs require students to meet certain academic requirements in order to receive financial aid. To be academically eligible for financial aid, you must be:

  • Matriculated (accepted into a degree program)
  • Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester for federal aid programs (you may qualify for Pell at less than half-time status)
  • 12 credit hours each semester (6 credit hours during the summer term) for the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (courses you have previously passed and are now repeating cannot be counted toward the required hours)
  • 6 credit hours for part-time TAP
  • 3-11 credit hours for the NYS Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS) program
  • Making satisfactory academic progress

Please note: only courses required for your degree program are considered in determining your enrollment status as it relates to financial aid eligibility. Student aid cannot be awarded for classes that do not count towards 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;
    • 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; “IP” in progress.

Notification

The Financial Aid Office notifies by letter or email 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

A student 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 Maintaining Eligibility 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 Undergraduate Standing section of 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.

Requirements for New York State Financial Aid Programs

In addition to the previously stated academic requirements, a student who has been determined eligible for an award from a New York State aid program must meet the New York State academic requirements. Visit www.hesc.ny.gov for further information. If you do not meet the above academic requirements, you will not be eligible for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS), or other New York State aid programs. If you received credit for a TAP, APTS, or other New York State aid award on your bill, and subsequent verification of your academic eligibility reveals that you did not meet the requirements, we are required to cancel your award and you will be required to pay any balance owed SUNY Poly. A student can regain eligibility only by being granted a one-time waiver if extraordinary circumstances prevented the student from meeting the criteria or by making up deficiencies without receiving TAP, APTS, or other New York State aid program awards (this provision does not re-establish eligibility for a student who fails to meet the 2.0 cumulative grade point average requirement). Additional information on satisfactory academic progress requirements can be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid Office. The information contained in the financial aid section of the catalog is correct at the time of printing. Changes in policies, requirements, and regulations may occur at any time.