Academic Progress Standards

Purpose

The U.S. Department of Education Student Financial Aid regulations require that NEIU establish and maintain a policy to measure whether students applying for financial aid are making satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion. NEIU has implemented the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy necessary to evaluate a financial aid recipient’s continued eligibility for funds. The calculation of both qualitative and quantitative standards is performed at the end of each semester (including summer).

Policy Summary

Students are expected to:

  • Successfully complete sixty-seven percent (67%) of the cumulative attempted hours.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or "C" as an undergraduate by the end of each semester. Each semester undergraduate students are expected to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA average of 3.0 or "B" end of each semester.
  • Maximum time frame for undergraduate students is 180 attempted credit hours and for graduate (master's degree-seeking) students it is 54 attempted credit hours.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Guidelines

If a student is unable to meet the Minimum Standard of Academic Progress requirements due to extenuating circumstances, they may submit a typewritten appeal requesting the reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility. Students who wish to appeal being placed on suspended status must complete the following steps:

  1. Submit a typewritten appeal to the Financial Aid Office. Students should attach their appeal to the Petition Cover Sheet.
  2. Include supporting documentation verifying the situation (i.e.: letter from physician, copy of memorial service, police or accident report, etc.) with the appeal petition.
  3. Include an academic plan of action that will enable the student to meet the minimum standards in the future.
  4. Students suspended for exceeding the maximum hours requirement should also include a letter from their department academic advisor listing the courses still needed to complete their degree AND the anticipated date of graduation.

Appeals will be considered by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee, which will render a decision. This Committee consists of members from various NEIU departments and offices, including the Financial Aid Office. The Committee meets every six to eight weeks during the semester unless an emergency situation occurs and the meeting is rescheduled.

Any appeals received after the eighth week of the term will not be considered until the following term. The Financial Aid Office will promptly notify the student of the committee’s decision in writing. Students in termination status may enroll in classes. However, if their appeal is denied the student is responsible for any charges incurred at NEIU.

Financial Aid cannot be retroactively reinstated if an appeal is approved after a semester has ended.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Deadlines

  • Fall semester - Oct. 15
  • Spring semester - March 15 
  • Summer semester - June 15