Satisfactory Academic Progress
It is important to note that federal law requires that students receiving federal funds under Title IV (federal work study and all federal loans) meet a “satisfactory academic progress” guideline. This guideline applies also to any institutionally administered financial aid. The specific guideline adopted by Lincoln Christian Seminary to determine eligibility for Title IV and institutional funds includes these five criteria:
- Minimum Grade Point Average: Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Total Hours Attempted: Students must have earned at least 67% of the “total hours attempted” to be considered eligible for financial aid. “Total hours attempted” is defined as the sum of the hours for all Seminary and transfer courses for which registration charges were incurred (including courses from which a student withdrew, if no refund was given). No undergraduate courses can be included. First-time students will be given a one-semester “adjustment” period if they do not meet this criterion their first semester. In such cases, students do not need to appeal, but will instead automatically be considered on financial aid probation their second semester, during which time they will be allowed to receive aid.
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Completion Limit: Students are not eligible for financial aid after their total hours attempted reaches 150% of
the total hours required for a certificate or degree, as noted here:
Master of Arts (1-year option) 45 hours
Master of Arts (48-hour option) 72 hours
Master of Arts in Counseling (60 hours) 90 hours
Master of Divinity (75 hours) 112 hours
Any combination of a double degree 150 hours - Denial: Students not meeting all of the criteria listed above will be denied additional financial aid and notified in writing of their ineligibility for further financial aid.
- Appeal: Students who are denied additional financial aid for not meeting criteria 1or 2 may make a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office (using forms supplied by that office). If an appeal is granted the student will be placed on financial aid probation and will be granted one additional semester of financial aid in which to meet the unmet criteria.