Financial Aid Office

Standards of Academic Progress

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

These Standards of Academic Progress became effective in the Fall of 1996 and are adopted according to federal mandates for the purpose of determining student eligibility for financial aid. These Standards shall apply to all financial aid, unless the terms of a particular grant provide otherwise. These provisions apply to students who, at any point in their educational career, apply for financial aid.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) REQUIREMENT

The minimum term and cumulative GPA requirement for undergraduate students is 2.0.  The minimum term and cumulative GPA requirement for graduate students is 3.0.  All new and continuing students must maintain both a term and cumulative GPA that meets UTD’s requirements on all credit hours earned at UTD, including those prior to the term for which aid is requested. 

HOURS REQUIREMENT

To be eligible for financial aid undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours; graduate students must be enrolled in at least 5 credit hours.  The following chart states the minimum hour requirements that all students must meet, as well as the maximum number of credit hours allowed for students pursuing a degree.

Grades of “W” or “X” will not be treated as completed coursework.
A grade of “F” is considered a completed grade and will be taken into consideration when calculating the cumulative GPA.
Students must meet both the GPA and hours requirements to remain in good standing.  It is expected that students be continually aware of their progress.  Academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each term.  All terms will be reviewed, including those for which financial aid was not requested.

FAILURE TO MEET THE STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS

In these provisions, probation or suspension refers only to Financial Aid standards of academic progress.

PROBATION

The first time a student fails to meet the standards of academic progress he or she will be placed on probation for the next term of enrollment.  While financial aid will be provided during probation, the student must make satisfactory progress to remain eligible for aid.

SUSPENSION

A student on probation who fails to meet the standards of academic progress will be placed on suspension for the next term of enrollment and will not be eligible for financial aid. 

REINSTATEMENT

To be considered for financial aid reinstatement for a subsequent term after a suspension, a student must enroll at least half-time (undergraduates-6 hours; graduates-5 hours) for one semester at UTD, pay the expenses related to that enrollment and pass the term with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students.  A student who successfully meets the requirements for reinstatement will be placed back on probation and will be eligible to apply for financial aid.  Two consecutive terms of meeting the standards of academic progress will place the student back in good standing.

APPEAL PROCESS

A student may appeal a financial aid suspension by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form to the Financial Aid Office.  Appeal forms are available on the Financial Aid Web site, financial-aid.utdallas.edu and in the Financial Aid Office.  The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review the petition and will contact the student when a decision has been made.  The decision of the Financial Aid Committee is final.

FINANCIAL AID WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR:

• Courses taken by audit
• Credit hours earned by placement exams
• Non-credit coursework
• Transient and transfer students attending only for one term
• Non-degree students who will not seek a degree from UTD