Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Satisfactory Academic Progress rule consists of both a Qualitative Component and a Quantitative Component. The Qualitative Component consists of grades, or comparable factors that are measurable against a norm.  At Wofford, the acceptable qualitative component measure is a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.00. The Quantitative Component assesses a student’s advancement toward completion of his or her program of study.  At Wofford  the acceptable quantitative component is measured by earning at least 67% of the hours attempted each academic year. Student progress is assessed at the end of each academic year.  Students in jeopardy of losing aid are notified as soon as final grades are made available and the student record assessed for satisfactory academic progress.

In order to receive aid from federal, state and institutional programs administered by the Financial Aid Office, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress in his or her course of study. First-year students are presumed to be in good standing throughout their first year provided they carry at least a half-time course load. Satisfactory progress for these students is assessed at the end of their first year. Students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress will not receive financial aid from the following sources:

Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal Work-Study
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Federal Direct PLUS Loan
South Carolina Tuition Grant
South Carolina Merit Scholarship Funds (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and HOPE)
Wofford College scholarships, grants or employment

In cases where a student may be allowed to continue at Wofford, even though academic standards have not been met, financial aid may be offered on a probationary basis for one semester if mitigating circumstances so warrant. If standards of progress are not met at the end of that semester, financial aid eligibility is lost until the student regains good standing or submits a subsequent appeal for approval.

Full-time students are required to earn a minimum of 67% of hours attempted each academic year (September-August). Many federal, state and institutional grants and scholarships have higher standards. Renewal criteria for these funds have been listed in detail in the The Financial Aid Handbook for the specific academic year, and in fund specific messages on individual award letters. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office if they are uncertain of renewal criteria for specific awards.

Satisfactory Academic Progress also requires the student’s academic record remain above the level of academic exclusion. Academic exclusion is explained in the college Catalog under Academic Standing.  Exceptions to the exclusion policy may be granted by the Registrar through an appeal process.  However, the approval of an academic exclusion appeal will not reinstate financial aid eligibility.  The student must re-establish satisfactory academic progress for financial aid and scholarship purposes.

Upon re-entering the college, the excluded student may re-establish satisfactory progress by earning grades that are high enough to bring the cumulative GPA above the exclusion level OR by earning a 2.0 on at least 12 hours for the semester. The student will not be awarded federal, state or college funds administered by the Financial Aid Office until this has been satisfied. For this purpose, the student will be evaluated at the end of the regular semester or at the mid-term point of the semester in which he or she re-enters the college. If satisfactory progress has been re-established, payment of aid for which the student is eligible will be made, provided funds are available at that time. If satisfactory progress is re-established in a summer term, the student is not eligible for aid until the beginning of the next term or the next semester. Awards then will be made if funds are available.

For part-time students the requirement of hours earned for satisfactory progress will be prorated on the basis of the student’s enrollment status (half-time, three-quarter-time, etc.). A student should consult the Director of Financial Aid to determine the number of hours required in his or her individual case.

Further, awards to students of Wofford funds will be limited to eight semesters of enrollment.  The Wofford Employee Dependent benefit is limited  to eight semesters of enrollment and 24 hours to be used exclusively for summer school. There is an appeal process for those students requiring an additional semester of Wofford funding to complete degree requirements. Eligibility for less than full-time and for transfer students will be prorated. For loan programs, there are maximum amounts that can be borrowed while pursuing an undergraduate degree. Certain college funds (academic scholarships, tuition exchange benefits, pre-ministerial grants, and grants to sons and daughters of Methodist ministers) are limited to eight semesters. Eligibility for all Wofford College grants and scholarships administered by the Financial Aid Office shall  terminate upon completion of degree requirements.

If a student believes there are extenuating circumstances and wishes to appeal the termination of aid, s/he must file a request in writing to the Director of Financial Aid within 10 days of being notified by the Director that s/he is no longer eligible for financial aid. The appeal will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee, and the student will be notified of the Committee’s decision. The Committee is composed at least of the Director of Financial Aid, the Director of Admission, the Registrar, and other members of the administrative staff.