Standards of satisfactory progress for financial aid

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid – Day, Online and Graduate Divisions

Financial aid is awarded contingent upon the recipient maintaining satisfactory academic standing and progress (SAP) toward a degree.  Students on federal financial aid (Title IV) will be evaluated annually, both qualitatively and quantitatively, at the end of the spring semester for Day Division students and at the end of the Spring II term for Online and Graduate Division students. To assess the quality of a student’s work, Lynn University uses the Fixed Standard which indicates that all students must meet their degree GPA requirement at the end of Spring/Spring II.  Associate’s/bachelor’s students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, master’s degree students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and doctoral students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25. For the quantitative measure, a student must complete his/her degree within a specific time frame, as shown below.

Students receiving Title IV funding must complete their degrees within a maximum time frame as shown below.   The maximum timeframe is 150% of the published length of the program, measured in credit hours:

Associate Degree (60 credits hours required)

Maximum timeframe: 90 credit hours

Bachelor Degree (120 credit hours required)

Maximum timeframe: 180 credit hours

Master’s Degree (36 credit hours required)

Maximum timeframe: 54 credit hours

Ed.D. (51 credit hours required)

Maximum timeframe: 76.5 credit hours

Each Title IV recipient must meet a specific measurement of academic progress within the specified time frame as follows:

Associate Degree/Bachelor Degree

Full-time: 20 credits (annually)

Part-time: 10 credits (annually)

Master’s Degree

Full-time: 24 credits (annually)

Part-time: 12 credits (annually)

Ed.D.

Full-time: 12 credits (annually)

Part-time: 6 credits (annually)

A course that receives a grade of “W” for a course withdrawal or a grade of an “I” for an incomplete or a falling grade of a “F” or an “NP” for Not Pass will be evaluated as a non-completed course. These non-completed courses will jeopardize the student’s ability to be able to meet the Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid.

In order to improve their knowledge of a subject and cumulative grade point average, students may elect to repeat a course in which they have earned a less than satisfactory grade, especially a “D” or an “F.” The higher grade will be the grade that contributes toward the cumulative grade point average. Lynn University does allow repetition of a course in a student’s enrollment status for a term as long as student has never passed the course.  Students can retake a passed course once to improve the initial grade and receive Title IV funds.  In situations where the course needed to be repeated is no longer available or offered, a similar course may be substituted with the approval of the dean of the college. A course in which a grade of “F” was earned at Lynn University can be repeated only at Lynn University.  The repeated course is only counted once in the SAP calculation.

Transfer courses that are completed at another approved university or program while the student is receiving Title IV aid from Lynn University will be counted towards the student’s completion rate.  Transfer courses that were completed at another school prior to the student being enrolled as a matriculating student at Lynn University, and that apply to the student’s current degree program, will be counted towards their overall completion rate.  Although credits transfer in from other institutions, grades do not.  Transfer courses are listed on the transcript with a grade of T, CP or CC.  A student’s Lynn grade point average is based solely on courses completed at Lynn University.

A student requesting academic forgiveness at Lynn University due to a change in their major, specialization or minor is allowed to discount up to two courses in the abandoned program, but they are not eligible to change their federal status for meeting the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid. Therefore, eligibility for federal student aid must include all courses attempted and taken in evaluating the student’s satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility.

Courses taken during any of the summer terms are treated as a trailer to the current academic year and those courses are counted towards a students’ cumulative GPA and degree progression during the SAP review process. Therefore, SAP review will be evaluated at the end of the summer term

If a student takes courses that count towards their current program during a period of enrollment in which the student did not receive federal student aid, those courses still count in the student’s progress towards degree evaluation.

In summary, all students must meet both criteria; the grade point average requirement and degree time frame completion, in order to continue to receive financial assistance. In essence, at least 67% of the cumulative courses attempted must be completed with a 2.0 or above cumulative grade point average for the associate/ bachelor’s program, 3.0 or above cumulative grade point average for the master’s program and 3.25 or above cumulative grade point average for the doctoral program.

A student who does not meet one or both of the criteria will lose their eligibility for federal student aid for the upcoming academic year (fall & spring), however, the student may appeal these standards if there has been undue hardship (i.e., medical, death, divorce or other special circumstances).

