SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Federal regulations require that schools participating in federal financial aid programs determine whether students are progressing through their programs of study in a satisfactory "qualitative" academic manner (Academic Standard), and at a satisfactory "quantitative" rate (Rate of Progress Standard). This requires the Financial Aid Office to make a determination that all applicants are eligible for financial assistance based on their prior academic records (whether or not they ever received financial aid). Students who have attended a post-secondary institution but who have not received financial assistance must have successfully completed at least 80 percent of the credits attempted with a cumulative GPA in compliance with the "Guide for Measuring Satisfactory Progress for Full Time Students."
If a student does not maintain Satisfactory Progress according to the guidelines defined below, the student will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester. Students on financial aid probation have access to any aid for which they are eligible during that semester. If the Satisfactory Progress guidelines defined below are not met during the probation period, a student's financial aid will be canceled.
Academic Standard (Qualitative Determination)
A full time student must successfully complete enough credits which apply to the degree or certificate being sought and have a cumulative grade point average shown on the following Guide:
Progress for Full Time Students
At the completion of:
OR
credits earnedGPA
1st academic year (2 semesters)
1.75
2nd academic year (4 semesters)
2.00
This schedule will be proportionally adjusted for students enrolling for less than full time or who do not enroll for the entire academic year.
Rate of Progress Standard (Quantitative Determination)
A full time student must be able to complete an associate degree program in no more than six semesters. Adjustments in the number of semesters in attendance are made for part time students.
Changes in program will be considered when determining eligibility. Students must be aware that changes in options within programs may adversely affect eligibility for federal aid. All credits transferred to Dawson Community College and all credits attempted at Dawson Community College will be applied toward the maximum number of semesters specified above.
| Credits Attempted | Credits Earned | Financial Aid Status |
| 12+ | 6+ | Probation |
| 0-5 | Cancelation | |
| 9-11 | 5+ | Probation |
| 0-4 | Cancelation | |
| 6-8 | 4+ | Probation |
| 0-3 | Cancelation |
Credit hours earned per semester will mean those credits for classes in which a student received a passing grade of A, B, C, D, or S. Grades not counting toward earned credit hours include F, I, U, or W.
Criteria for Re-establishing Eligibility for Financial Aid
Students who have been determined ineligible for Federal Financial Aid due to Satisfactory Progress may re-establish satisfactory progress and regain eligibility by satisfying one of the following conditions:
- Pay one semester with own resources and make satisfactory progress per this poicy.
- Complete course work to remove an "Incomplete" from the transcript if all other Satisfactory Progress requirements are met.
- Petition the Financial Aid Appeals Committee in writing for reinstatement of financial assistance.
Students who re-establish eligibility for financial aid will receive that aid on a probationary status. The Satisfactory Progress requirements must be met in order to remain eligible.