Athens State University :: Student Financial Aid

You must successfully complete 67% of all ASU coursework attempted. All W's, I's, F's, repeated coursework and audited coursework count as unsuccessful completions.

You must complete your first bachelor’s degree requirements within 150% of the usual time frame for degree completion. ASU requires up to 128 semester hours to earn a first undergraduate degree. Therefore, financial aid will be available for no more than 192 semester hours of credit. When your cumulative hours exceed 192, your status will be MAX. No further aid will be available. (See information below regarding WARNING status.)

If you are seeking a second degree, you must complete the requirements within 130% of the time frame for the degree. An advisor's plan of study is required to be on file in Financial Aid for all students pursuing an additional degree. You must follow this plan. Therefore, if the plan of study calls for an additional 66 hours of study, financial aid will be available for no more than 86 semester hours of credit beyond the first degree. The additional undergraduate degree must be one in which ASU will award an additional degree. This may not be an additional major or minor, but must be for a new degree program. For example, if you have a BS degree, the additional degree must be for a BA or BSED to be eligible for additional financial aid. You must maintain a 2.0 on all course work and complete 67% of all coursework attempted. If you do not follow your degree plan or you exceed 130% of the second degree, financial aid will be placed on MAX . No further aid will be available.

If you are seeking a state required teaching certification or certificate program you must complete the requirements within 130% of the time frame for the certification. An advisor’s plan of study is required to be on file in Financial Aid for all students pursuing course work toward a certification. You must follow this plan. Therefore, if the plan of study calls for an additional 24 hours of study, financial aid will be available for no more than 31 hours of credit. You must maintain a 2.0 on all course work and must complete at least 67% of all courses attempted. If you do not follow your degree plan or you exceed 130% of the second degree, your financial aid will be placed on MAX. No further aid will be available.

If at the end of your first semester of enrollment, your completion rate is lower than 67% or your ASU and/or Overall GPA falls below 2.0, your status will be WARNING. (See information below regarding WARNING status.) If at the end of your WARNING semester you fail to regain compliance with SAP, your status will be SUSPENDED.

Student Appeals/Reinstatement Process:

Students with a SUSPENDED status, may submit an appeal for reinstatement. Student appeals must include all of the documentation listed below:

A typewritten explanation of extenuating circumstances associated with SUSPENDED Status. Indicate how these circumstances have changed so that you can comply with regulations in the future. Attach supporting documents to support the extenuating circumstances mentioned in the letter.

A plan of study (an outline of remaining courses required to complete the degree), approved by your academic advisor. You should meet/communicate with your advisor to review what is required to complete your degree; this should include a review of all general education, pre-professional, and professional courses required for your degree.

The appeal documentation must be provided to the Financial Aid Office no later than 30 days prior to the Tuition Payment Deadline for the upcoming semester. Failure to provide all documentation within the prescribed dates will result in a delayed determination.

RECOMMENDED: Attach at least one letter of support from someone that can substantiate the extenuating circumstances. This individual should not be a family member. Examples would include a medical doctor, clergy, professional, etc.

Once the Financial Aid Office has made a decision on your appeal, you will be notified via your ASU email account. If you have an approved appeal, your status will be PROBATION. Many times, conditions are required. Generally, PROBATION continues until you have regained SAP, provided you have no W’s, I’s or F’s in the enrollment periods of the probation. Failure to follow all conditions related to your probationary status will result in financial aid being terminated.

You may appeal the decision of the Financial Aid Office, with an additional typewritten letter, to the Financial Aid Committee. The Committee will review the appeal and notify the student via ASU email account. The committee reviews appeals once per term, near the beginning of the term. Decisions of the committee are final.

If your appeal is denied or you decide not to appeal, you must complete the hours necessary and achieve the grades required to return to compliance with SAP.

Special Note to students on MAX status: You may wish to discuss with your advisor the option of a first degree in liberal studies with the hours on your transcript.

Low Completion Ratio or Failure to Achieve 2.0 ASU and Overall GPA

Warning Status – The first time you fall short of meeting the required completion ratio or GPA(s), your status is WARNING. You remain eligible to receive financial aid while in WARNING status. A WARNING status is for one semester only.

SUSPENSION Status – After attending one semester on WARNING status, if you do not meet the required completion ratio or required GPA(s), your status becomes SUSPENSION status. You are no longer eligible to receive any financial aid until the required standards are met. You must successfully appeal to regain eligibility.

MAX Status – If you receive a MAX status, you are no longer eligible for financial aid.

Probation Status – After being placed on a SUSPENDED status, AND you have successfully appealed and financial aid has been reinstated, the student is eligible to receive financial aid. This status is only for one term and quite often will carry conditions and/or stipulations for continued eligibility.

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300 N. Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233-8100

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