Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid
In accordance with federal regulations, Wisconsin Lutheran College requires that a student be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree to be eligible for financial aid. Satisfactory academic progress is monitored both by a qualitative standard (GPA) and a quantitative standard (pace by which a student is completing his or her degree). Satisfactory academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each term of attendance including summer.
Qualitative
- A student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at the end of each term of attendance except the first term of attendance where a 1.75 minimum cumulative GPA is required. Students who do not meet this requirement will be placed on financial aid warning for the next term of attendance.
- A student on financial aid warning is eligible for financial aid, but the student must reestablish a minimum cumulative GPA by the end of the term. A student who does not reestablish the minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on financial aid suspension and will not be eligible for financial aid for the next term of attendance.
Quantitative
Federal regulations determine the maximum time frame to complete a degree is within 150% of the length of the degree program. In accordance with this policy, WLC students must successfully complete at least 67% of their cumulative credits attempted.*
- A student not meeting the minimum percentage of credits attempted will be placed on financial aid warning for their next term of attendance.
- A student on financial warning is still eligible for financial aid but the student must complete enough credits to meet the minimum percent by the end of the term. A student who does not complete enough credits to meet the minimum percent during the financial aid warning term will be placed on financial aid suspension and will not be eligible for financial aid for the next term of attendance.
*Further Details
a. A student's enrollment level is determined by what he or she is registered for as of the second Friday of each term.
b. Attempted credits include successfully completed credits (grades A -D), earned F's, incomplete, withdrawal and courses that were grade replaced.
c. Transfer credits accepted from other schools will be counted toward completion of the degree program as both hours attempted and hours completed.
Appeals
Students may appeal the suspension of their financial aid eligibility. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the financial aid office, addressed to the financial aid director. Students will be able to file an appeal due to extenuating circumstances such as health reasons, injuries, death of a relative, family emergencies or other documented extenuating circumstances. Appeals must include why the student failed to make satisfactory progress and what has changed in the student's situation that will allow them to make satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation point. Students are limited to two suspension appeal requests throughout their enrollment at WLC.
Financial Aid Probation
A student whose appeal has been approved will be placed on financial aid probation for the next term of attendance. While on financial aid probation, the student must reestablish a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA and complete at least 67% of cumulative credits attempted. Failure to do so will result in suspension of financial aid for the next term of attendance and any future terms until SAP standards are met.
Academic Plan
A student on financial aid probation may have an Academic Plan developed on an individual basis. Plans are developed and monitored by the Dean of Student Success in conjunction with an Academic Dean and the student's academic advisor. An Academic Plan could include certain performance requirements, a limited credit load, only certain courses to be taken, required meetings with an academic advisor, use of the Academic Success Center, or use of Counseling Services. Failure to meet the Academic Plan requirement will result in suspension of financial aid for the next term of attendance.
Refunds and the “Return of Title IV Funds”
If a student withdraws or is expelled from Wisconsin Lutheran College, then the school or the student may be required to return some of the federal funds awarded to the student. If the student received financial assistance from outside of the family, then a portion of the refund will be returned to the grant, scholarship or loan source from which the assistance was received. The student may also be eligible for a refund of a portion of the tuition, fees, room and board paid to Wisconsin Lutheran College for the semester.
A student who will be withdrawing should contact the Dean of Student Success and complete a form entitled Student Withdrawal Form to begin the withdrawal process. This procedure will enable Wisconsin Lutheran College to refund the maximum possible institutional charges. The amount to be refunded to the federal government will be calculated from the date a student officially completes the form and withdraws from classes. In case of an unofficial withdrawal, the amount to be refunded will be based on the last date a student was involved in an academically related activity.
The federal “Return of Title IV Funds” formula determines how much of the federal funding was “earned” up to the time of withdrawal and the amount that was disbursed in excess of the earned amount. This “unearned” amount must be returned to the federal government by the university and/or the student. The federal formula requires a return of Title IV aid if the student received federal financial assistance in the form of a Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, TIP Grant, Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Direct Loan, or Federal PLUS Loan and withdrew on or before completing 60% of the semester. The percentage of Title IV aid that is “unearned” and needs to be returned is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the semester. Scheduled breaks of more than four consecutive days are excluded. A postwithdrawal disbursement will be made if a student has eligibility for the Title IV funds. Any unearned Title IV aid must be returned to the federal government within 45 days of the date of the determination of a student's withdrawal. The order in which funds will be returned are: Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans, Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loans, PLUS, Pell, FSEOG and the Iraq/Afghan Grant.
NOTE: If funds are released to a student because of a credit balance on the student's account, then the student may be required to repay some of the federal grants if the student withdraws. Worksheets used to determine the amount of refund or Return of Title IV aid are available upon request.
Institutional Refund Policy
Students who withdraw from Wisconsin Lutheran College will receive a prorated refund of educational fees and housing/meal fees, according to the following schedule:
- During first week of classes: 90 percent
- During second week: 80 percent
- During third week: 60 percent
- During fourth week: 40 percent
- During fifth week: 20 percent
- After fifth week: none
All institutional and state aid funds are prorated and refunded according to the same schedule.
