Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures

If you receive financial aid, government regulations require that you make satisfactory progress and maintain good standing in your courses. Students not meeting this criteria are ineligible to continue receiving Financial Aid until they meet the reinstatement criteria as stated in the following procedures.

Continued eligibility for financial aid requires the following:

1. The student must receive passing grades (A, B, C, or D) in at least 70% of credits attempted during the semester for which financial aid was received AND a minimum of 2.0 semester grade point average (GPA).Please be advised that "W" and "IP" grades are not considered completed and will count against your attempted credit calculation.

2. The student must complete their program within 150% of the published full-time program time in order to remain eligible for funding.

3. Credits received for Credit for Prior Learning such as Credit by Work Experience, Credit by Exam, Transfer of Credit, and Audit, do not count for financial aid purposes.

4. In order for remedial classes to count for financial aid purposes, they must appear on the state listing of approved classes.

5. Students who fail to achieve the criteria listed on No. 1 will be given one semester of probation. The student may still receive financial aid during their probation semester. However, they must achieve the criteria in No. 1 in order to maintain eligibility. If the student again fails to meet the criteria during their semester of probation, they must complete one semester of at least six credits successfully without financial aid. Successful completion means completing at least 70% of attempted credits and earning a 2.0 semester grade point average.

6. If you have extenuating circumstances and wish to appeal the decision to terminate your financial aid, you may appeal for reinstatement of aid. See the Financial Aid Office for the proper appeals procedure to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Satisfactory Academic Progress:

What are NWTC's academic "standards" for Financial Aid?

1. NWTC has a dual progress system involving both a qualitative and quantitative measure. One involves the number of semesters to complete a degree. The other measures performance.
2. The number of semesters of aid eligibility is dependent on program length and enrollment status at the beginning of the semester (e.g., full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, or less).
3. You are not able to receive Federal Financial Aid beyond the 150% limit on program enrollment time. If you enroll at various enrollment levels, your maximum semesters limit will be adjusted on a proportional basis.

How often is status evaluated?

Status is evaluated every semester. This will cause a problem if you lose your eligibility over the Fall semester because NWTC has to cancel your Spring Financial Aid. In these cases, tuition deferments are also canceled, and you must make arrangements to pay tuition with your own resources.

If I am a transfer student, how will prior coursework at the other school(s) affect my eligibility at NWTC?

Your prior coursework at other schools does not affect your eligibility at NWTC. Your Financial Aid record at NWTC begins upon acceptance to a program at NWTC. Some State aid, however is limited to a ten semester maximum, which includes all schools attended.

How is performance measured for each semester?

You must complete 70% of the credits with which you start the semester. You are also expected to get a minimum of a 2.0 GPA for the semester. Failure to do so will prompt a warning letter. This means that you are put on probationary status (grace) for Financial Aid purposes. If it happens the next semester, you are not eligible for Financial Aid until reinstatement of aid eligibility either is earned or justified.

What if I don't complete my self-paced or TCA courses?

Although you are allowed two semesters to complete some courses at NWTC, you will be penalized for financial aid purposes. You must complete 70% of the credits with which you start the semester. "IP" grades are not considered completed.

How can I get reinstated?

You may be reinstated by appealing to the Financial Aid Director. You can be reinstated for financial aid only once.

Contact Financial Aid at 920-498-5444
or email for specific questions.