In order to be eligible to receive federal and state student aid, regulations require you to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress. Both your grade point average, and the time it takes you to earn your degree, are factors which must be evaluated when measuring satisfactory academic progress.

Regulations define the time frame in which you must complete your course of study as 150% of the length of the program.  Therefore, in order to remain eligible to receive federal and state student aid at Western, you must:

• Complete your baccalaureate degree program within 186 attempted hours (associate degree program within 93 attempted hours);
• Successfully complete 70% of the total hours attempted to date; and
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Attempted hours take into account ALL hours you have attempted, including:

• Cumulative hours earned;
• Hours withdrawn from;
• Hours audited;
• Repeated courses;
• Failed courses not repeated;
• Pass/fail credit courses; and
• All hours attempted at other institutions.

Should you fall below the required 70% completion ratio or the 2.00 GPA requirement, you will:

• Become ineligible to receive Federal Title IV and State funding;
• Be notified in writing by the financial aid office of your status*; and
• Be informed of the appeal process in the case of extenuating circumstances.

*Remember, it is your responsibility to know your Academic Progress whether or not you receive written notification.

Note: There is no appeal process once you exceed the maximum time frame to complete your academic program.

Once you have attempted 150 hours, you must:

• Meet with your advisor to develop a plan that will ensure you will graduate within the required time frame (186 attempted hours);
• Enroll only in courses the advisor records as needed for your degree program; and
• Submit a copy of your plan and academic class schedule to the financial aid office.

Should your appeal be denied, or you reach the maximum time frame required to complete your degree program (186 hours for a baccalaureate program, 93 hours for an associate program), you will no longer be eligible to receive Federal and State funding consisting of:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal ACG Grant
• Federal SMART Grant
• Federal Work-Study
• Federal Stafford Loans
• Federal Perkins Loans
• Federal SEOG
• Federal PLUS Loans
• Missouri Gallagher Grant
• Missouri College Guarantee
• Missouri Bright Flight
• Missouri Ross Barnett Scholarship

• Utilize Student Services to determine your major;
• meet with your Advisor each semester;
• know the requirements to be accepted into your major;

Examples:

English Majors must take C-Base

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

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

• 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;
• plan ahead;
• 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;and
• Go To Class!!!!

Remember, it is your responsibility to know your academic progress whether or not you receive written notification.

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