The maximum timeframe for students completing degree requirements is 150 percent of the published program length. For example, a student in a 4-year program may not receive financial aid for more than six years. Eastern University funded aid (scholarships, grants, and discounts) is not available for more than eight (8) semesters - four (4) full-time years of study.

Therefore, students must complete 67% of all credits attempted at the current academic level of enrollment (undergraduate, graduate or professional), which is calculated by dividing cumulative credits earned by cumulative credits attempted.

The following grades count as attempted, but not as completed/earned credits:

• Incomplete (I)
• Withdrawn (W)
• Failing (F)
• No Credit (NC)
• Withdrawn Failing (WF)

Transfer and advanced placement credits count as attempted and earned credits.

Undergraduate students should also be aware that by completing the minimum 24 credits per year on a full-time basis would not allow the degree to be completed in four (4) years. Students enrolling for 12 credits per year on a part-time basis will not be able to complete the degree in eight (8) years.

Students must maintain the cumulative GPA based on the earned credit levels listed below. When progress is reviewed, these requirements must be met by both full-time and part-time students. If this level has not been maintained, the student MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY FINANCIAL AID OF ANY KIND until that progress level is achieved.

Traditional Undergraduate, Esperanza College, Adult Undergraduate (Associate’s and Bachelor’s-GPS)
Less than 25 credits 1.75 grade-point average
25 - 41.99 credits 1.85 grade-point average
42 - 54.99 credits 1.95 grade-point average
55+ credits 2.00 grade-point average

Graduate and Doctoral (includes GPS and Palmer Seminary)
All Graduate and Doctoral GPS students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 once 12 credits are earned; 2.75 GPA is acceptable for less than 12 credits.

Academic Progress is measured at the end of every spring.  Failures and withdrawals are courses attempted, not completed. Incomplete grades are not counted toward credits completed until after the course work is successfully completed and posted by the Registrar. Students who have an incomplete grade in one or more classes will not have financial aid processed until those courses are completed, a grade has been assigned, and satisfactory academic progress has been verified. The exception to the incomplete rule is enrollment in Graduate or Doctorate level thesis or dissertation courses where an incomplete grade will be allowed to continue until graduation. Repeat courses will not count toward credits completed for Satisfactory Academic Progress since the credits were already counted toward the standards the first time the course was completed and the student already received aid for these courses.

The Financial Aid Office will notify students via email to their Eastern email account about the loss of financial aid eligibility. Students who fail to meet these requirements will not be considered for financial aid for the next academic year.  If at the end of the next academic year all standards have been achieved, then eligibility will be regained. Under no circumstances will financial aid be awarded retroactively to the semester(s) in which the standards were not met. Students who fail to meet these requirements are encouraged to make up the hours and grade point requirements during the summer sessions at their own expense (FastPass awards are not held to SAP requirements).  It is the student's responsibility to ensure the grades and credits completed have been properly posted by the Registrar and to notify the Financial Aid Office once this has occurred.

A student who has not made progress may appeal the decision to the Financial Aid Office by submitting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form, which is included in their loss of aid email. You must be logged into your Eastern email account to complete the appeal form.  The following types of mitigating circumstances may be considered when a student appeals: extended illness, death in the family, and changes in educational objective. In order to submit an appeal, the student must complete the appeal form online, which requires that you attach supporting documentation as well as an academic plan approved by the student and their academic advisor. Reinstatement is not automatic.  If the appeal is approved, the student will be notified via email and held to their academic plan. The academic plan must include the following:

• Action plan (i.e. the student will meet with their academic advisor once a week, the student will attend tutoring sessions twice a month)
• Measurable goals (i.e. by the end of the summer semester, the student will complete both summer classes with a B grade or higher)- goals must be attainable within the next school year.

The student’s academic record will then be reviewed again at the end of their action plan completion dates to ensure the student has completed their action plan in order to maintain their financial aid eligibility.  All appeals must be submitted no later than a week prior to the last day of the semester you are trying to regain financial aid eligibility.

Students receiving a Pennsylvania (PA) State Grant must meet the state’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to continue to be eligible to receive the grant. Students must appeal directly to the state when progress has not been made for the state to reconsider their eligibility for the grant. The University may not override the state’s decision regarding the loss of a state grant.

*See University Catalog for further details.