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FINANCIAL AID SATISFACTORY PROGRESS POLICY

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ELIGIBLE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Financial aid funds are available only to students who are admitted and enrolled in an eligible degree or credential granting program.

MINIMUM ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

Most financial aid programs require a minimum enrollment of 6 units for undergraduate or 4 weighted units⁶ (200 series) for graduate students.  Limited Federal Pell Grant funding is available for eligible undergraduate students enrolled in less than 6 units.

MINIMUM UNIT COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

To maintain Satisfactory Progress, students must have a good academic standing¹ and successfully complete a minimum percentage of the total units they have taken. (Refer to Table A)

 

FINANCIAL AID SAP STATUS

Probation:  Students who pass less than their Target Percentage, but more than their Minimum Percentage for their total units taken are considered to be in Financial Aid SAP Probation Status. Students in probation may continue to receive funds.

Disqualification:  Students who 1) do not pass the Minimum Percentage of their Total Units Taken or 2) exceed Maximum Unit Funding Limits or 3) become Academically Disqualified¹ will be placed in Financial Aid SAP Disqualification Status.  Students in disqualification are no longer eligible to receive financial aid.

Students that find themselves disqualified from Financial Aid may file a SAP petition with the Financial Aid Office.  See Appeal Process for more information

MAXIMUM UNIT FUNDING LIMITS

All prior academic activity at the college level is considered in determining total units taken.  Total Units Taken includes all units taken at California State University, Fresno and transfer units accepted, whether or not degree applicable.

Undergraduate:  Undergraduate students’ funding is limited to 138% of the units required for their degree program.  Funding will be suspended once a student exceeds 171 total units taken.
 
Post Baccalaureate:  Post baccalaureate students’ funding is limited to 138% of the units required for a degree or credential program.  Funding will be suspended once a student exceeds 41 total units taken. 

Adjustments:  Maximum Funding Limits may be increased for Undergraduate students who prove to be enrolled in a program that requires more than 124 units and Post Baccalaureate students who prove to be enrolled in a program that requires more than 30 units or have previous post baccalaureate work that does not apply to their current degree/credential objective. See Form 84 Extend Units Request.

APPEAL PROCESS

You may petition to have your financial aid eligibility reinstated if extenuating circumstances contributed to your disqualification status. 

Minimum Unit Completion Petition:  If you failed to meet your minimum unit completion requirement, see Form 82 Satisfactory Progress Petition for forms and instructions, or come to the Financial Aid Office. Completed petitions submitted with supporting documentation will be approved or denied based on review by a financial aid counselor or petition committee.

Maximum Unit Funding Limits Petitions:  If you have exceeded or will exceed your maximum units funding limit you may qualify for an Form 84 Extend Units Request, otherwise you may appeal to the Director of Financial Aid; see Form 86 Max Units Petition Instructions.  Petitions must be submitted in writing and must include all of the following:

• A personal statement explaining why you have exceeded your maximum units funding limit

• A detailed outline of all courses you must take to complete your degree or credential

• Your expected graduation or completion date

• A letter from your academic advisor verifying that your proposed course plan will complete your degree requirements.

Academic Disqualification:  To resolve an academic disqualification status assigned by the Records Office, you must contact Student Success Services, Joyal Administration Building, Room 224 (559 278-1787).

LEVELS OF APPEAL

Students not meeting the satisfactory progress standards outlined in this policy have the right to appeal.  Petitions are typically handled in the following order.  If not satisfied with the outcome of an appeal, the student may progress to the next level of appeal.

1)Financial Aid Counselor, who may refer the appeal to the next level
2)Financial Aid Committee
3)Financial Aid Director
4)External Financial Aid Appeals Committee*

*Note:  This is the final level of appeal.

DROPPING UNITS OR WITHDRAWING

Financial Aid applicants must notify the Financial Aid Office before:

• Reducing their academic load 5

• Withdrawing from California State University, Fresno

If you drop units or withdraw from the university you may have to repay some or all of the financial aid you received for the semester.  The University may withhold registration, official transcripts, and future financial aid until full repayment has been received.  The amount to be repaid will depend on the funds you received and the last date you attend classes, the date you drop units, or the date of your withdrawal. 

Also, all units you are enrolled in as of a term’s census date7 count as units taken.  If you drop units or withdraw after a term’s census date7 you may be placed in a financial aid probation or disqualification status.

DEFINITIONS

¹ Academic Standing:  Determined by the Records Office according to requirements for your major.

² Total Units Taken:  All units taken at California State University, Fresno plus all accepted transfer units whether or not degree applicable. 

³ Target Percentage:  The percentage of Total Units Taken students are expected to pass, based on total Units Taken.

⁴ Minimum Percentage:  The minimum percentage of Total Units Taken students must pass to remain eligible for financial aid.

⁵ Academic Load:   Fulltime   =   12+ units
                                ¾-Time   =   9 -11.99 units
                                ½-Time   =   6 - 8.99 units
                             < ½-Time   =   1 - 5.99 units

⁶ Weighted Units:  For graduate students, 200 series units count as 1.5 units each in determining units of enrollment and academic load.

Census Date:  The end of the 20th instructional day of the semester.  (Refer to your Schedule of Courses.)

Completion Percentage:  Completion Percentage = Total Units Passed divided by Total Units Taken  

Units Passed:  Units completed with grades of A, B, C, D, or CR.  (Extension units and units with a grade of F, I, IC, W, WU, NC, RD, RP or AU are excluded.)