Financial Aid

North Central Michigan College Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

In addition to meeting individual financial aid program requirements, students have to make satisfactory academic progress toward completing a degree or certificate program to receive aid. The North Central Michigan College Academic Progress Policy applies to all students who receive financial aid from any program administered by the College, unless exempt by the program. Federal regulations require that colleges review all enrollment periods whether or not aid was received. The requirements necessary to maintain financial aid eligiblity at North Central Michigan College are:

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements
A student must:
Have successfully completed at least 67 percent of all North Central Michigan College credit hours attempted or be a first-time student at North Central Michigan College, and
Have a cumulative North Central Michgan College grade-point average of at least a 2.0, and
Along with transfer credits, not have attempted more than 90 credit hours or 150 percent of the student's official North Central Michigan College academic program requirements.

Evaluation of Eligibility
Eligibility is determined when a student applies for financial aid each academic year and/or upon student request. Applicants who have not made satisfactory academic progress are notified by mail.

Probation
Financial aid applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements will be placed on a semester of probationary financial aid to move toward acceptable GPA or completion rates. Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress after the probationary period will have their financial aid withdrawn until they meet the standard or have an acceptable appeal. The College reserves the right to deny a loan to students on probation.

Appeals
A student whose financial aid has been terminated may appeal in writing. All appeals should include appropriate documentation. Extenuating circumstances considered for appeals include personal illness or accident, serious illness or death of an immediate family member, or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the student. Students in extended credit-hour programs and/or second degree programs may submit appeals.

Acceptable documentation includes letters from a physician, attorney, social service agency, parole officer, or an obituary notice, divorce decree and/or academic records. The student will be notified of the appeal results in writing. Appeals can result in a) denial of reinstatement b) reinstatment of the student's eligibility or c) a probationary period.

Reinstatement
A student may be reinstated after meeting one of the following conditions. Classes taken at institutions other than North Central Michigan College are not considered for reinstatement purposes.

The student has taken, without funding from the Financial Aid Office, at least six credit hours and has passed those six credit hours. The student will be given probationary aid for the balance of the academic year.
The student has taken, without funding from the Financial Aid Office, enough credit hours to meet the GPA and completion rate requirements. The student will be reinstated without probation.
The student meets the GPA and completion rate requirements after the probationary period. The student will be reinstated without probation.

Grades and Successful Completion
Credit hours attempted include all grades recorded on the transcript of 4.0 through 0.0, R, W and I. Repeated courses are identified as R on the transcript and are considered as credit hours attempted. Successful grades are 1.0 through 4.0. Unsuccessful grades are 0.0, W, R, and I. Unsuccessful grades are considered attempted and not passed for purposes of determining satisfactory academic progress.

Audits and Credit by Exam
Classes taken for audit or credits earned by exam are not considered when determining financial aid eligibility.