SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is designed to monitor a student’s progress through their program of study based on qualitative (cumulative grade point average) and quantitative (completion rate) achievement. In order to be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, a student must both maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and a completion rate to ensure they can complete the program within one and half times the program length.

EVALUATION OF SAP

To determine if a student is making satisfactory academic progress, a student’s CGPA and completion rate are evaluated at the end of every semester after grades are posted (approximately 10 days after the end of the semester).

SAP CRITERIA

The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and completion rate required based on program and semester credit progression is as follows:

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate and Doctorate Programs

Academic Warning for failure to meet SAP Criteria

At the end of each semester, if the student has less than the minimum acceptable cumulative grade point average and/or has not earned at least the percentage of attempted credits described in the chart above (required to complete the program within 150% of the program length), he/she will be notified and placed on Academic Warning for the following evaluation period (semester).

A student on Academic Warning continues to be eligible to receive financial aid funds scheduled. If a student fails to achieve satisfactory progress by the end of the warning period, the student will be dismissed from the program (unless the student files, and is granted, an appeal as defined below). If the student regains SAP by the end of the semester, they will be removed from Academic Warning.

GRADING SYSTEM

ACADEMIC PROGRESS APPEALS, PROBATION AND ACADEMIC PLANS

ACADEMIC PROGRESS APPEALS

A student may appeal the University’s determination of dismissal due to failure to re-establish satisfactory progress by the end of the warning period to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) based upon extenuating circumstances. These might include the death of a relative, an illness of or injury to the student or other extraordinary situations. The student’s appeal must be received on or before the first Wednesday of the first week of the new semester for the student to be eligible to register for the following semester.

The appeal must contain 1) an explanation of why the student failed to meet the SAP standards; and 2) a description of what has changed in the student’s situation that will enable him or her to again meet the satisfactory progress standards. Supporting documentation must be submitted if applicable (i.e. Hospitalization).

The CAO will review the information submitted in the context of the student’s entire academic record, and notify the student of his or her decision within 48 hours. This decision is final. If the appeal is granted, then the student will be placed on probation for the semester. The terms may extend beyond one semester, but must ensure the student will be able to complete the program within the maximum timeframe (1.5 times the program length) and with the required CGPA for graduation. A student on probation continues to be eligible to receive financial aid funds scheduled.

The student’s progress will be evaluated based upon the academic plan. If the student is meeting the SAP standards, or he or she has met all the terms of the academic plan, the student will be eligible to remain in school. In all subsequent semesters, the student must again meet the SAP standards or the terms of the academic plan.

If the student fails to meet the terms of the academic plan at the end of any respective noted checkpoint of the plan, the student may be dismissed.

ACADEMIC PROBATION

Undergraduate

Students with a CGPA below 1.5 will be placed on probation. They will have one more semester to achieve the minimum standards required of 2.0. Students not meeting these requirements beyond the extra semester will be academically dismissed.

Students placed on probation will be notified in writing and will receive academic advising to assist them in grade improvement.

If the Office of the Registrar determines that it is ultimately impossible for a student to obtain the required 2.0 CGPA at the end of the maximum time frame the student will be academically dismissed and will not be permitted to reapply in the same program.

For students reentering in a different program, only courses that apply to the new program will be calculated toward their CGPA.

Graduate

Any student whose cumulative average has fallen below 3.0 will be placed on probation. The student will have two terms (equivalent of 4 months) to raise their CGPA to the required minimum of 3.0 and be taken off probation.

Failure to do meet SAP requirements will result in academic dismissal and students must reapply for admission according to the Reinstatement Procedures.

Procedure for Re-Establishing Satisfactory Academic Progress

A student who is placed on Academic Warning and re-establishes SAP at the end of the Academic Warning period will be removed from Academic Warning. A student who is placed on Probation and re-establishes SAP at the end of the Probation period will be removed from Probation.

The Effect on SAP for All Withdrawal, Incomplete, Repeated Courses, And Transfer Credits.

Withdrawals: If the student withdraws from a course during the first week for any given semester (e.g., student receives a grade of W for the course), the course credits are included in determining credits attempted for the purposes of establishing satisfactory academic progress completion rate. A withdrawal does not impact the CGPA.

Incomplete Grades: A grade of incomplete (I) is not an official final grade. An incomplete is counted in credit hours attempted; however, it is not included in the calculation of the GPA or total credit hours earned.

Transfer Credits: All accepted transfer credits count both as attempted and as earned credit hours for the purposes of establishing the satisfactory academic progress completion rate. In general, transfer credits may reduce the time to complete a degree program.

Repeated Courses: Students will only be allowed to repeat courses, as required by the University, due to academic problems or attendance violations.Undergraduate may take a course three times. Graduate students may repeat a course only twice. The higher of the two grades earned for a repeated course will be used in calculating the CGPA. Students who repeat a course will be charged the current tuition for the course and must assume the responsibility for all associated fees.

