254 Financial information
2011-2012 Academic catalog
Application for the scholarship requires the applicant to complete the annual Asbury Theological Seminary financial aid application, FAFSA, and the presidential scholarship application. References submitted for the student’s admittance application are also reviewed in the selection process. Advanced Research scholarships for Ph.D. and Th.M. students Special endowments and other funds make it possible for some Ph.D. and Th.M. students to receive financial assistance, depending on the number of applicants, academic qualifications and available resources. All applicants must complete the Advanced Research Support Scholarship Application, the Asbury Seminary Financial Aid Application, and be admitted for these degree programs by Feb. 1.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) – Qualitative All students receiving federal student aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by Asbury Theological Seminary and the Financial Aid Office. Satisfactory academic progress is measured qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative satisfactory academic progress compares a student’s cumulative GPA with the required GPA of the student’s program. To maintain satisfactory academic progress, a cumulative GPA equal to or greater than the required GPA of the student’s degree program must be maintained. GPAs are checked annually at the end of the Spring semester after grades are submitted. Students will be notified annually of their SAP status after the end of the Spring semester. The required GPAs (based on a 4.0 scale) for degree programs are as follows: • • • •
M.A./M.Div. – 2.0 Th.M./D.Min. 3.0 D.Miss. – 3.3 Ph.D. – 3.5
Failure to make Qualitative SAP If a student fails to meet the Qualitative SAP, the student will be given a financial aid warning. The student will be allowed to continue receiving title IV funds (loans and work study) for one payment period (semester). If the student fails SAP a second semester in a row, forfeiture of all future federal aid will occur. In order to reinstate federal financial aid, students may do one of the following: 1. Take additional classes at the student’s expense in order to increase their GPA to the required standard in to be eligible for title IV funds again OR 2. Submit a SAP Appeal for approval; Students whose appeals are approved will be put on Financial Aid Probation and will be allowed to receive title IV funds as long as they are meeting the conditions of their appeal as set forth by the SAP Appeal Committee. Students will be removed from Financial Aid Probation once they meet SAP requirements once again. SAP Appeals Students may submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal if their schooling was adversely affected by one of the following situations: 1. Death of a family member 2. Injury or Illness of the student, including both physical and mental illness 3. Other extenuating and unforeseeable circumstances Within the SAP appeal, students must submit supporting documentation of the situation which caused the student not to meet SAP, what has changed that would allow the student to meet SAP in the upcoming Financial Aid Year, and a plan which details how the student will regain their SAP. Students whose appeal has been approved will have their SAP reviewed on a semesterly basis until they have achieved the academic plan set out for them. If at any point in time the student fails to meet their academic plan, they will forfeit all upcoming federal financial aid. SAP appeal forms are available from the Financial Aid Office or on AIS within the Financial Aid section. SAP appeals will be reviewed by the SAP Committee. Decisions on the appeal will be communicated to the student via their Asbury Seminary email account.