B.1.d. Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
This Policy applies to all undergraduate College students and is intended to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
The normal timeframe for earning the baccalaureate degree at Middlebury College is four consecutive years of study in a pattern of two 4-credit semesters and 1 Winter Term every year. When students declare a major, they are required to complete a review of their degree requirements to ensure that they are on track to complete the degree requirements while making satisfactory academic progress.
The Office of the Registrar reviews all student records at the end of each semester (once grades are submitted and recorded) and notifies the Office of Student Financial Services and the Office of the Dean of Students of any students who are not making satisfactory academic progress. The Office of Student Financial Services notifies any financial aid recipients who are not making satisfactory academic progress, while the Office of the Dean of Students notifies all students and their parents/guardians of any deficiencies and works with them to develop and document a plan to get back on track with credit requirements. The Office of Student Financial Services will notify students of their financial aid eligibility.
Minimum Course Completion Requirements
Students need to earn at completion of their first year 7 credits, 15 credits at completion of second year, and, 24 credits after completing their third year at Middlebury. Students who do not meet the minimum course completion requirements will not be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress until the deficiency is corrected.
Minimum Cumulative GPA
By the second calendar year of enrollment in a post-secondary educational program, the student must have at least a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. to be considered making satisfactory progress for continued participation in federal aid programs. Students who do not meet this test will be ineligible to participate in federal financial aid programs until this deficiency is corrected.
Maximum hours to earn degree: For the undergraduate program, the maximum time frame in which a student is expected to complete a program is six years, as the maximum time frame may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program measured in credit hours attempted. Undergraduate students at Middlebury College are allowed institutional aid for 8 semesters. The Administration Committee must approve a 9th semester, and if approved, students will retain their financial aid eligibility for their 9th semester of financial aid eligibility.
Students who are on academic probationary status, will also be put on "Financial Aid" probation and will be expected to meet the same minimum standards outlined by the Academic Probation and Failure Policies for continued enrollment.
Financial Aid Warning: Students who may be in jeopardy of losing their federal financial aid will be sent a warning letter which will remind them of the minimum academic requirements for federal aid and to take advantage of the academic services available to students. Students will still be able to receive federal student aid.
Financial Aid Probation: If the student has not reached the maximum number of scheduled hours and the Financial Aid Appeals Committee determines that the student has fallen below the completion ratio standards for satisfactory progress, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and notified that his/her continued eligibility for federal financial aid assistance is terminated. Students who fail to maintain the required minimum GPA will also be placed on financial aid probation.
Students on financial aid probation will receive a letter outlining the academic requirements the student must meet in order to receive aid for following semester. If the student on financial aid probation meets the terms of the probation, he/she will be permitted to continue to participate in the federal student aid programs for a subsequent semester. Students who have been placed on probation shall be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress for the purposes of receiving financial aid as long as the student continues to follow the academic plan outlined by their Dean. Students will normally be allowed only one probationary semester during their academic program. If the student does not meet the terms of the probation, the student will forfeit eligibility for all federal financial aid programs.
Specific Circumstances
1. Repeated Courses
See B.1.k.6 Grades and Transcripts
2. Multiple-Semester or Term Course Grades
See B.1.k.6 Grades and Transcripts
3. Incomplete Grades
See B.1.k.6 Grades and Transcripts
4. Withdrawals and Leaves of Absence
APPEAL PROCEDURE
Students wishing to appeal their financial aid ineligibility and request a semester on financial aid probation or who have exceeded the maximum timeframe for completing their degree must submit a letter to the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) explaining the circumstances involved in their lack of academic progress. The SFS Appeals Committee will review the student’s request and make a final determination. Circumstances such as illness, death in the family, extreme financial hardship necessitating full-time employment or a change in educational objectives may be considered for extension of eligibility.