Federal regulations require that all students who receive any federal or state financial assistance make measurable academic progress toward a degree at Bellarmine University. Progress is determined quantitatively (hours attempted versus hours earned and maximum time frame) and qualitatively (GPA). Progress is monitored at the conclusion of the spring and summer semesters. Those students readmitted to Bellarmine will be evaluated for SAP upon registering for classes.
Enrollment
A minimum standard for full-time enrollment at the graduate level is 6 credit hours per semester. A minimum standard for part-time enrollment (at least half-time) at the graduate level is 3 credit hours per semester. Part-time enrollment (at least half-time) at the graduate level requires a student to be taking at least half of the course load of a full-time student. The definition of full-time used for student financial aid purposes can differ from the definition used for other purposes at the institution, such as the definition used by the Office of the Registrar.
Quantitative
The maximum time frame in which a student must complete his or her degree cannot exceed more than 150% of the published length of the student’s major. Graduate majors at Bellarmine vary in length so an average of the program length for Master and Doctoral degrees is used. Please refer to the information below for the correct calculation for your program. All semesters and credit hours attempted are used toward the maximum time frame allowance regardless of whether the student received financial aid. All repeated courses, failed courses, withdrawals, courses taken from a change in major and transferred hours will count as credit hours attempted toward the maximum time frame.
The Master’s level programs at Bellarmine require an average of 35 hours to complete the degree. Bellarmine Master’s level program students can therefore attempt up to 52 hours and still be eligible for aid. Once 52 hours are exceeded, aid would be suspended.
The Ph.D. program at Bellarmine requires 60 hours to complete the degree. Bellarmine Ph.D. students can therefore attempt up to 90 hours over the Master’s Degree and still be eligible for aid. Once 90 hours are exceeded, eligibility for aid would be suspended.
DNP program at Bellarmine requires 38 hours to complete the degree. Bellarmine DNP students can therefore attempt up to 57 hours over the Master’s Degree and still be eligible for aid. Once 57 hours are exceeded, eligibility for aid would be suspended.
Ed.S programs at Bellarmine require an average of 30 hours to complete the degree. Bellarmine Ed.S. students can therefore attempt up to 45 hours over the Master’s Degree and still be eligible for aid. Once 45 hours are exceeded, eligibility for aid would be suspended.
The DPT program at Bellarmine requires 143 hours to complete the degree. Bellarmine DPT students can therefore attempt up to 214 hours and still be eligible for aid. Once 214 hours are exceeded, eligibility for aid would be suspended.
In order to complete the necessary number of credit hours to complete a degree at Bellarmine at an acceptable rate, students must complete two-thirds (2/3) of all hours attempted. All attempted hours will be totaled and multiplied by 67% (.67) to determine the number of credit hours a student must have earned. Grades of W, I, IP, NR, F, and transfer hours are counted as attempted hours, however grades of W, I, IP, NR, and F will NOT count as earned hours. Retaking courses will add to the attempted total but will count only once as an earned credit.
Example:
| Fall Hours Attempted | Spring Hours Attempted | Total Attempted | Student Must Earn |
| 6 | 6 | 12 x .67 (2/3) | 8 |
| 3 | 3 | 6 x .67 (2/3) | 4 |
Qualitative/GPA
The minimum acceptable grade point average for graduate students is a 3.0.
Notification of Results
Students that do not meet SAP eligibility requirements will be notified via mail within two weeks of the conclusion of the semester.
How to Regain Eligibility
Quantitative-Maximum Time Frame
To regain eligibility, you must graduate and advance to a new career level (graduate to doctoral).
Quantitative-Hours Attempted vs. Hours Earned
To regain eligibility, take courses at your own expense in a subsequent term or terms and meet the standards according to the cumulative credit hours completion ratio outlined above under the heading Quantitative. Once you have taken the courses and earned a passing grade, you will need to notify the Office of Financial Aid to complete a clearance form.
GPA
To regain eligibility, complete courses at your own expense at Bellarmine and raise your cumulative GPA to the acceptable standard. Once you have raised your GPA, you will need to notify the Office of Financial Aid to complete a clearance form.
Right to Appeal
If there were extenuating circumstances (injury, illness, death of family member) that prevented you from meeting the standards of our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, then you have a right to file an appeal with the Committee for Financial Aid Appeals. In this appeal you must explain the following items: 1.) The reasons why you did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, and 2.) What has changed now that will allow you to make satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation.
If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on probation for one term, and after the probationary period, you must be making satisfactory academic progress or successfully following an academic plan that has been developed for you. You will be notified via mail or email the results of your appeal.
Satisfactory Academic Progress - Undergraduate
Satisfactory Academic Progress - Certificate Program