Bethel University

Federal regulations require that all financial aid recipients progress at a reasonable rate (“make satisfactory progress”) toward achieving a certificate or degree. This requirement applies to all terms regardless of whether or not the student received financial aid. Progress is reviewed annually, after the spring semester. Progress is measured by the student’s cumulative grade point average, credits earned in relation to those attempted, and the maximum time frame allowed to complete the academic program.

• Cumulative Grade Point Average: Students must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. This requirement is enforced at the end of spring term.
• Cumulative credits earned: Each student must complete the minimum percentage of cumulative attempted credits as defined below:

  Cumulative Attempted Credit	Required Completion Percentage for Each Type of Degree or Certificate
  	Certificate or   Licensure	Associate’s    Degree	Baccalaureate  Degree
  Fewer than 30	67%	60%	60%
  30-59	67%	67%	65%
  60-89	67%	67%	67%
  90+	67%	67%	67%

• Maximum time frame: Students must complete their degree in a maximum of 183 attempted hours (bachelor’s degree), 92 attempted hours (associate’s degree), or 45 attempted hours (certificate). Students are no longer eligible to receive financial aid after they have reached these maximums. For example: If a baccalaureate degree-seeking student has already attempted 175 credits, the student will only be aided for up to 8 credits in the next term.

Earned credits, for purposes of this policy, are those in which the student earns a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, or S. (Maximum allowable credits graded under the S option are defined by the registrar.)

Notes

• Incomplete classes: Courses assigned an incomplete grade are included in the cumulative credits attempted. These cannot be used as credits earned until a satisfactory grade is assigned.
• Withdrawals: Courses from which the student withdraws after the 100 percent refund period are included in the cumulative credits attempted.
• Repeated classes: Repeated courses enable the student to achieve a higher cumulative grade point average. Credits attempted in repeated classes are included in the cumulative credits attempted. Credits earned in repeated classes are not included in the cumulative credits earned.
• Transfer students: College level courses taken outside of Bethel before students received their high school diploma or G.E.D. (e.g., CLEP, PSEO, AP) are treated as transfer credits. (Postsecondary Education Options credits attempted at Bethel are treated the same as other courses taken at Bethel after receiving a high school diploma.) All transfer credits accepted by Bethel will be used in determining when the “maximum time frame” requirement has been reached. The student may, however, appeal to have only the credits accepted toward his or her Bethel degree included in the maximum time frame calculation. Transfer credits are also used when calculating the required completion percentage.
• Dual-degree students: Students who choose to earn more than one degree at the same time are subject to the maximum time limits of one degree (e.g., 183 credits for a baccalaureate degree).
• Double-majors: Students who choose to earn more than one major, or a major and multiple minors, for their degree are subject to the maximum time limits of their degree (e.g., 183 credits for a baccalaureate degree).
• Second undergraduate degree students: Students who already have a first baccalaureate degree are eligible for loans (not grants) if they are pursuing teacher licensure or a second degree (e.g., a student has a B.A. and is now seeking a B.S.). These students have up to an additional 183 attempted hours before exceeding the maximum time frame.

Financial Aid Probation and Termination
Students who do not meet the above standards of satisfactory progress at the end of the academic year (spring term) will automatically be placed on financial aid probation for the following academic year. Financial aid may still be received during the probation period. At the end of the probation period, the student must again be making satisfactory academic progress as outlined above or financial aid will be terminated. Students will be removed from financial aid probation if they are again making satisfactory academic progress.

Appeals
Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress standards and lose financial aid eligibility can appeal this decision. The appeal must be made in writing and should be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. Appeals should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and will be evaluated by a cross-departmental committee. Acceptable reasons for appeal include injury or illness of the student, illness or death of an immediate relative of the student, or other extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Reinstating Financial Aid Eligibility
Students who have had their financial aid terminated due to lack of satisfactory academic progress may choose to enroll without benefit of financial aid. Such students may request a review of their academic record after any term in which they are enrolled without the receipt of financial aid to determine whether they have met the satisfactory academic progress standards. If the standards are met, financial aid eligibility is restored for subsequent terms of enrollment. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor in the Office of Financial Aid if they have any questions about this policy, the appeal process, or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.