Appeal and Reinstatement

Students that do not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) by both qualitative and quantitative measures by the conclusion of the spring semester or spring II term will have an opportunity to appeal their circumstances.   Students will be notified via e-mail (Lynn University e-mail address & personal e-mail address, if provided) if they did not meet the SAP requirements.  If the student chooses to complete the appeal process, they can request an appeal in person at the Student Financial Services Office or by contacting our office via phone or e-mail.  The appeal form must be completed by the student, their parent if they are a dependent student, and their academic advisor. The appeal must be submitted to the Student Financial Services Office for review by the Financial Aid Committee. The appeal must include an explanation of why the student failed to make SAP and what has changed in their personal situation that will allow them to meet SAP requirements by the next evaluation period.  The appeal must be provided with supporting documentation within 30 days of receiving the federal financial aid termination e-mail notification.   The appeal form also requires the student to complete an academic plan with their advisor for the following semester.  An academic plan is for one semester only.  It must indicate which courses the student is required to take and the minimum grade expectations for each course which will enable the student to increase their GPA and meet academic progress towards their degree.  The academic plan must be completed with the academic advisor prior to submitting the appeal to our office.

If the Appeals Committee approves the student’s request for reinstatement, the student will be notified via e-mail that their federal financial aid has been reinstated for one probationary semester.  They will also receive a hard copy of their approved appeal form via U.S. mail.

Financial aid probation lasts for one semester.  Academic progress will be reviewed after the final grades and cumulative GPA are calculated for the probationary semester/term.   Students who met the academic progress requirements during their probationary period (including students who successfully met the requirements of their academic plan) will be notified via e-mail that they have regained eligibility for federal student aid and are no longer on a probationary status.  If a student requires an additional semester/s in order to meet the SAP requirements, they can submit a new academic plan for the upcoming semester.  If approved, their progress will be evaluated again upon completion of the payment period.

If a student fails to complete their probationary semester successfully, their federal financial aid will be terminated. The student will be eligible for reinstatement of Title IV aid once all satisfactory academic progress standards (course completion and GPA requirement) are met; their eligibility will be reviewed during the next SAP review period which is at the end of spring/spring II.

Students that do not file an appeal, or who have their appeal denied, will be eligible for reinstatement of Title IV aid once all satisfactory academic progress standards (course completion and GPA requirements) are met; their eligibility will be reviewed during the next SAP review period which is at the end of spring/spring II.

The Standards of Academic progress apply to the following programs:

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

Federal Parent Loan for undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

Federal Work Study program

Federal TEACH Grant

In addition, specific financial aid programs require the following cumulative GPA for renewals:

Presidential Scholarship, Top Achiever’s Scholarship, and Academic Achievement Scholarship

3.5 cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring semester

Dean’s Scholarship, 

3.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring semester

Lynn Academic Scholarship, Transfer Scholarship,  Merit Scholarship,  Academic Grant, Knight Award 

2.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring semester

Lynn University Grant,  

2.75 cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring semester

Music Scholarship

2.75 cumulative grade point average, a B or better in Applied Music Instrument lessons, and fulfill requirements set forth in the Conservatory Student Handbook

Athletic Scholarship

2.0  cumulative grade point average each semester

Florida Effective Access to Student Education (FL EASE)

A renewal student must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and have completed 24 credit hours during two semesters (fall and spring). A student is eligible for one probationary year if he or she earns 24 credit hours but falls below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average after the end of the spring semester.

Florida Bright Futures

3.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring semester for Bright Futures Academic and 2.75 cumulative grade point average for Bright Futures Medallion.  In addition, student must complete a minimum of 12 credits per semester if they were funded for full-time enrollment; 9 credits for three-quarter time enrollment and 6 credits for half-time enrollment.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)

A renewal student must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and have completed 24 credit hours during two semesters (fall and spring).  Must meet the need based eligibility requirement and the institutional FAFSA priority deadline.

Veterans Benefits

Students who fail to achieve the desired level of academic performance after two consecutive semesters of academic probation will be terminated for Veterans Administration pay purposes. 

If a student is unable to meet the above requirements, he or she must contact the Office of Financial Aid to investigate if other arrangements are possible.

Academic bankruptcy

Students requesting an academic bankruptcy at Lynn University are not eligible to change their federal status for standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid. The federal guidelines prohibit the concept of academic bankruptcy. Therefore, the financial aid office must always include all courses attempted and taken in evaluating the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid eligibility.

Academic forgiveness

The academic forgiveness policy may only be used once in a student’s college career.  However, a student requesting an academic forgiveness at Lynn University is not eligible to change their federal status for the Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid.  Therefore, the financial aid must always include all courses attempted and taken in evaluating the student’s satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility.

The forgiveness policy allows a student who has changed his or her major, specialization or minor to discount up to two courses in the abandoned program. The transcript will reflect the student’s complete record with an added notation of “Academic Forgiveness Declared” by the selected course(s); however, the grade(s) will not be calculated in the cumulative GPA. Neither the grades nor the credits will be counted toward graduation requirements. A forgiveness policy form is available in the registrar’s office and will need the signature of the dean of the school of the newly chosen program, as well as registrar approval.

