How to Maintain Aid Eligibility

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How to Maintain Aid Eligibility

Keeping Your Financial Support Active

To retain financial aid eligibility, students must meet certain academic and enrollment criteria. This section outlines the requirements for maintaining aid eligibility, including maintaining a specific GPA, completing a minimum number of credit hours, and adhering to academic progress standards.

Academic Requirements

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

All students receiving financial aid must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress:

  • Minimum GPA Requirement

    • Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
    • Some scholarships may require higher GPAs (typically 3.0 or above)
    • GPA is evaluated at the end of each semester

  • Course Completion Rate

    • You must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours
    • Example: If you attempt 30 credits in an academic year, you must successfully complete at least 20 credits
    • Withdrawals, incompletes, and failed courses count as attempted but not completed

  • Maximum Timeframe

    • You must complete your degree within 150% of the published program length
    • For a typical 120-credit bachelor’s degree, this means attempting no more than 180 credits
    • Transfer credits count toward this maximum

Impact of Grades and Course Completion

Different grade outcomes affect your aid eligibility:

  • Passing Grades (A, B, C, D): Count as completed credits
  • Failing Grades (F): Count as attempted but not completed
  • Withdrawals (W): Count as attempted but not completed
  • Incompletes (I): Initially count as attempted but not completed
  • Repeated Courses: May be funded for a maximum of two attempts

Enrollment Requirements

Credit Hour Minimums

Your level of enrollment affects the amount and types of aid you can receive:

  • Full-time: 12+ credit hours per semester

    • Required for most TUOS scholarships and grants
    • Maximum federal aid eligibility

  • Three-quarter time: 9-11 credit hours per semester

    • Reduced Pell Grant eligibility (if applicable)
    • Still eligible for full loans

  • Half-time: 6-8 credit hours per semester

    • Reduced Pell Grant eligibility (if applicable)
    • Still eligible for loans, but may affect grace period

  • Less than half-time: 1-5 credit hours per semester

    • Limited to certain types of aid
    • Not eligible for most federal loans

Continuous Enrollment

  • You must maintain continuous enrollment from semester to semester (excluding summer)
  • Approved leaves of absence require prior notification to Financial Aid Office
  • Unapproved breaks in enrollment may affect loan repayment status

Annual Renewal Process

Required Applications

  • FAFSA Renewal: Required annually for federal aid

    • Available October 1 for the next academic year
    • Priority deadline: April 1 for returning students

  • TUOS Scholarship Renewal

    • Some scholarships require annual applications
    • Check your scholarship terms for specific requirements

  • Verification Documents (if selected)

    • Submit all requested documents promptly
    • Verification must be completed before aid can be disbursed

Timeline for Renewal

  • Complete FAFSA between October 1 and April 1
  • Check student portal for any additional requirements
  • Review financial aid award for the upcoming year by June
  • Resolve any issues before fall semester begins

What Happens If You Don’t Meet Requirements

Warning Status

If you fail to meet SAP standards for the first time:

  • You’ll be placed on financial aid warning for one semester
  • You’ll continue to receive aid during the warning semester
  • You must meet all SAP standards by the end of the warning semester

Financial Aid Suspension

If you fail to meet requirements after a warning semester:

  • Your financial aid will be suspended
  • You’ll become ineligible for most forms of financial aid
  • You must either appeal successfully or pay out-of-pocket until you meet standards

Appeal Process

If extenuating circumstances affected your academic performance:

  1. Submit the SAP Appeal Form (available in the Financial Aid Office)
  2. Provide documentation of extenuating circumstances
  3. Create an academic plan with your advisor
  4. Submit all materials by the published deadline
  5. Appeals are reviewed by committee; decisions typically take 1-2 weeks

Tips for Maintaining Eligibility

Academic Success Strategies

  • Meet with your academic advisor at least once per semester
  • Utilize campus resources like tutoring services and the Writing Center
  • Form study groups with classmates
  • Consider reducing course load if struggling with full-time enrollment
  • Seek help early if you’re having difficulty in a course

Financial Aid Management

  • Check your TUOS email regularly for important financial aid notices
  • Monitor your academic progress through the student portal
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office about any unusual circumstances
  • Meet with a financial aid counselor if your academic plan changes
  • Keep track of scholarship GPA requirements

When to Seek Help

Contact the Financial Aid Office immediately if:

  • You experience a medical or personal emergency
  • Your family’s financial situation changes significantly
  • You’re considering withdrawing from any classes
  • You receive a financial aid warning notice
  • You’re unsure about how academic decisions might affect your aid

Special Circumstances

Medical Withdrawals

  • May not count against your completion rate if properly documented
  • Require official documentation from healthcare providers
  • Must be processed through the appropriate university channels

Study Abroad

  • Most financial aid can be applied to approved study abroad programs
  • Must maintain SAP standards while abroad
  • Special arrangements may be needed for some scholarships

Military Activation

  • Special provisions exist for students called to active military duty
  • Contact the Financial Aid Office and Veterans Services for assistance

Resources and Support

Financial Aid Office

Location: Madison Hall, First Floor
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm
Phone: (555) 123-4567
Email: financialaid@tuos.edu

Academic Success Center

Location: Plato Building, Room 302
Services: Tutoring, academic coaching, study skills development
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-7:00pm; Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm
Phone: (555) 123-4000

SAP Calculator

Available in your student portal to help you track your progress toward meeting SAP requirements.

Meeting financial aid eligibility requirements ensures that you can continue to receive the support you need throughout your academic journey at TUOS. If you ever have questions about your status or need assistance meeting these standards, remember that our Financial Aid staff is here to help you navigate any challenges. Your academic success is our priority.