The effect on SAP for non-punitive grades and non-credit or remedial courses

IUL does not offer remedial courses. The grade assignment of “T” for transferring a course is a non-punitive grade that does not impact CGPA.

The effect on SAP when a student seeks to earn an additional credential

If a student seeks an additional credential, the credits and grades attempted in the original credential that apply to the new credential are included in the determination of a student’s satisfactory academic progress, both in CGPA and completion rate, in the new program of study.

The effect on SAP for extended-enrollment status

A student who was withdrawn for failure to meet SAP standards and who is approved for re-enrollment by the University may choose to enroll without benefit of financial scholarships. The student may request a review of his or her academic record after any semester in which he or she is enrolled without receipt of financial scholarships. If SAP is re-established, financial scholarship eligibility may be regained for the subsequent semester of enrollment in the academic year.

The effect on SAP when student changes programs or is re-admitted to the same program

If a student is re-admitted into the University or changes their program of study, the credits and grades that are applicable to the student’s current program of study will be included in determining the student’s satisfactory academic progress and the appropriate evaluation level for the student. Students are not permitted to change programs of study unless they are meeting SAP requirements in their original program of study.

Re-entry for students dismissed due to failure to meet SAP

Students who have been dismissed for lack of satisfactory progress may apply to be readmitted into the same curriculum, as the class schedule permits, after one semester. A detailed plan for meeting SAP must be submitted and approved by the CAO prior to reentry. Submission of a plan for meeting SAP does not guarantee reentry and will be determined on a case by case basis.

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL APPEALS PROCEDURES

Within 10 business days of notification of dismissal, the student may appeal the decision by submitting a written appeal to the administration. The appeal should explain the circumstances that the student believes would affect his/her reinstatement.

The administration will review the student’s appeal, the student’s academic record, and the student’s attendance record, and may call upon the student’s instructors to determine relevant information.

Based on all the above, it will be decided if the student will be reinstated on an extended enrollment basis. The student will be notified in writing within 5 business days of the decision.

A student granted the opportunity to apply for readmission will need to address any outstanding balances and other obligations. If reinstated, the student will return on extended enrollment status.

In the case of unresolved conflict, the student can contact the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education, at 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32399-0400, toll free number (888)224-6684.

Reinstatement Procedures and Extended Enrollment Status

Students dismissed for failing to meet the satisfactory academic progress standards (all circumstances) may request continuance as an extended enrollment student. Upon approval, a student may take classes to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements.

To be reinstated to regular status, an extended enrollment student must seek to correct academic deficiencies by retaking courses they have failed. Once a student has met the minimum satisfactory academic progress standards, they may apply for reinstatement as a regular student. The reinstatement cannot begin any sooner than the first day of the next class period.

Students who are readmitted must repeat the last course in which they were enrolled and that resulted in their dismissal from the University. The decision to readmit a student rests with the Dean. A student dismissed from the University a second time is ineligible for readmission.

WITHDRAWAL

Withdrawal from a course

Before withdrawing from a course or from the University, a student should confer with an Academic Advisor and the Business Office.

Students need to complete a withdrawal form to begin the official withdrawal process.  This procedure will enable the University to prorate the fees assessed based upon the official date of withdrawal (University Refund policy applies).

Students withdrawing or administratively withdrawn before the last day to withdraw without academic penalty will receive a grade of “W” (withdrew).

Failure to follow these procedures may result in a failing grade in the course.

Withdrawal from the University

When a student is considering withdrawing from the University, the student should first talk with the academic advisor, Registrar or the CAO. The student will be informed of the financial impact of withdrawal.

Withdrawal process

The withdrawal process begins when the student notifies the Registrar of his or her intent to leave the institution. At that time the student should complete the University Withdrawal Form.

Determination of withdrawal date

Notification Given: When a student discusses withdrawal and/or brings the withdrawal form to the Registrar, the Registrar will note that date as the “Official Notification” date of withdrawal.

Notification Not Given: If a student fails to complete the withdrawal form and leaves during a course or between courses for which he/she is pre-registered, the student will be considered to have withdrawn without notification and the last day of attendance will be used as the official withdrawal date. If a student has withdrawn, the student’s registration for future classes will be cancelled and the student will be considered withdrawn from the institution as of their last date of attendance.

GRADE APPEALS PROCEDURES

A student who alleges unfair grading practices for an assignment or course must first communicate with the faculty member of the class within 10 days of grades being posted online. The burden of proof is on the student and the student shall provide evidence that unfair grading practices occurred. If the faculty member and the student agree to a resolution, the faculty member corrects the grade or the grade stands. If the problem has not been resolved and the student wishes to continue with an appeal, the student will send the Academic Appeal Form to the Dean’s Office within 10 days of the decision by the faculty member. The dean will review the student’s appeal, check with the professor and make a ruling.