Satisfactory Academic Progress
In accordance with federal regulations, all recipients of federal financial aid must maintain a satisfactory rate of progress toward degree completion (pace) and remain in good standing based on cumulative grade point average (GPA), regardless of whether financial aid was received previously. Progress is measured annually at the end of the Spring semester.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP) is calculated for every Batten University degree-seeking student, regardless of whether they have been awarded Title IV Financial Aid funds.
Key Definitions
Financial Aid Programs
All federal programs, VA state grant programs, scholarship programs offered through the university, federal work-study, and private education loans.
Earned vs. Attempted Credit Hours
Earned credits are courses in which the student receives a letter grade of "D" or better, or "S" in a Pass/Fail course.
Attempted credits are all courses in which the student enrolls and remains enrolled after the add/drop period — even if the student later withdraws or fails the course.
Pace Requirement
Undergraduate students must complete at least 67% and graduate students must complete at least 70% of cumulative credits attempted.
Example: A full-time undergraduate attempting 16 credits must complete at least 10.72 credits (16 × 0.67 = 10.72).
Maximum Time Frame
Students may receive financial aid for up to 150% of the credits required to complete their degree program.
Example: A bachelor's degree requiring 128 credits allows up to 192 attempted credits (128 × 1.5 = 192).
There are limited appeals or extensions of this rule. Students who exceed the maximum time frame may still receive limited federal aid and can apply for private loan funding or participate in a tuition payment plan.
Cumulative Grade Point Average
The GPA calculated from all credits taken at Batten University. Transfer credits count toward attempted and completed hours but are not factored into the cumulative GPA.
Minimum GPA Requirements
| Credit Hours Attempted | Minimum GPA |
|---|---|
| 23 or fewer | 1.8 |
| 24 – 52 | 1.9 |
| 53 or more | 2.0 |
| Graduate program | 3.0 |
Batten University scholarship programs require a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to retain awards. Batten Honors College requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Review Process
Frequency and Notification
FASAP is evaluated annually at the end of the Spring semester, regardless of whether the student received financial aid that term. Students are notified through their Batten University email once FASAP has been calculated. Students not meeting requirements will receive a separate notification.
Financial Aid Suspension
Suspension of financial aid eligibility occurs the semester after the student fails to meet GPA and pace requirements. Under suspension, a student is not eligible for federal, state, or Batten University scholarship/grant aid, but may submit an appeal to regain eligibility.
Options to Re-establish Eligibility
- Pay for the next semester through other means and have FASAP status re-evaluated after completion
- Request a mid-year recalculation
- Submit a FASAP appeal (see Appeal Process below)
Maximum Time Frame Suspension
Students who exceed the maximum time frame will be placed on Maximum Time Suspension and must appeal with an academic plan approved by the Learning Center. The plan must be followed and will be reviewed each semester until graduation. In most cases, aid will be limited to federal financial aid only.
Treatment of Special Grades & Circumstances
Incomplete Grades
Courses with a grade of "I" count as attempted credits but not earned credits. If a grade is updated after posting, the student may submit a FASAP Recalculation Request for a manual review.
Audit Courses
Do not count as credits attempted or earned.
Repeating Courses
All repeated courses count as attempted credits, regardless of whether financial aid was received. The grade earned in the repeated course determines the cumulative GPA. No additional earned credits are awarded for courses previously completed. Only courses repeated at Batten University can improve the student's cumulative GPA. Verify eligibility to repeat a course per Academic Policy before registering.
Withdrawals
Courses with a grade of "W" or "WF" count as attempted credits but not earned credits.
Remedial Courses
Credits earned from CLEP exams count as attempted and earned, but no grades or quality points are given. Credits from English 001 and Math 005 (remedial coursework) count as attempted and earned, and all grades and quality points are used in the cumulative GPA calculation.
Transfer Credits
Included in both attempted and completed credits, but grades do not transfer to Batten University and are not used in the cumulative GPA calculation.
Readmit Students
Upon readmission after any period of non-enrollment, your FASAP standing is re-evaluated as it stood at the end of your last semester. If you were making satisfactory progress, your eligibility is not affected. If you were on probation or dismissal, you will be on suspension and must file an appeal. Actions taken during non-enrollment (such as transferable coursework at another institution) are factored into the assessment.
Second Degree Students
Credits accepted toward the second degree count as both attempted and earned for measuring satisfactory progress. However, certain federal, institutional, and state aid may not be available.
Change of Major / Degree
If you change majors within the same degree program or begin pursuing a different degree without having earned the first, and you exceed the maximum time frame, you must file a successful appeal to extend it.
Appeal Process
If extenuating circumstances contributed to not meeting FASAP standards, a written appeal may be submitted. Examples of acceptable circumstances include divorce, unexpected death or major hospitalization of an immediate family member, or extended hospitalization or medical condition of the student.
The appeal must address and document:
- Why the student failed to achieve FASAP
- What has changed that will allow the student to achieve FASAP during the next academic term
Download the FASAP Appeal Form and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid along with required supporting documentation. You must also create an academic plan with an advisor in the Learning Center. Appeals that do not address these stipulations will be denied.
Appeal Outcomes
If approved: Aid is continued for one term based on your academic plan. Carefully review the appeal notification, which will outline your individualized FASAP requirements for the term. It is possible to lose institutional scholarships/grants depending on program requirements. Work closely with the Learning Center and your advisor to stay on track.
If denied: Aid is immediately suspended until eligibility is re-established. The decision is final for the specified enrollment term. You may still re-establish eligibility on your own by completing sufficient credits or improving your cumulative GPA. Students may appeal no more than two consecutive terms, and each appeal must address different circumstances.
Financial Aid Probation
This status is assigned to students who have successfully appealed their suspension. By the end of the probation term, the student must achieve the goals outlined in their academic plan. If goals are met, the student must continue meeting with a Learning Center advisor each semester until satisfactory progress is fully restored.
If a student fails to meet their plan requirements at the end of probation, they are placed back into suspension. A subsequent appeal is not permitted unless there is a new and different qualifying circumstance.
Plan for Academic Success
Students placed on probation or suspension are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Learning Center. Advisors will help create academic plans and connect students to campus resources including subject tutoring, writing and speaking tutors, study skills support, academic coaching, and Disability Support Services.
Questions about FASAP policy or process should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@batten.edu or 757.455.3345.
