Students at Montana Technological University have a responsibility to maintain certain academic standards and make satisfactory academic progress towards a degree whether or not aid is being received. Federal regulations, HEA Sec. 484(c), §668.16, 668.34, require all schools participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy that conforms to the requirements detailed below. These standards apply to all grants, loans, work study, some tuition waivers and some scholarships.
Academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each payment period (semester/term).Federal law requires the consideration of three factors when determining whether a student is making satisfactory progress towards a degree: the qualitative and quantitative standards and the maximum time frame allowed.
| Type of Degree | Credit Requirement | Maximum Attempted Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree |
120-136 |
180-204 |
|
Post-Baccalaureate Degree |
|
240 (Including undergraduate) |
|
Associate Degree |
60-76 |
90-114 |
|
Certificate Programs |
30-41 |
45-62 |
|
Master’s Degree |
30-31 |
45-47 |
Repeats: A student can repeat a failed course as many times as Montana Tech academic policy allows and receive aid for the class. A previously successfully completed course may be repeated once. An “N” is considered continuing for academic requirements for the following semester. Repeating classes may lower your completion rate because a class can only be counted as earned one time but is counted as attempted each time taken.
Remedial Credits: Aid can be received for remedial credits as long as the student is enrolled in a program leading to a degree or certificate. No student may receive aid for more than 30 attempted remedial credits. These courses are counted in the quantitative standard and the maximum timeframe allowed for satisfactory academic progress purposes for all students. These courses are counted in the qualitative stand for Highlands College programs per academic policy.
Transfer Credits: Credits attempted at prior post-secondary institution(s) will be included in determining Satisfactory Academic Progress. Enrollment Services posts transfer credits as earned credits. Transfer credit hours are included in Pace and Maximum Time Frame calculations as attempted and earned credits.
If transfer credit hours are posted after financial aid is awarded, Pace and Maximum Time Frame will be reviewed at the end of the currently enrolled term. Transfer students must have all of their official transcripts submitted to Enrollment Services before the end of their first semester at Montana Tech.
Transfer students who do not have any transfer credit hours on record with Montana Tech at the time they are reviewed for financial aid eligibility, will be considered for freshman grade-level aid only. Transfer students can request to have their financial aid reviewed if transfer credit is posted during their first term. At that time all transfer work will be assessed per the policy standards detailed in this policy.
If transfer credit hours are posted prior to financial aid being awarded, Pace and Maximum Time Frame will be reviewed according to the policy standards detailed in this policy.
Financial Aid Termination will occur if a student:
Students who choose not to appeal their ineligibility, or who have an appeal denied, will have their eligibility reinstated once their academic record is in compliance with the policy. This means that alternate means of funding must be used to fund their education until they are once again eligible.
The appeal form explains the appeal process and necessary documentation. It is available at Enrollment Services located in the Student Success Center, and online at https://www.mtech.edu/financial-aid/pdf/satisfactory-academic-appeal-form.pdf.
Appeals are reviewed by the committee twice per month. Students will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision and any conditions of the appeal. The appeal will be approved, tabled, or denied.
If the appeal is approved by the Appeals Committee, the student is placed on financial aid probation or academic plan. Students are eligible to receive funding provided they continue to meet the conditions of the academic plan. For example, a student may be required to earn 100 percent of the credits he/she attempts each semester with a grade of “C-“ or higher.
Students on financial aid probation or academic plan will have their grades reviewed at the end of each payment period (semester) to ensure that he/she is meeting the terms of the appeal.
If the committee needs additional documentation or information before determining whether an appeal is approved or denied, the appeal will be tabled pending receipt of appropriate information or materials. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure any needed materials are submitted.
If the committee denies an appeal, the student will be notified of the committee’s decision and given an explanation of how they can restore Financial Aid eligibility if it is possible to do so.
If a student has additional or new documentation after an appeal is denied, they can submit a new appeal for consideration.
*Exceptions or amendments to any of the specific provisions regarding satisfactory academic progress standards may be made at any time without publication due to changes in federal, state, and/or institutional regulations or policies.