Federal Standards of Academic Progress
For all Students to be eligible to receive federal and state aid students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. Marymount Manhattan College’s satisfactory academic progress policy is developed in accordance with federal and state regulations.
The programs subject to these regulations include: Federal Pell grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grant (SEOG), Federal Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal Parent (PLUS) loans, as well as MMC institutional grants.
Maximum Timeframe for Academic Programs
Each College is required to set a maximum time frame during which a student is expected to complete a program of study. This time frame cannot exceed 150% of the length of the program measured in credit hours or years. MMC academic programs require 120 credit hours for graduation, therefore the maximum time frame to complete their program of study is 180 attempted credit hours (120 x 1.5= 180). In years, a student is expected to complete their undergraduate degree by the end of four years of full-time study. Under the new regulations a student will forfeit their eligibility to receive federal financial aid after six (6) years of full time enrollment (4yrs x 150% = 6 yrs).
A student who is aware of learning or other disabilities should immediately contact the Office of Academic Access and Disability Services so that appropriate accommodations can be made. Students with documented disability and functional limitations are still held to the academic progress requirements for financial aid eligibility purposes.
Federal Qualitative Standard: Grade Point Average (GPA)
According to federal regulations, to be considered as making satisfactory academic progress, the student must have a cumulative C average (2.0 GPA) at the end of the student’s second academic year. Any student not making satisfactory academic progress is considered ineligible for federal aid and/or MMC institutional grant aid. All students will be reviewed at the end of each enrollment period. The minimum required cumulative GPA is shown in the following table.
Required Minimum GPA
| Credit Hours Attempted |
Minimum Required Cumulative GPA |
| 1 – 18 credits |
1.2 |
| 19 - 29 credits |
1.5 |
| 30 - 47 credits |
1.8 |
| 48+ |
2.0 |
Federal Quantitative Standard: Pace (formerly Program Pursuit)
According to federal regulations, financial aid eligibility is limited to 150% of the credits required to complete a degree. As explained in the above section on Maximum Timeframe a student’s financial aid eligibility is limited to a total of 180 attempted credit hours.
For a student to be maintaining the proper pace, the ratio of earned hours to attempted hours must be no less than as shown in the following table.
Pace for Degree Completion (formerly Program Pursuit)
| When total attempted credit hours are: |
Earned (completed) credit hours must be at least: |
| Less than 26 credits |
50% of attempted hours |
| 26-50 credits |
55% of attempted hours |
| 51-75 credits |
60% of attempted hours |
| 76-100 credits |
65% of attempted hours |
| 101-125 credits |
70% of attempted hours |
| 126+ credits |
75% of attempted hours |
Additional Standards and Requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress:
- Students must be matriculated in an approved degree program.
- Attempted hours include all courses for which a student is registered, at the end of the “W” period.
- To calculate the cumulative GPA all A, B, C, D, F, WF, and UW grades are used and counted as earned (completed credits).
- The following grades are counted as attempted credit hours but will not count as earned (completed) credits: W, P, AU, N, NA, and Y.
- If a course is repeated, credits for each time the student registers will be added to the attempted credit totals, but earned credits are counted only once. Both grades received will be used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.
- If a student petitions and is approved for a grade waiver, credits for the course will be added to the attempted/earned credit totals. But, only the most recent grade received will be used in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.
- Transfer credits accepted toward the student’s academic program will be counted as both attempted and earned credits. For additional information review the section of the catalogue on Transfer credits.
- An incomplete grade must be resolved by March 1st after fall and January terms and by October 1st after the spring and summer terms to avoid an administrative “F” grade.
- Developmental (remedial) courses taken for “0” credits are not counted as attempted or earned credits.
Students are reviewed at the end of each enrollment period (Fall, Spring, Summer) A student not meeting Marymount Manhattan College SAP requirements will be officially notified of their eligibility status as defined as follows:
Academic Review Definitions:
Financial Aid Warning – Students who are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for the first time are automatically placed on Financial Aid Warning for one term. Students who are placed on warning are eligible for federal financial aid and/or MMC institutional grant aid during the warning period. Students who fail to meet the SAP standard after the warning period will be denied aid with an option to appeal.
Appeal - a student who after the Financial Aid Warning semester still does not meet the College’s SAP standards can then submit a petition of appeal for reconsideration of eligibility.
Financial Aid Probation – a status assigned by MMC to a student who fails to make SAP after their warning semester and who has appealed and has had eligibility for aid reinstated. During this probation period the student could be required to fulfill specific conditions such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses. A more detailed academic plan can be developed that, if followed, will ensure that the student is able to meet the College’s SAP standards by a specific point in time.
Appeal Process
Marymount Manhattan College monitors academic progress after each enrollment period. This review must be completed before any federal financial aid funds are disbursed for the subsequent semester. Students who do not meet our published guidelines will be notified by Academic Advisement and/or Financial Aid of their status. Students have the right to appeal any decision of ineligibility of financial assistance. The appeal may not be based upon the need for assistance OR lack of knowledge that a student’s assistance was in jeopardy. An appeal should be based upon some unusual situation or condition which prevented the student from passing more of the courses, or which necessitated that the student withdraw from classes.
Request for Review (Appeal)
A student who, after their warning semester, does not meet MMC’s satisfactory academic progress standards will be ineligible to receive any federal financial aid. The student will receive a letter of denial from the SAP Appeal Committee which will describe the appeal process and provide an appeal form and deadline for submission. All appeals will be reviewed by the Committee.
In the appeal the student must explain any special or unusual circumstances that caused the student to not make SAP such as:
- A personal injury or serious illness of the student.
- Serious illness and/or death of an immediate family member.
- Serious and/or unusual personal circumstances.
Documentation in support of the appeal reason may be attached to the appeal form for review. This documentation can be from a doctor, lawyer, and/or clergy member and must be on their letterhead. Other documents can include death certificate, hospital records, and doctor’s note.
The appeal must explain how the special or unusual circumstances have been resolved so that the student will now be able to complete the required number of credit hours or attain the required grade point average. An appeal and all supporting documentation must be submitted within deadlines set by MMC.
If the appeal is approved, the student’s financial aid will be reinstated for one semester. By the end of that semester, the student must have successfully completed the required number of credit hours and attained the overall required grade point average. Students who fail to make SAP by the end of that semester will have their future financial aid eligibility terminated. They will be notified in writing of their status by the SAP Appeal Committee.
If an approved appeal requires an academic plan, this plan must be approved by the Dean of Academic Advisement before the last day to add/drop classes at MMC each semester. The student’s financial aid will be reinstated during the period the plan is being followed. An academic plan is reviewed each semester by the student and an Academic Advisor. Students will be notified by the SAP Appeal Committee if they are found to be non-compliant with their academic plan.
An appeal may be denied if a student does not have grounds for an appeal. A student whose appeal is denied may be able to regain eligibility for future semesters. This is done by enrolling at Marymount Manhattan College at the student’s own expense -- without financial assistance until satisfactory academic progress is achieved.