Financial Aid - Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require the Iliff School of Theology establish new Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress. The Office of Financial Aid at Iliff is required to monitor the academic progress of all students receiving financial aid. This policy pertains only to financial aid and is separate from other academic policies of the institution. Satisfactory Academic Progress is monitored at the end of each academic year. All recipients of financial aid must maintain the minimum standards to continue receiving financial aid.

Satisfactory Academic Progress – Minimum Standards (effective July 1, 2019)

1. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 on a 4.00 scale.

2. Complete your degree requirements within 150% of the minimum credits required to graduate. This is known as Maximum Time Frame. For example, a student may attempt a maximum of 180 credits to complete a degree that requires 120 credits. If a class is taken more than once, both courses will be counted toward the Maximum Time Frame. The courses used to calculate the Maximum Time Frame will be courses you were enrolled in after the add/drop period. Once a student has reached the Maximum Time Frame limit, he or she is no longer eligible for federal or institutional aid.

3. Complete and pass a minimum of 67% of all courses attempted. This is known as the Cumulative Completion Rate and is required to finish your degree within the Maximum Time Frame. Grades of W, F, or Audit do not constitute successful completion of a course. All accepted transfer credits are counted toward the 67% rate.

If you fail to meet the requirements in the Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress, you will be placed on financial aid warning for the next one quarter of attendance. You will be able to receive federal funds for the subsequent quarter. You must meet all standards listed by the end of the warning period or you will no longer be eligible for federal or institutional financial aid until you meet the satisfactory academic progress minimum standards. You will not be eligible for financial aid if you reach the Maximum Time Frame limit, unless an appeal is submitted and approved (see appeal process below).

APPEAL PROCESS

If you are failing to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards and have extenuating circumstances, you may appeal your status to the Office of Financial Aid. To appeal a financial aid suspension, you will be required to submit the following documentation: a written statement that includes your program of study, anticipated completion date, a list of required courses left to complete the degree, and the reason for the appeal. Additional documentation from an outside source (doctor, etc.) may be required. Appeals with documentation must be submitted within 45 days of receipt of academic progress (probation or suspension) letter. 

To show you are making satisfactory academic progress after an appeal is granted you must receive a term GPA of at least 2.5 and complete 100% of courses taken that quarter. Failure to do so will result on you being placed back into a suspension status and will be required to submit another appeal. This standard must be maintained until you are meeting the cumulative quantitative and qualitative satisfactory academic progress requirements (2.25 GPA or above and at least 67% of course completion).

Each appeal is reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Notice of appeals decisions will be mailed and/or emailed within two weeks after submission. If additional documentation is needed to make a decision, the time frame to make a decision will be delayed. Appeal decisions are final. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.