• Students must be enrolled as degree-seeking students working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program to receive aid. Only classes that count toward a degree or certificate can be used in calculating financial aid eligibility.  Audited classes and most continuing education classes do not count toward a degree or certificate, and may not be used in calculating student eligibility for financial aid.
• Financial assistance may be prorated or cancelled for students who enroll in less than 12 credit hours.
• Students must enroll in a minimum of six credit hours to receive student loan funds (CED and audited courses do not count in hours of enrollment.)
• Federal regulations require proration of student loans for students who are graduating and who will not be enrolling for a full academic year.
• Financial assistance will be cancelled or reduced if you stop attending your classes, or fail to maintain the required number of credit hours and GPA.
• Federal regulations require Western to return federal financial assistance, including student loans, when a student stops attending their classes before the semester is completed.  Students are required to repay Western for any funds that are returned.
• Financial assistance will be recalculated for students, who withdraw, are administratively withdrawn or who stop attending and receive a grade of FA (failure for non-attendance) in all courses during a term.  Students who receive a grade of FA in all of their courses during a term may lose eligibility for future financial assistance.
• Students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial assistance.

In order to remain eligible to receive federal student aid, a student must be making satisfactory academic progress.  Both grade-point average and the time frame that a student takes to complete an educational degree program are factors which must be evaluated when measuring satisfactory academic progress.

Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (3.0 if pursuing a Master’s degree) and successfully complete 70% of the courses they have attempted* to remain eligible for federal financial assistance.

*Attempted hours include hours earned, hours transferred in from other schools, hours withdrawn, hours audited, repeated courses, failed courses and pass/fail credit courses.  Successful completion is defined as the absence of failing grades and voluntary or involuntary withdrawals.

Satisfactory academic progress is monitored on a semester basis.  Students who fall below the required 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or the 70% completion rate lose eligibility for federal financial assistance the following term.  Students may be granted a one semester probationary period upon completion of the Satisfactory Academic Progress seminar and signed execution of the SAP probationary contract.  During this probationary period, students must successfully complete all courses with a grade of C or higher and can not withdraw from or audit any courses. 

Students who fail to make progress during the probationary period will be ineligible to receive federal financial assistance until the student obtains a cumulative 2.0 GPA and 70% course completion rate.  Students who successfully complete the probationary contract term will remain eligible for financial assistance as long as they do not withdraw from classes and continue to pass all coursework with a grade of C or higher or obtain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and 70% completion ratio.

Although students will be notified in writing should they fall below satisfactory academic progress standards, it is the student’s responsibility to know their academic standing in regards to this policy.  Failure to receive notification does not dispute or reverse the termination of a student’s eligibility to receive financial assistance.

Should a student’s instructor report that a student has never attended or has stopped attending a course while the student is on probation, the student is no longer eligible to receive federal financial assistance. 

Students who withdraw from the University officially or unofficially (stop attending) will be denied financial assistance for the upcoming semester.  A student may be considered to have stopped attending if 50% or more of their course grades for the term consists of grades of W, FA, F, or I.

The federal government requires an institution to establish a timeframe in which a student must complete their degree program.  Once an institution is aware that a student can not complete their degree program within the established timeframe, the student is no longer eligible to receive federal financial assistance. 

• Undergraduate students seeking an associate’s degree must complete their program within 93 attempted hours.
• Students seeking a baccalaureate degree must complete their degree program within 186 attempted hours. 
• Students pursuing a master’s degree must complete their program within 52 attempted hours. 

Although students approaching the maximum time frame will be notified of their status, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they complete their program within the maximum number of hours allowed.

Students pursuing additional degrees, after completion of the first undergraduate program, must complete all required course work within 200% of the published length of the program.

• Students pursuing a baccalaureate level program or teacher certification must complete all undergraduate work within 248 attempted hours. 
• Students pursuing an additional associate degree program must complete all undergraduate coursework within 128 attempted hours.
• Students pursuing an additional graduate level program must complete all graduate level coursework within 68 attempted hours.

Once it is determined that a student cannot complete their current program of study within this timeframe, they no longer qualify for Federal student aid.

Title IV funds consists of Federal Pell Grant, Federal College Work-Study, Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Parent Loans, Federal SEOG, Federal ACG, Federal SMART, Federal TEACH Grant, Federal Direct Loans and most State Aid Programs.

Students may submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office if there are documentable extenuating circumstances that caused the student to fall below the required satisfactory academic progress standards or exceed the maximum timeframe allowed for degree completion.  Appeals must be typed and submitted with documentation that can substantiate the validity of the appeal and that the circumstances of the appeal clearly caused the student to drop below the required standards or exceed the maximum timeframe towards degree completion.  Appeal deadlines for each term are posted on the financial aid web-page.  The decision of the University Satisfactory Academic Progress Panel is final.

Federal regulations require institutions to return federal funds if a student withdraws or stops attending their courses. The amount of funds that must be returned are based on a pro-rata formula.

For example, if a student only attends 20% of the semester, they have only earned 20% of the aid awarded to them.  The government expects the student and the institution to return the other 80% of the funds back to the government.  If Western returns funds on a student’s behalf, the student is responsible for repaying Western.

If it is determined that a student never attended their courses, Western is required to return 100% of the funds awarded to the federal government and the student is responsible for repaying Western.

Completing your education requires hard work. You will be required to make many sacrifices along the way.  Attending class and completing your assignments are critical to your success. Western has many resources available to assist you – but you must do your part.  You would not purchase food or clothing, pay for it, and then drive off with out taking the items you purchased. Your education will likely cost you in excess of $20,000 before you are finished – don’t drive off and leave your education behind.  Go to class, do the work, seek out help when needed and get involved in campus activities.

Despite all of the hard work, time and costs, nothing equals the life-long value or the feeling of accomplishment for having completed your college degree.

• Utilize Student Services to determine your major early in your college career.
• Meet with your Advisor each semester.
• Know the requirements to be accepted into your major.

Examples:

Education Majors must pass the C-Base.

Nursing Majors must have ACT score of 20 and GPA of 2.5.

Business Majors may have no more than 6 hours of D per Major.

• Officially declare your major.
• Obtain a copy of your Major/ Minor form.
• Only take classes required for your major.
• Utilize the Center for Academic Support and tutoring.
• Utilize study groups.
• Consider part-time enrollment if you are working full-time or have small children.
• Make sure you have adequate daycare, living arrangements, and transportation.
• Avoid job complications that conflict with class schedule.
• Contact the Counseling Center if you are having personal problems.
• Know the deadlines.
• Submit your FAFSA and apply for scholarships early each academic year.
• Become familiar with Western policies.
• Talk to your Instructor if you are having difficulty in a class.
• Never be afraid to ask for HELP.
• Go To Class!!!!

Campus Resources:

Center for Academic Support is located in the Hearnes Center, Rm 213, 816-271-4524

Counseling Center is located in Eder Hall, Rm 203, 816-271-4327

Student Services is located in Eder Hall, Rm 209, 816-271-5990