Satisfactory Academic Progression Policy
To comply with current federal regulations, the Financial Aid Office at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will monitor the progress of students toward degree completion requirements. In order to receive and continue to receive financial aid, students must comply with the following three components of satisfactory progress:
Students who fail to complete their degree requirements within the prescribed length of time, fail to maintain the required cumulative grade point average, and/or do not pass the minimum number of credits will not be eligible for federal, state. or university grant funds.
The progress or lack of progress of students will be monitored at the end of each spring semester and summer term (if the student attends summer). Academic Dismissal and Maximum Time Frame Standards (180 undergraduate credit attempts) will be monitored at the end of each semester. All credits will count in the evaluation regardless of where or when they were earned, including credits earned during semesters or summers when no financial aid was reviewed.
Standard for Grade Point Average
All undergraduate students (including transfer students) are required to have a cumulative 2.0 grade point average by the end of their second academic year. Special students (students seeking a second degree) are required to maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average at all times, and graduate students are required to maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average and/or be in good standing in their program.
Standard for Minimum Credits Completed
All undergraduate and graduate students must successfully complete 67% of attempted credit hours per year. For example, if a student was enrolled for 12 credits fall semester, 15 credits spring semester, and 6 credits during the summer, the student would need to successfully complete 22 credits. Failing a class or receiving an incomplete in a class is not considered successfully completing the class.
The successful completion of a credit attempted is credit for which a grade of A, B, C, D, or S is received. A grade of F, W, U, I, NC, or N represents unsatisfactory completion of a course. A grade of D for a graduate student is not considered as successful completion of the credit(s) attempted.
Determination of a student's enrolled (attempted) credits will be made on the 10th day of each semester.
Standard for Maximum Time Frame
The total maximum time frame for undergraduate students receiving financial aid cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the program. For example, a program requiring 120 credits for graduation would allow 180 credit attempts (120 x 150% = 180). When enrolled in degree programs that have a published minimum credit requirement for graduation of greater than 120 credits, financial aid eligibility may be extended. The 150% rule does not apply to graduate students.
The maximum time frame for undergraduate students seeking a second degree (special students) is 90 credits.