Satisfactory Academic Progress

Southern Wesleyan University participates in all federally-assisted programs for which its students establish eligibility by completing the Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Details are available from the Office of Financial Aid. Please note programs are subject to change. These programs are only for citizens or permanent residents of the United States enrolled in both the traditional and adult and graduate studies programs. Students enrolled in the Adult and Graduate Studies program will be considered to be enrolled full time while taking coursework. An academic year is defined as completing 24 credit hours and 45 weeks of instruction.

This enrollment status is for use in all Title IV and South Carolina Aid programs.

To be eligible for federal and state financial aid, a student must meet the following minimum guidelines:

• Be eligible to enroll under the university’s academic policies.
• An undergraduate, traditional student must attain a cumulative grade point of 1.6 by the end of the freshman year and a 1.8 by the end of the sophomore year and maintain a 2.0 average thereafter (see chart below).
• Graduate students must remain in good standing according to policies set forth by Academic Records.
• A graduate student must earn a minimum of a 2.0 GPA at all times when enrolled in a graduate program of study.
• An undergraduate and graduate student must complete 67% of the total credit hours attempted. For each term/cohort, the number of hours attempted is based on the total cumulative credit hours for which the student was enrolled at the end of the drop period. The number of hours earned is the cumulative total of these hours for which the student received a passing grade, as noted on the academic transcript.
• Complete the program of study in a time-frame not to exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program (measured in credit hours). For example, if the academic program length requires 120 hours, the maximum time-frame cannot exceed 180 credit hours attempted.
• Any course that is dropped, failed, incomplete, or changed to audit will be considered a failing grade.
• SAP evaluations are reviewed after each term (fall, winter, and summer, or period of enrollment for adult evening students).  If after the first term the student is not meeting SAP standards the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning.
• If after the next term the student is still not meeting SAP standards, the student is ineligible for further federal and state aid but may appeal.
• If granted the student will be placed on an Academic Plan. The Academic Plan will be developed on a case-by-case basis and will include a GPA requirement to maintain for the upcoming term and a requirement to pass 100% of the courses attempted for the term, and it must be followed and satisfied each term. Otherwise, the student is ineligible for further federal and state aid until SAP standards are met.
• Appeals are final.