Financial Aid

Academic Progress Policy

In order to qualify for Federal financial aid (Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Federal PLUS Loans) and/or any La Roche funded grant, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as established by the college in accordance with federal guidelines.  A student’s ENTIRE academic record will be considered in the determination of eligibility for financial assistance, whether or not any previous aid was received.

Students who do not meet the definition of satisfactory academic progress according to the following guidelines are placed on academic probation and will receive financial aid for one additional semester. At the end of that semester, academic transcripts for students on probation will be reviewed. If the student meets the definition of satisfactory academic progress at the end of the probation semester, the probation status will be removed and the student may continue to receive financial aid. If the student does not meet the definition of satisfactory academic progress at the end of the probation semester, all federal financial aid and La Roche grant aid will be suspended until the student once again meets the criteria. Students who feel they have extenuating circumstances may appeal the suspension of financial aid in writing to the Director of Financial Aid.

Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Definition

Satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients is defined as follows:

• Successful completion of 75% of all credits attempted; 
• A degree must be earned within 180 attempted required credits;
• An overall minimum Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) is maintained as follows:

• Courses may be repeated only once to be counted toward making satisfactory academic progress.  Students will not receive financial aid for courses attempted more than twice.
• “W,” “I,” and “F” grades will be calculated into the G.P.A. as credits attempted with zero quality points earned.
• Developmental courses will be counted as credits attempted and calculated into the G.P.A.
• Satisfactory academic progress is checked at the end of the spring term; therefore, students who begin courses in the summer, fall, or spring term will first be reviewed for academic progress at the end of the spring term.

Graduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Definition

Satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients is defined as follows:

• Successful completion of 75% of all credits attempted; 
• A degree must be earned within 6 years;
• An overall Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of 3.0 must be maintained.
• W,” “I,” and “F” grades will be calculated into the G.P.A. as credits attempted with zero quality points earned. 
• Courses may be repeated only once to be counted toward making satisfactory academic progress.  Students will not receive financial aid for courses attempted more than twice.
• Satisfactory academic progress is checked at the end of the spring term; therefore, students who begin courses in the summer, fall or spring term will first be reviewed for academic progress at the end of the spring term.

Academic Progress for PHEAA State Grants:  Academic progress guidelines for PHEAA state grants are different than the academic progress guidelines for federal and institutional grants and scholarships described above.  Academic progress requirements for PHEAA state grants are disclosed in each student’s PHEAA Grant eligibility notice.

Federal Stafford Loan Grade Levels:  Students applying for Federal Stafford Student Loans or Federal PLUS Loans are subject to the same academic progress guidelines described above.  In addition, for the purpose of processing student loans, grade levels are defined as follows: