SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS

The Financial Aid Office is required under Federal and State regulations to review the academic performance of every student at the end of each academic year. Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress affects a student's eligibility to receive Federal and State financial aid. Mercer's institutional financial aid awards are not affected by Satisfactory Progress regulations.

Satisfactory Academic Progress at Mercer University is defined as follows:

1. Each student must average a passing grade in at least 67% of all courses attempted at Mercer. A course is considered "attempted" if the student is enrolled in the course at the end of the drop-add period. "W" (Withdrawn) and "I" (Incomplete) grades will be counted as hours attempted but not passed. Repeated courses will count as hours attempted.
2. Each student must have the minimum cumulative grade point average required for continued enrollment as approved by the school/college in which the student is enrolled.
3. Students cannot receive Federal or State aid once they have attempted 150% of the program length. Once the student has attempted 150% of the program length, they are no longer eligible to receive and Federal or State financial aid. Hours accepted for transfer credit will be used to reduce this time frame.

A student who fails to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards #1 and #2 above, is given one probationary term of Federal and State financial aid eligibility at mercer. To successfully complete the probationary term, the student must attempt a full load of course work (at least 12 hours) AND receive a grade of "C" or better in at least 12 hours of courses. Successful completion of the probationary term will result in one additional probationary term of Federal and State financial aid eligibility. A student must successfully complete each probationary term, as defined above, until cumulative performance at mercer meets Satisfactory Academic Progress standards #1 and #2 above. Failure to successfully complete any probationary term will result in the loss of Federal and State financial aid eligibility until a student's cumulative performance at mercer meets the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards explained above. Students may appeal decisions made regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress by writing their Financial Aid Counselor. Students whose appeals are denied by the Counselor may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The Director's decision is final.

Students who fall into Category #3 above may no longer receive Federal or State financial aid funds and are not eligible for probationary status.