General Info: Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress

A student must be a U.S. CITIZEN, or an eligible non-citizen, and
A student must NOT OWE A REFUND or REPAYMENT on a federal grant at any institution, and
A student must NOT BE IN DEFAULT on a federally-funded or insured student loan.

A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress standards. Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress includes the following three standards:

Grade Point Average

Credit Hours Attempted	Grade Point Average
0 -- 11.99	N/A
12 -- 24.99	1.50
25 & Over	2.00

A student must meet the following grade point average on all college credits and vocational credits attempted, which includes credits attempted at Northwest Florida State College and all transfer credits.

Students are given a grace period until 12 credits are attempted. Once the student attempts 12 or more credits, the required GPA will apply for all college credits and vocational credits attempted. Grades used in GPA calculation: A, B, C, D, F, WF - Grades not used in GPA calculation: AW, I, IP, IW, N, P, S, U, V, W, X.

Repeating Courses - Only credit from the last attempt of a course will be used in the calculation of a student's GPA.

Successful Completion Rate

Credit Hours Attempted	Grade Point Average
0 -- 11.99	N/A
12 -- 24.99	50%
25 & Over	67%

A student must meet the following successful completion rate on all college credits and vocational credits attempted, which includes credits attempted at Northwest Florida State College and all transfer credits.

Students are given a grace period until 12 credits are attempted. Once the student attempts 12 or more credits, the required completion rate will apply for all college credits and vocational credits attempted. Successful grades: A, B, C, D, P, S - Unsuccessful grades: AW, F, I, IP, IW, N, U, V, W, WF, X.

Repeating Courses - Only the grade from the last attempt of a course will be used to determine if a student successfully completed a course. All previous attempts are considered unsuccessful grades.

Maximum Time Frame - 150% Rule
Northwest Florida State College is required to establish a maximum time frame in which students are reasonably expected to complete their educational objectives. Students can’t attempt more than 150% of the total credit hours required for completion of their degree or certificate program. For example, a student working toward an A.A. degree needs 60 college credit hours to graduate. Once that student completes 90 college credit hours he/she is no longer eligible for financial aid (60 hours x 150% = 90 hours). Students enrolled in a one year certificate program CANNOT ATTEMPT more than 150% of the total number of college credits and/or vocational credits required for their certificate. Transfer credits WILL be included in the maximum number of credits allowed.
Grades used to calculate the maximum time frame (150% Rule): A, AW, B, C, D, F, I, IP, IW, N, P, S, U, V, W, WF, X.

Repeating Courses – All attempts are used to calculate the maximum time frame.

Additional Information and Requirements

Financial Aid Suspension
Students who do not meet eligibility standards shall be suspended from federal financial aid until they have regained eligibility in accordance with the Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress. (See FEDERAL PROGRAMS eligibility criteria listed under Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress for more information.)

Notification
The Financial Aid Office will send a letter to all current financial aid recipients who are to be suspended. This letter goes to students not meeting standards of satisfactory progress or academic good standing. Suspended students will not receive financial aid for the following term even if already enrolled. The notice will be addressed to the student’s most current local address on file with the Office of Enrollment Services. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO KEEP THE COLLEGE INFORMED OF A CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS AT ALL TIMES. The student is responsible for the cost of enrollment during suspension from financial aid. Financial aid will not be available.

Reinstatement and Appeals Process
A student who loses eligibility has an opportunity to appeal through an appeal process. The appeal must be submitted to the Director of Financial Aid IN WRITING by the student. (Special appeals forms are available in the Financial Aid Office, at any Northwest Florida State College campus or center, or on our Forms page .) The Student Financial Aid Committee will review student appeals. The appellant is required to provide documentation as necessary for determination of financial aid eligibility and shall fulfill reasonable requests by the committee with reference to submitting the appeal before the published deadlines and the submission of supporting documents. ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE ATTACHED OR THE APPEAL FORM WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The committee will determine if mitigating circumstances justify a student’s academic record. Mitigating circumstances are defined as:

Death of a close relative affecting the student’s academic performance.
Illness of the student or close family member having direct effect upon the student’s academic record.
Special circumstances of a substantial nature or of a unique kind as determined by the committee.

After reviewing the written appeal and all documentation, the student will be notified of the committee's decision in writing. A student will not be awarded financial aid or have suspended financial aid reinstated unless a mitigating circumstance exists and the appeal request is approved. If mitigating circumstances are found to exist, the student may be restored to satisfactory academic standing for one term, after which the general standards will apply.

Incomplete & Audit Grades
A grade of “I” or “X” will not affect a student’s grade point average in determining financial aid eligibility. The “I” grade will revert to an “F” grade if not removed by the last class day in the next 16-week term. Such a grade may contribute to suspension of financial aid eligibility. A grade of “I” or “X” will affect a student’s progression within a time frame towards adequate completion of all college coursework and the maximum time frame in which the student must complete his or her educational objective in determining financial aid eligibility.

Repeated Courses
A student may use financial aid to repeat a course in which an “AW”, “D”, “IW”, “F”, “N”, “U”, “W”, “WF”, or “X” has been earned. A student may not repeat a course for credit in which a grade of “C” or better was earned (unless permission of the Vice President for Instruction is obtained). The student may improve a grade in a course and the repeat credit(s) will be included in the total number of credits when determining enrollment status.

College Preparatory Courses
Northwest Florida State College approves college preparatory courses for the use of financial aid and includes college preparatory courses where necessary when determining a student’s enrollment status. Admission placement testing requirements will determine if college preparatory courses are needed in a student’s degree program.