Repeat course

Federal financial aid funds can be paid for only one repetition of a previously passed course.  Passing grades are “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “P”.  A student may repeat a failed course until passed and use federal financial funds.

• Mental health challenges
• Death or major illness of loved one
• Personal illness, injury, or other trauma/crisis
• Financial challenges and unmet basic needs

Get Ready

• Review Academic Eligibility and Financial Aid SAP Standards
• Check your academic eligibility and SAP status in your Lynn email
• Familiarize yourself with the appeal requirements
• Initiate communication about third party feedback with appropriate contacts (advisor, instructor, physician, etc.)

Note Important Dates

• Know your appeal deadline and decision date  
• Also note key course enrollment and drop dates from the university’s academic calendar

Be Thoughtful

• Review appeal tips and resources
• Note any questions you have about the process and consult with your academic advisor
• Gather any supporting documents that you may need for your appeal

Tell Your Story

• Briefly describe any extenuating circumstances and the impact of these situations on your academic performance
• Reflect and share how you responded to the situation

What resources did you seek?

What action did you take in response to the challenges you faced?

Plan for Success

• What new study habits will you incorporate into your routine?
• How have you navigated the challenges you faced?
• What is necessary to restore good standing?
• What courses might facilitate your success?

Have a Backup Plan

• In the event that your appeal is denied, research the readmission process and contact your advisor with any questions.
• You may register for the upcoming term and pay out of pocket or pursue a private educational loan (may require a co-signer)
• If you choose to take the term off, consider the following opportunities:  

Employment and volunteer service

Successful completion of courses at other institutions

Treatment for any health, mental health, or substance use issues

Keep Calm, Patient, and Organized

• Take time to proofread your appeal and all documentation before you submit.
• Keep a copy of appeal materials for your records.
• Be patient with the process as each appeal must be considered individually

Be Honest and Factual

We want to know what you understand of the circumstances that led to this point. How did you get here? What have you learned?

Use Brevity

It is better to write a good, short appeal than a long, drawn out narrative. Write concisely

Proofread Your Appeal

An error-free appeal makes a better impression. If you are comfortable doing so, ask a trusted friend, teacher, or advisor to read over your appeal before submitting.

Be Clear and Specific

Do not share details that are not related to your appeal request or your main message.

Reflect on Yourself and Situation

Clearly explain how your situation has improved. How have you demonstrated resilience and persistence? In what areas might you need additional support?

Be Technical and Precise

Draft your appeal in a separate word document in case of technical difficulties, then save a copy of your appeal for your personal records. Be sure to submit your appeal by the posted deadlines.

Specific

Being specific is about being direct and avoiding extraneous details. What is it that you want to accomplish? Who exactly will be involved in this process? Be sure to root your appeal in details and steer clear of ambiguity, generalizations, and vague language.

Measurable

It’s difficult to set a goal if you don’t give yourself a metric to evaluate your progress. Being measurable is about quantifying your desired results. What data will you use to measure your goal? How much of something needs to happen or change to be considered a success? Include this information to give yourself a clear end point, or even benchmarks along the way.

Actionable

Remember to take action. You have to act to enact change. Instead of thinking about the finish line, think about the steps you need to take along the way. What needs to be done? What skills or resources do you need to work toward those things?

Realistic

You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by setting a goal you can’t achieve. Being realistic is about being honest with yourself. What can you do with the time, energy, resources, and skills you have available? It’s okay to acknowledge limits and work within a set of boundaries.

Time-based

Setting goals that are time-based is important because you won’t have an indefinite amount of time to work on them. What are your deadlines? When do smaller steps need to get done so you don’t get overwhelmed with too much work later on? Think about your timeline.

Academic

• Letter of support from instructor, teaching assistant, or tutor who can attest to your use of office hours or academic resources
• Communication on plans to resolve temporary grades

Financial & Employment Obligations

• Copy of work schedule that includes hours worked  
• Letter or support from employer
• Deployment information (military affiliated students)  
• Apartment and leasing contracts
• Relevant financial statement(s)

Physical & Mental Health

• Letter from health or mental health provider confirming support for continued enrollment at Lynn University
• Appointment history and/or relevant medical records
• Copy of psycho-educational evaluation results (ex. ADHD, test anxiety, etc.)

Personal or Family Emergency

• Copy of obituary if you experienced loss of loved one
• Photos of any damage or accident reports in instances of car accident, natural disaster, etc.
• Police report or court documents

• Previous appeals and outcomes.
• Demonstrated resolution of issues related to current academic standing.
• Use of time while away from the University, if appropriate.
• Demonstrated academic improvement.
• Engagement with resources and support.
• Specific and realistic plan of action.