Satisfactory Academic Progress (pdf version)

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as proceeding toward successful completion of degree requirements. The OSU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is required by federal regulation to determine whether a student is meeting the requirement. The official record of the OSU Registrar is reviewed to determine student compliance with this policy.

This policy pertains only to applicants for federal and state (OTAG) assistance. A recipient of an OSU scholarship, university fee-waiver, or athletic grant-in-aid must meet the eligibility requirements of the respective program. If you have questions about the monitoring of satisfactory progress not addressed here, please make an appointment with a financial aid counselor. At all times you are encouraged to ask questions of our counseling staff if clarification is needed.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements:

Not exceed a maximum number of hours to complete the degree program (Table 1).
Maintain a cumulative Graduation/Retention Grade Point Average (Table 2).
Successfully complete at least 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted. This includes all courses attempted at any college or university. For example, a student who has attempted a cumulative total of 55 hours must have successfully completed at least 41 credit hours to meet the requirement (55 X .75 = 41.25; round decimals down to whole numbers).

Table 1

Total Hours Attempted for Degree Completion
Classification	Maximum Hours
Undergraduate	180
Masters	56
Doctoral	128
Vet Med (DVM)	255

Table 2

Cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA
	Total Hours Attempted	GPA Requirement
Undergraduate	0 through 30	1.70
	31 or more	2.00
Masters/Doctoral		3.00
Vet Med (DVM)		2.00

Courses/Grades Used in Determining Satisfactory Academic Progress

All coursework attempted, including any dropped, repeated, reprieved or remedial courses or withdrawals recorded on the OSU Grade Report at the time of the progress check are considered when determining if the student has exceeded the maximum number of hours for degree completion and has completed 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted.

A grade of "A," "B," "C," "D," "S," "P," "R," or "X" is considered successful completion of a course; a grade of "I," "W," "F," "U," "NP," or "N" is not considered as successful completion.

Audit courses (grades of "AU") are not counted in the total hours attempted for any semester or as successful completion of a course. Correspondence and extension courses may count toward successful completion of hours attempted if they are completed by the last day of the semester. For information about eligibility and payment of aid for these types of courses please contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

Transfer work must be reflected on the OSU Grade Report to be considered for purposes of financial aid eligibility.

Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress:

A student who exceeds the maximum number of hours allowed for degree completion will be suspended from future financial aid until the reason for the excessive hours can be adequately documented.

A student who either fails to achieve the required cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA, or to complete at least 75% of the total hours attempted, will be placed on financial aid probation for the following semester of enrollment at OSU. A student may receive financial aid while on probation, but must meet specific minimum requirements each semester to continue to be eligible.

Continued Eligibility while on Probation:

To continue to receive aid after being placed on probation, a student must:

Not exceed the maximum number of hours for degree completion (Table 1); AND,
Achieve the required cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA (Table 2) or the required Semester GPA (Undergraduate & Vet Med = 2.00; Masters/Doctoral = 3.00). AND,
Successfully complete 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted or 75% of the hours attempted that semester.

A student on probation who meets these criteria each semester will continue to receive aid on a probationary basis until the student meets the standards in the "Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements" section to clear the probation.

A student on probation who fails to meet the minimum semester standards will be suspended at the end of the probationary term.

Financial Aid Suspension:

A student denied assistance based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy can submit a written appeal to the Faculty Financial Aid Appeal Committee. An Appeal Form is included in the suspension notification letter. The appeal and supporting documentation must be received in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid by the deadline in the suspension notification letter. An appeal, if submitted, should speak in detail to mitigating or extenuating circumstances that have affected the student's academic performance, i.e., severe physical injury or mental trauma.

A student suspended for exceeding the maximum hours allowed for degree completion, and who has not yet completed the degree, should have the academic advisor complete the "Remaining Hours Required for Degree Completion Form" if extenuating circumstances require the student to exceed the maximum hours limit; the student should also submit an Appeal Form. The form is included in the suspension notification letter and is also available in 119 Student Union.

Action taken on a financial aid appeal is final and is transmitted to the student in writing by the Faculty Financial Aid Appeal Committee. Depending upon the timeliness of the appeal, it is possible for a student to have an appeal denied and also not be entitled to a refund of charges if the student chooses to withdraw from classes. A student who enrolls and attends class whose appeal is subsequently denied will be eligible for a refund of charges based solely on the schedule in the "Withdrawal Fee Policy" in the OSU Catalog.

A student suspended for reasons other than exceeding the maximum number of hours for degree completion who does not appeal, or whose appeal is denied, may be reinstated on a probationary basis by meeting both of the following criteria:

Achieve the required cumulative Graduation/Retention GPA (Table 2) or the required Semester GPA (Undergraduate & Vet Med = 2.00; Masters/Doctoral = 3.00); AND
Successfully complete 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted or 75% of the hours attempted that semester.

These requirements may be met while either attending OSU for the semester without financial aid or by transferring work meeting the requirements to OSU from an accredited institution. Transfer work must be reflected on the OSU Grade Report to be considered for purposes of financial aid eligibility.

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This provision includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services.