Appeal Process Students not meeting the minimum SAP standards as outlined above are ineligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid (grants, loans, work study and/or scholarships). However, students may request reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility for the academic year by submitting an appeal form to the Office of Financial Aid. Appeal requests must provide an explanation of the circumstances that contributed to the student’s failure to meet the minimum academic progress standards and a realistic academic plan for improvement. It is recommended that students meet with an academic counselor/advisor to develop an academic plan of action and/or review their academic history prior to submitting an appeal. You are only allowed one term of appeal. After 90 hours there are no more appeals available to the student and to regain eligibility at this point you will need to talk with the Office of Financial Aid to determine where the deficiency is and what needs to happen to make up this deficiency.
Required Completion Rate The maximum time frame for completing an academic program cannot exceed 150% of the length of the program as measured by credit hours or semesters. In order to ensure that steady progress is being made, students must make incremental progress toward the degree with passing grades. Progress is measured for all students by academic class year as defined by the college. The minimum number of credits does include transferred and advanced placement credit hours. Academic Class Year End of Freshman Year (1-2) (2-1) End of Sophomore Year (2-2) (3-1) End of Junior Year (3-2) (4-1) End of Senior Year (4-2) (5-1) End of Fifth Year (10 semesters) End of Sixth Year (12 semesters)
Minimum # of Credits Required 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 110 132
Maximum Time Frame The Higher Education Act requires that institutions establish a maximum time frame in which students receiving Title IV funds and Institutional Aid are expected to complete the program of study and beyond which they no longer qualify for assistance. At Trine University, eligibility to receive Title IV assistance and Institutional aid ends when you have reached for 150 percent of the number of hours required for graduation in your program of study, including any transferred hours accepted for credit toward the degree. For an undergraduate student, this equates to approximately six academic years of course work, depending on the specific major. All semesters and credit hours attempted are used toward the maximum time frame allowance regardless of whether the student received financial aid during the time frame. All repeated courses, failed courses, withdrawals and transferred hours will count as credit hours attempted toward the maximum time frame. Example: Sally’s major requires 120 hours for graduation, Sally could attempt up to 180 (120x 150%). Once 180 hours are exceeded, aid would be suspended.
Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility A student ineligible for financial aid due to SAP policy (except the 150% rule) will need to do the following to regain eligibility: Complete at least one semester without financial aid; achieve at least the minimum cumulative grade point average (2.0 or 3.0); and, successfully complete 67% of attempted credit hours for the semester.