Federal regulations require all schools participating in the Title IV financial aid programs to have a Standard of Academic Progress, which applies to all applicants and recipients of financial aid. To maintain financial aid eligibility, a student must be making satisfactory progress toward a degree. Satisfactory progress is determined in both a qualitative and a quantitative measurement.
All students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA), which is determined by the student's academic level. The cumulative GPA pertains to the cumulative GPA derived from Saint Leo University credits only. It is not combined with the cumulative GPA from other schools. Undergraduate students must meet the cumulative GPA required by the university for continued eligibility to enroll and graduate. Graduate students must meet the cumulative GPA requirements as specified by their graduate program.
Students must complete their education program within a maximum time frame (measured by attempted credit hours) and must earn (receive a passing grade) a minimum percentage of all attempted Saint Leo University credit hours. The time frame for undergraduate students cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the academic program. The published length of the academic program is the minimum number of credit hours required to earn a degree.
Undergraduate Students
The maximum time frame for students who enter Saint Leo University as a new student allows a total of 180 attempted Saint Leo University credit hours. Students who transfer to Saint Leo University at the freshmen or sophomore level are allowed 135 attempted Saint Leo University credit hours. Students who transfer to Saint Leo University, at the junior or senior level are allowed 90 attempted Saint Leo University credit hours. The completion ratio for all undergraduate students is 67 percent of all Saint Leo University credit hours attempted.
* Changes in major or a double major does not increase the maximum time frame. Once the allowed hours have been attempted, the maximum time frame is reached.
Understanding Satisfactory Progress
- Attempted Credit Hours
- Credit hours enrolled after the end of the end add/drop period. Credit hours dropped during the add/drop period are not included in calculating the attempted hours. Credit hours dropped after the end of the add/drop period are included as attempted credit hours.
- Incomplete Grades, Missing Grades, Withdrawals
- Incomplete grades, missing grades and withdrawals after the add/drop period are considered as not earned credit hours in calculating the number of credit hours completed.
- Transfer Credit Hours
- Transfer credit hours, including credits earned while dual enrolled, do not count toward making up shortages in earned credit hours for the completion ratio.
- Audited Credit Hours
- Courses taken on an audit basis are not counted when determining enrollment status for financial aid and are also not considered as courses completed for purposes of determining your completion ration.
- Academic Suspension and Standards of Satisfactory Progress
- Students who have been academically suspended from Saint Leo University may not receive any federal or institutional financial aid.
When is Satisfactory Progress Determined?
Satisfactory progress is reviewed at various progress points. A student must meet these minimum standards to be considered making satisfactory academic progress for financial aid.
| Progress Point Attempted Hours | Minimum Completed Hours | Minimum CGPA |
| 15 | 10 | 1.50 |
| 30 | 20 | 1.50 |
| 45 | 30 | 1.70 |
| 60 | 40 | 2.00 |
| 75 | 50 | 2.00 |
| 90 | 60 | 2.00 |
| 105 | 70 | 2.00 |
| 120 | 80 | 2.00 |
| 135 | 90 | 2.00 |
| 150 | 100 | 2.00 |
| 165 | 110 | 2.00 |
| 180 | 120 | 2.00 |
What Happens if Standards of Satisfactory Progress Not Maintained?
Warning Status:
The first time that a student does not meet the required completion or cumulative grade point average, the student will be placed on financial aid warning. The student will retain financial aid eligibility as long as the student is permitted to continue enrollment at Saint Leo University.
Probation Status:
After the initial warning status, if the student has not completed 67 percent of the attempted credit hours at the next progress point, the student will be placed on financial aid probation. The student will retain financial aid eligibility as long as the student is permitted to continue enrollment at Saint Leo University.
Cancellation:
After the probation status, if the student has not completed 67 percent of the attempted credit hours at the next progress point, the student will not be eligible to receive any federal or institutional financial aid, even if the student is permitted to continue enrollment at Saint Leo University. When a student has reached the maximum time frame ( the student has attempted the allowed maximum credit hours) financial aid eligibility will be cancelled.
Regaining Eligibility After Financial Aid Cancellation
Please note that a warning status is not subject to appeal Students who have become ineligible to receive financial aid may appeal the cancellation status if there is an extenuating circumstance which prevented the student for maintaining the standards of academic progress. Appeals must be received within 30 days of the cancellation notification letter.