The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress in 1980, mandates that institutions of higher education establish standards of Satisfactory Progress for all students receiving financial aid. These standards also apply to state student assistance programs, such as the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant, and the Minnesota SELF Loan program. Audit course work is not considered when calculating financial aid or satisfactory progress. The maximum time frame for which a student may receive financial aid is based on credits attempted, including all transfer credits accepted and the student's program. Credits earned by exam or additional awarded credits will be counted as credits attempted and will be included when determining satisfactorily completed credits.
Progress is measured each semester and summer session.
Students will be able to continue to receive financial aid for the subsequent semester. Students who fail to meet the satisfactory progress standards at the conclusion of this term will be declared ineligible for financial aid. Financial aid may be reinstated after a student has earned sufficient credits to meet the satisfactory progress standard. If due to extraordinary circumstances, such as serious illness, death of a family member, a student was unable to meet the satisfactory progress standards, the student may submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Office. For students declared ineligible due to having been enrolled beyond the maximum time frame, financial aid may be reinstated only upon successful appeal.