Page 25 of Cecil Community College 2005-2007 Catalog by Cecil Community College

www.cecilcc.edu 24 Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid Students who receive financial aid must be making satisfactory academic progress in their program of study. Federal regulations require that progress be measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. This means that in addition to a minimum grade point average requirement, students must complete a minimum percentage of course work by the end of the academic year. The academic progress standards for financial aid recipients are: students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0; students must complete 70 percent of the credits attempted each academic year. Grades of F, I, M, R, W and K are not counted as hours completed; students must complete their program within a 150 percent maximum time frame. In general, the time frames for the associates degree programs of study are as follows: Full-time (12+ credits) 6 semesters Three-quarter time (9 11 credits) 10 semesters Half-time (6 8 credits) 15 semesters Less than half-time (1 5 credits) 18 semesters Certificate students have the same GPA and 70 percent completion requirements. The time frames are as fol- lows:Full-time (12+ credits) 3 semesters Three-quarter time (9 11 credits) 5 semesters Half-time (6 8 credits) 8 semesters Less than half-time (1 5 credits) 9 semesters Students enrolled in developmental courses may have their time frames adjusted to allow for adequate time for program completion. Students not making academic progress after one academic year are placed on financial aid restriction. During the restriction semester, students may continue receiving financial aid but will lose eligibility at the end of the semester if the deficiency continues. Eligibility may be restored once satisfactory academic progress is achieved. Students may appeal financial aid suspension in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. Withdrawals and Return of Federal Financial Aid Generally, federal financial aid is earned in direct proportion to the number of days that classes are attended. If a student completely withdraws from school during a semester, the College must calculate the portion of federal assistance earned by the student based on class attendance. The student must return any portion that is unearned due to non-attendance to the Department of Education within 45 days or the student risks losing future federal aid eligibility. The Financial Aid Office will notify students in writing when this determination is made. Details of the Return of Federal Aid Policy and a sample of the calculation worksheet can be obtained in the Financial Aid Office. Adjustments to Financial Aid Sometimes it is necessary to adjust financial aid awards. Reasons for adjustments may include: dropping/adding or withdrawing from classes; receiving additional financial aid; and selection for verification resulting in revisions to FAFSA data. Cancellation of Financial Aid Many reasons warrant cancellation of financial aid. These reasons include, but are not limited to: default on a federal student loan; repayment to a federal student grant program; verification process was not completed; academic progress was unsatisfactory; or non-attendance. In addition, adjustments to aid cannot be made for late start classes if students were not previously registered for them by the end of the add/drop period of full semester classes. Financial aid award amounts must be based on the number of credits for which students are enrolled at the beginning of the standard term. Students planning to take later-starting courses should register for them at the time they register for their full semester classes. Financial Aid Services (410) 287-6060, ext. 355, 555 and 542 (410) 287-1001 FAX finaid@cecilcc.edu

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