Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress (FASAP)
For the Graduate Student
Franklin University’s Financial Aid Office reviews Standards of Academic Progress for students receiving Federal Title IV Aid. Progress is reviewed each trimester using three components:
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Grade Point Average (GPA)
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Hours attempted versus successfully completed
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The maximum time to complete a program
Students must meet the minimum requirements in each of the three components to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
1) GPA - Qualitative
GPA is reviewed each trimester after grades are posted. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of each term.
A student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) below the minimum will be placed on probation for three consecutive trimesters. If by the end of this time the CGPA is still below the minimum, eligibility for Title IV aid is withdrawn. Also during this time, the students must make term GPA progression.
2) Hours Attempted Versus Hours Successfully Completed - Qualitative
Successful completion of hours attempted is the second component used to measure FASAP. Any course for which a charge is incurred is considered attempted. Successful completion is defined as a course with one of the following grades: A+, A, A-; B+, B, B-. Unsuccessful completion is any course which was assigned a grade of C+, C, C-; E, F, I, NC, NZ, W, Z, or IE. Transfer credit will not be considered when determining successfully completed hours. If you are placed on probation for an "Incomplete" grade, you must notify your Financial Aid Associate when your grade has been changed to a passing grade.
A student is allowed, during a trimester, to have up to one (1) unsuccessful course and maintain satisfactory progress status. A probationary status is assigned for two (2) or more unsuccessful courses (see #4 below). Once assigned a probationary status for academic progress, any unsuccessful hours would be assigned a withdrawn status (See #5 below).
3) Maximum Time Allowed to Complete a Program - Quantitative
The third component used to measure FASAP is the maximum time a student may take to complete a program. To measure this, a student must successfully complete the Graduate Program within five (5) years of the start date of the program.
A student who does not complete the program within the required time frame, will be withdrawn from Title IV aid.
Note: The hours attempted include hours transferred from other colleges and/or universities that apply toward the student's degree at Franklin University.
A student must meet the minimum requirements in each of the three components: GPA, Hours and Maximum Time Frame, in order to maintain financial aid satisfactory academic progress.
4) Probation Status Requirement for FASAP:
Once a student is placed on FASAP probation, the student remains on probation for three trimesters. Each trimester, the student is required to:
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Successfully complete all hours attempted in any course for which tuition charges are made.
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Make GPA progression. Students must be at the required minimum GPA for their grade level by the end of the probation period.
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Meet all other FASAP requirements.
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Other requirements as specified in the terms of probation letter.
Students on financial aid probation, who do not meet these standards, will be withdrawn from Title IV aid at the end of the term.
5) Withdrawn Status -Regaining Eligibility:
Regaining eligibility for Title IV aid may occur in one of two ways:
- An appeal is approved based on documented extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances, in general, were unknown or nonexistent at the beginning of the trimester, and were not predictable.
- Make up any deficiencies without Title IV Aid. It is the student's responsibility to request consideration for a Standards of Progress review when all deficiencies have been eliminated.
To Appeal:
If you have a legitimate circumstance that can be documented, you may appeal your withdrawn status of financial aid.
Circumstances that are eligible for appeal consideration, which must be documented, include:
- Death of an immediate family member (e.g. spouse, child, parent, sibling)
- Serious illness or injury of self or of a person for whom you are the caregiver (e.g. child, parent)
- Catastrophic event (e.g. fire to your home)
- Maximum Time Frame
If you have a legitimate appeal circumstance that you can document, you should follow the steps outlined on the appeal form (link at bottom of this page). Mail or fax your completed appeal form, with documentation attached, to Financial Aid at the address/fax number on the form. It is not necessary to contact our office during the appeal process.
Circumstances that are not eligible for appeal and which will be not be considered include:
- Loss of employment
- Difficulty with class, study group or instructor
- Death of persons other than those indicated above
- Computer or transportation problems
- Non-serious illness or injury
- Eviction of or change in residence
- Non-emergency child birth
- Separation from spouse
If you do not have a circumstance which may be appealed, you must successfully complete any deficient hours with a grade of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B- and/or increase your GPA to the required level for your academic rank. After successfully completing three trimesters and satisfying your SAP requirements, you may submit an appeal for reconsideration of Title IV financial aid.
Your appeal will take approximately two weeks to review once it is received. Upon the completion of our review, you will be mailed a letter notifying you of the appeal decision. It is not necessary to contact Financial Aid once you submit your appeal. If you are enrolled while your appeal is pending and if your appeal is denied, you will be responsible for all tuition and fees incurred. If you are withdrawn because of an "Incomplete" grade, you must notify your Financial Aid Associate once that grade is changed to a passing grade.
To view or print this appeal form, click here: Standard of Academic Progress Appeal Form