Satisfactory Academic Progress

Tarleton State University offers student financial aid in the form of loans, grants, work opportunities, and scholarships.  In determining the type and amount of financial aid necessary to meet a student's financial need, the University expects parents and spouses to make a maximum effort to assist the student with college expenses.  Financial aid resources of the University should be viewed only as supplementary to the financial resources of the applicant and family.  To apply for financial aid, a student must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The Federal Central Processor will mail Renewal applications or PIN numbers to students who applied for federal student aid for the 2008-2009 academic year and those students who apply in subsequent years.  Students should use the Renewal FAFSA or PIN Number to make their annual application for assistance.  Financial aid applications are available from high school counselors, the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, most college or university student financial aid offices, or contact:

    Student Financial Aid
    T-Box 310
    Stephenville, TX 76402
    (254)968-9070 or (254)519-5442

Academic Eligibility Requirements for Financial Aid

Various federal and state regulations governing student financial assistance require that an institution develop standards to measure academic standing and progress toward a degree objective.  These regulations are subject to changes in the Tarleton academic policy regarding probation/suspension.  The financial aid program is designed for all students who have a demonstrated financial need for assistance to meet college expenses and who are making satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the Department of Student Financial Aid.  All students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) and accepted for enrollment in a program leading to a degree or certificate.  Financial aid eligibility is contingent upon continued satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate.  To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must meet the standards listed below.

Grade Point Average:  Undergraduate students with 60 or more hours must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 for TSU coursework.  Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for TSU coursework.

Excessive Hours:  Financial aid will not be available to undergraduate students with more than 192 attempted credit hours.  All courses that a student registers for [including courses that were completed and those that were not completed (i.e. withdrawals)] or transfers to TSU are included in the excessive hour calculation.

Financial aid will not be available to graduate students with more than 54 attempted credit hours.  All courses that a student registers for [including courses that were completed and those that are not completed (i.e. withdrawals)] or transfers to TSU are included in the excessive hour calculation.

Deficit Hours:  Financial aid recipients are expected to complete a defined number of credit hours each semester per academic year.  This number is based on the number of hours a student enrolls for during the semester per academic year as follows:

Undergraduate students who are enrolled full time are expected to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work an academic year or if enrolled for only one semester 12 credit hours.  Students who are enrolled three quarter time are expected to complete at least 18 credit hours of course work an academic year, or if enrolled for only one semester 9 credit hours.  Students who are enrolled half-time are expected to complete 12 credit hours of course work an academic year, or if enrolled for only one semester 6 credit hours.

Graduate students enrolled full-time are expected to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of course work an academic year or if enrolled for only one semester 9 credit hours.  Graduate students enrolled half-time are expected to complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work an academic year, or if enrolled for only one semester, 6 credit hours.

Students who do not meet their minimum standards are not eligible for financial aid.  All financial aid offers will be canceled upon non-compliance of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Appeals
Students have the right to appeal Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.  However, the submission of an appeal is only a request and does not imply that financial aid holds will be removed or that approval of the appeal is forthcoming.  The appeal must be submitted to our office in writing and should demonstrate that extenuating circumstances occurred which were beyond the student's control.

All appeals must include the following information:

1.  Student's name
2.  Student's I.D. number
3.  The student's local or permanent mailing address
4.  The student's local telephone number
5.  Date of the appeal
6.  A signed letter from the student requesting a waiver of Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.  This letter must also include the facts or reasons pertaining to the student's inability to maintain stated standards.  if the student possesses extenuating circumstances, such as medical reasons or the death of an immediate family member, documentation must accompany the appeal.

A decision will be reached within ten working days and the student will be notified by mail of the results.