Financial Aid

Minimum Acceptable Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that all students who receive any federal or state financial assistance make measurable academic progress toward a degree at Lindsey Wilson College. Progress is determined quatitatively (hours attempted versus hours earned and time frame) and qualitatively (grade point average or GPA). A student's academic performance will be reviewed at the end of the fall, spring, and summer semesters. A student must meet minimum acceptable academic progress by complying with the standard in order to achieve and/or maintain good academic standing. Any student with a 0 to 1.0 term GPA may be placed on probation or suspended.

The minimum acceptable GPA for undergraduate students is 1.5 after two semesters and 1.75 after three semesters. From the completion of the fourth semester of enrollment through graduation, the minimum acceptable GPA for undergraduate students is 2.0.

Note: Compliance with standards of minimum acceptable academic progress does not imply that students meet program criteria applicable to particular major fields. In addition, student athletes must adhere to the standards of their individual sports program in order to maintain athletic eligibility.

Students must also earn 66.7 percent of hours attempted each term. Grades of W, F, I, and NC will count as credit hours attempted.

Students can receive financial aid for up to 150 percent of the hours required for the degree, including grades of W, F, I, repeats, and transfer hours (180 hours for bachelor's degree-seeking students; 90 hours for associate's degree-seeking students).

Only transfer credits that are accepted and count toward the degree along with all Lindsey Wilson College credits will be used to determine satisfactory academic progress.

Students failing to meet minimum acceptable academic progress, as outlined above, are subject to the following sanctions.

Warning Semester: Students who fall below the minimum acceptable standards for academic progress for the semester will be placed on warning for the following semester. During the warning term, sanctions may include repeating of courses, limitation of credit hours, structured study times in the Academic Success Center, development of individual learning contracts, adjustment of housing assignments, or limitation of participation in non-class, College-sponsored activities. Student status will be reviewed at the end of the warning semester.

Probation Semester: At the end of the warning semester, students who continue to fall below the minimum acceptable standards for academic progress will be placed on probation. Probation sanctions may include those named in the warning sanctions, as well as financial aid sanctions. While probation is in effect, a student is subject to suspension from the College at any time when, in the opinion of instructors and the Vice President for Academic Affairs or Associate Academic Dean, the student's academic effort or social conduct fails to demonstrate a responsible approach to studies. Student status will be reviewed at the end of the probation semester.

Note: Federal Financial Aid regulations mandate that students who are placed on probation must appeal their probation and have an approved plan to return to good academic standing in order to retain financial aid eligibility.

Suspension Semester: At the end of the probation semester, students who continue to fall below the minimum acceptable standards for academic progress will be suspended from Lindsey Wilson College for a semester. When this happens, a student has the following options for gaining reinstatement:

1. During the suspension term, the student cannot take classes. The suspended student may write a letter to the Admissions Committee requesting readmittance to the college. The letter should outline a plan for being successful upon return to the college. Readmittance should not be assumed. Students readmitted after a suspension will be on probation for the first semester of reenrollment.
2. Student placed on suspension have the right to appeal. Student appeals to the Academic Affairs Council will be reviewed individually according to the following considerations:
• Past performance;
• Mitigating circumstances (e.g., health, family, personal considerations);
• The performance trend as reflected in the GPA performance over earlier semesters;
• Achieving the minimum GPA for the student's credit hour standard as defined above;
• Performance/compliance within the programs assigned as condition of probation; and
• Other individual circumstances and considerations.

Other Causes for Academic Suspension

Students who demonstrate a callous disregard for learning as stated in the Student Codes section of The Student Handbook may be subject to suspension by the Academic Affairs, in conjunction with either the vice president for Student Services & Enrollment Management or the dean of students. In addition, students who commit academic dishonesty may be subject to suspension or expulsion from the college (see Academic Integrity policy).

Readmission after Academic Suspension

Students may be reviewed for readmission to the college after serving the semester-long suspension through application to the Admissions Committee at the A.P. White Campus in Columbia. The readmission decision will be based upon students' compliance with conditions of suspension, evidence suggesting potential for improvement, and/or other individual factors. Readmission to the college is not guaranteed and should not be assumed. Students readmitted after a suspension will be on probation for the first semester of reenrollment.

Academic Bankruptcy Policy

A student may write a letter to the Registrar's Office requesting academic bankruptcy under the following conditions:

1. If fewer than three calendar years have elapsed since the semester for which the student seeks to declare academic bankruptcy, the student may declare bankruptcy for all coursework taken during that semester, provided that the student has successfully completed at least 18 credit hours at the College since the semester for which bankruptcy declaration is sought. None of the coursework, including coursework that was successfully completed, taken during the semester for which bankruptcy is requested will be counted in the student's cumulative GPA or hours earned.
2. If more than three calendar years have elapsed since the semester(s) for which the student seeks to declare academic bankruptcy, the student may declare bankruptcy for one to three semesters provided that the student has successfully completed at least 18 credit hours at the College since the most recent semester for which the student seeks to declare bankruptcy. None of the coursework, including coursework that was successfully completed, taken during the semester for which bankruptcy is requested will be counted in the student's cumulative GPA.
3. Students who declare bankruptcy during their college career are not eligible to graduate with honors.

When academic bankruptcy is declared, the term "Academic Bankruptcy" will be reflected on the transcript for each semester affected. The phrase "Academic Bankruptcy Implemented" will be stamped on the transcript for the semester in which bankruptcy is implemented. Students may declare academic bankruptcy only once. Students should be aware that academic bankruptcy may not be recognized by graduate or professional schools.

Petitions for Exceptions to Academic Policies

Petitions requesting exceptions to academic policies are written to the Academic Affairs Council and must be accompanied by a letter of support from the advisor. Petitions must be submitted by November 1 for consideration during the fall semester and by April 1 for consideration during the spring semester.