Students enrolled in the Mount’s Continuing Studies programs may seek assistance through federal and state-funded programs. To qualify for financial aid, students must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis, i.e., at least six credits per traditional semester (i.e. fall, spring, etc). Most financial aid will be in the form of deferred student loans, though some students may be eligible to receive federal and/or state grants. Those receiving financial aid should be aware of the academic policies governing continued participation in financial aid programs, stated below. Students are also encouraged to check with employers regarding the availability of employer-sponsored tuition assistance programs.
Students interested in receiving financial aid need to plan accordingly. Because enrollment status is critical to this process, students should map their coursework on at least a semester basis. This means preregistering for all courses they intend to take in the semester’s modules.
For specific information on applying for financial aid, please see our website at www.msmary.edu/financialaid or call 301-447-5207.
Veterans Benefits
Veterans who are eligible to receive educational benefits should contact the University Registrar, who serves as the veterans certifying official. For more information, call 301-447-5215.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal Regulations require that a student receiving Federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards set by the University. Progress is reviewed at the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters. The policy is required to review qualitative and quantitative measures to ensure timely completion of a degree.
The evaluation of total credits earned versus attempted (quantitate) and cumulative GPA (qualitative) will determine a student’s eligibility to receive Federal and State assistance in future semesters. Students are considered to be making satisfactory progress toward completion of degree requirements, and thus eligible for Federal and State aid, if they achieve a cumulative grade point average according to the following schedule:
| Semesters completed |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
| Cumulative GPA |
1.5 |
1.7 |
1.8 |
1.9 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
| The above GPA standards are based on the University’s academic progress requirements. |
In addition, a student must maintain a 67% completion rate after each semester. Your completion rate is determined by evaluating total credits earned versus total attempted credits. Attempted credits include grades of Withdraw (W), Failure due to excessive absences (FA), Incomplete (I), and Audit (AU). Credits accepted in transfer count as both attempted and successfully completed credits. Repeated courses count as attempted credits during each term the student is enrolled in the course. However, a repeated course is only included in completed courses once. Repetition of a course passed for a higher grade will be used in the GPA calculation.
Mount St. Mary’s University is not obligated to continue institutional aid to a student who requires more than eight semesters to complete degree requirements. However, Federal aid applicants must complete their current degree program within a timeframe that is no longer than 150% of the length of the program of study. Therefore, students cannot attempt more than 180 credits for a first bachelor’s degree.
A financial aid recipient who fails to achieve the appropriate standard will be placed on financial aid warning. A student placed on financial aid warning must meet the above requirements at the end of their warning semester to maintain eligibility. Notification of such will be made, in writing, by the Director of Financial Aid and will include the minimum requirements needed to maintain future eligibility. Failure to do so will result in financial aid suspension.
A student who loses eligibility for Federal aid may appeal this decision, in writing. The appeal will be heard by the Associate Provost, the Director of Financial Aid and the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. The student will be asked to explain why they failed to make satisfactory progress and what has changed in their situation that will allow them to make satisfactory progress at the next evaluation. In addition, the student will need to document any extenuating circumstances such as severe illness, severe injury or the death of a relative.
A student with an appeal approved will be on probation if they can meet the above standards after one semester. If the student cannot meet standards after one semester, the student will be placed on an academic plan and must follow that plan until standards are regained. If the student does not meet standards after their probation semester or does not follow their academic plan, they will return to financial aid suspension status.
A student can regain eligibility for Federal aid by achieving the required standards listed above without an appeal.
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