In order to receive federal financial aid, students must be making satisfactory academic progress. We are required to apply standards that are both qualitative and quantitative. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed annually at the end of the spring semester for each academic year.
Eligibility for federal programs will be evaluated as part of the initial application process and again at the end of the spring semester of each academic year. In the evaluation process, all grades of “W” (Withdrawn) and “I” (Incomplete) will count as hours attempted but not passed. Repeated courses will count as hours attempted. Entering students are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.
Students cannot receive aid after attempting 150% of the hours required for completion of their academic program. Hours accepted for transfer credit will reduce this time frame.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Qualitative - Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes. Students must also achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average on all coursework attempted at Belmont University.
Quantitative - Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Qualitative - Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes. In addition, students must achieve and maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on all coursework attempted at Belmont University. Pharmacy students must maintain a 2.3 cumulative grade point average on all coursework attempted at Belmont.
Quantitative - Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.
PHARMACY & LAW STUDENTS
Pharmacy: Qualitative - Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes. Students must also achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.3 grade point average on all coursework attempted at Belmont University.
Quantitative - Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.
Law: Qualitative - Students must be accepted for admission and be eligible to enroll for classes. Students must also achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.5 grade point average on all coursework attempted at Belmont University.
Quantitative - Students must average passing 66.67% of all hours attempted.
APPEALS
Students failing to meet these standards for satisfactory academic progress may feel that there are mitigating circumstances which contributed to their failure. In such cases, students may choose to appeal for reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility based on these unique circumstances. Students must explain the reasons for not meeting the satisfactory academic progress standards as well as include a plan of action to be reviewed by the committee. An allowable basis for an appeal includes the following:
- Personal illness or injury
- Personal crisis
- Illness or death of a family member
- Original grade was lower that current changed grade
- Second degree, double major, change of major (maximum timeframe only)
- Other unexpected circumstances beyond the control of the student
STEPS TO FILE AN APPEAL
- Complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal and Academic Action Plan form
- Attach a one-page Explanation Statement and relevant supporting documentation
- Attach a copy of your complete DegreeWorks Audit. Update, review, and print your DegreeWorks Audit and/or DegreeWorks Planner as required
- If this is not your first SAP appeal you must also attach the DegreeWorks Planner signed by your advisor.
- Submit all documents to the Office of Student Financial Services.
Appeals must be in submitted in writing and should be addressed to:
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee
Office of Student Financial Services
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Boulevard Nashville, TN 37212
Fax (615) 460-6141
Decisions of the committee are final and will be communicated in writing 2 to 3 weeks from the time the appeal was submitted.