Academic Requirements (ADP)
Satisfactory Academic Progress
For a student to be eligible to receive financial assistance from Title IV Federal funds (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, and Federal Work Study Program), State funds (NC Legislative Tuition Grant, NC Incentive Grant, and NC Lottery) or Belmont Abbey College funds, he/she is required to make satisfactory academic progress.
Criteria for Determining Satisfactory Academic Progress:
A student must successfully complete the following number of credit hours per academic year AND must have received a minimum cumulative GPA as defined in detail in the College Bulletin and summarized below.
1. Enrollment Status and Number of Hours which must be
successfully completed: |
- Full time (12 or more credit hours)
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Total of 24 |
- Three-quarter time (9—11 credit hours)
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Total of 18 |
- Half-time (6—8 credit hours)
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Total of 12 |
| 2. Cumulative GPA Requirements: |
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2.00 |
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2.00 |
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2.00 |
A student must complete requirements for a degree within a maximum of five and one-half years or 11 semesters as a full-time student. Less than full-time students will be prorated in accordance to the student’s enrollment status as defined in #1 above.
In addition, a student must be making progress toward graduation as follows:
Degree Completion—Undergraduate degrees at Belmont Abbey College consist of 120 credit hours. Students have 11 semesters to complete these 120 hours and receive Title IV federal student aid. Progress will be measured by dividing the cumulative number of hours the student has successfully completed by the cumulative number of hours the student has attempted. This calculation includes any transfer hours the student may have.
- Any part-time hours will count in the maximum time frame calculations above.
- Hours are counted for all terms, even terms in which the student did not receive financial aid.
Note: Credit hours earned through competency assessments, challenge exams, co-curricular activities, CLEP, etc., are not counted. No credit is given for WP, WF, or I grades; however, WF and I grades are reflected in calculation of the student’s grade point average (GPA). The grading system and calculation of GPA are explained in the Academic Catalogue.
Example of satisfactory academic progress below:
Jasper enrolls at BAC and transfers in 60 credit hours. During the fall and spring semesters (academic year), he enrolls for 30 credit hours and successfully completes 24. His calculation for SAP is 84 hours completed (60 transfer hours and 24 this academic year) divided by 90 (the total number of hours attempted). He is progressing at a 93% completion rate toward graduation.
In the next academic year Jasper enrolls for another 30 hours, but only completes 21. His SAP calculation is 105 (hours completed 84+21) divided by 120 (90 + 30 hours attempted). His completion rate toward graduation is now 88%, revealing that he is not making the same progress as he did in the previous semester. By failing to complete at least 24 hours in the academic year, Jasper is not making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
What are the consequences for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements listed above?
If a student fails to meet any one of the requirements stated above at the end of an academic year, he/she will be considered not making satisfactory academic progress and will not be awarded any Federal Title IV aid, state aid, or Belmont Abbey College institutional aid unless the student successfully appeals to the Financial Aid Review Committee and is put on Financial Aid probation.
Once a student is placed on financial aid probation, they have one semester to attain satisfactory academic progress or they will forfeit all financial aid the following semester.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals
Appealing to the Financial Aid Review Committee
IMPORTANT: In order for an appeal letter to be considered, it must be written by the student, signed, dated, and submitted to the Financial Aid Office prior to the submission deadline, as indicated in the Satisfactory Academic Progress letter. Appeals must contain the following information:
1. Your description of the extenuating circumstances that you believe prevented you from meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Examples of extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:
- Unexpected death or major hospitalization of a student’s immediate family member
- Extended hospitalization or medical condition of student
- Victimization of a violent crime or natural disaster
Examples that are NOT considered extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:
- Work conflicts or lack of transportation to school
- Change of major or pursuit of a double major
- The time of day the class is being held
- The professor who is teaching the course
2. Your Plan of Action—what you will do to resolve the cause of the circumstance which led to unsatisfactory academic progress
3. Your contact information—provide us with your phone number and email address
4. Copies of supporting documentation such as doctor’s letters/bills, death certificate, obituary, police reports, etc.
Submitting Your Appeal
You must submit your appeal via email (remember to attach any supporting documentation) to SAPappeal@bac.edu by the cutoff date listed on your Satisfactory Academic Progress letter. Appeals sent to any other email address will not be reviewed by the Financial Aid Review Committee.
After Submitting Your Appeal
Your appeal will be reviewed within 2 weeks of the deadline listed to submit your appeal. The review of your appeal may take longer during peak periods. You will be notified via your Belmont Abbey College email account of the committee’s decision. The decision of the committee is final.
During the review process the following factors may be considered:
- Validity of reasons for failing to meet SAP standards
- Resolution of the problems leading up to failure to meet SAP Standards
- Prior academic history (credits earned vs. credits attempted, GPA, number of repeats, etc.)
- Any correspondence from your academic advisor
- If you are a residential student, your campus disciplinary status (any violations, etc.)
- Your demonstrated motivation to succeed
- Quality of the appeal
- Quality and thoroughness of supporting documentation
Academic Requirements for Receiving Institutional Awards
All Institutional funds, including athletic scholarships
- Student must meet above requirements and maintain a cumulative 2.00 GPA.
- Student must maintain full time enrollment status.
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