Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid recipients
All students applying for or receiving US Direct Loans (Stafford and PLUS loans) at the University of Bristol must progress satisfactorily towards completion of a chosen academic programme. Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) includes two standards; qualitative and quantitative. Students must meet both standards to continue receiving financial aid.
Qualitative
In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid with the qualitative standard, a student must maintain the academic standing necessary to remain at University of Bristol. The University of Bristol has clear Assessment Guidelines for undergraduate and taught postgraduate degrees. Details on assessment and progression for postgraduate research degrees can be found in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes.
The withdrawal of students will follow policies and procedures detailed in the Assessment Guidelines and Code of Practice. Students who are readmitted to the programme may be issued a one-time waiver to continue receiving financial aid. (The details are specified below.)
Quantitative
Students must be registered for a minimum of half the full time hours for a particular programme. In order to meet the quantitative standard, students must carry out research and complete and pass exams and coursework as detailed in the Assessment Guidelines and Code of Practice.
In order to maintain eligibility for funds the maximum timeframe for completion of a degree programme may not exceed 150% of the published length of a programme. Periods when a student does not receive funds will be included in the maximum timeframe. Students who transfer from another institution will have the time spent at the first institution included in the maximum timeframe. Periods of suspension from a course will not be included in the maximum timeframe. Credit value will be assigned to remedial and enrichment courses and will be included in the maximum timeframe.
Transfer students
The transcripts of students who transfer to the University of Bristol will be used to measure the quantitative SAP requirement. Only those grades earned at University of Bristol will be used to calculate the qualitative requirement.
Change of programme or degree
Students who decide to change their degree or programme will be evaluated similarly to transfer students with the exception that the grades previously earned at University of Bristol will be used to measure the qualitative requirements.
Second degrees
Students who have completed a degree programme and wish to pursue another at the same level must apply to that programme as would any other applicant and meet the admission requirements for the new programme. Federal loan eligibility will be limited to the aggregate programme maximums under Federal Regulations.
Evaluation process
Students receiving financial aid will be evaluated prior to each disbursement of Direct Loans (with the exception of the first disbursement). This evaluation process will consider the student’s progress as per the qualitative and quantitative standards.
Students will be notified in writing if financial aid is suspended or probated on the basis of the evaluation stated above. An appeal procedure for verifiable or unforeseen circumstances is available, if a student believes they meet those criteria. The University of Bristol cannot waive the satisfactory academic progress requirement for any student.
Policy for financial aid probation and/or suspension
- Students who fail to achieve the required qualitative and quantitative standards will be placed on financial aid probation for six months.
- Students who have been placed on probation and subsequently meet the requirements after six months will be placed back into good financial aid (SAP) standing.
- Students who have been placed on probation and do not meet the requirements applicable to their degree and level will have their financial aid suspended and will be ineligible to receive aid until such time as they achieve the required standards.
- Students may appeal their suspension of aid, via written appeal to Caroline Taylor, Income Office Manager. Students who appeal will be informed in writing of the decision, which is final.
Waivers and appeals
Students who are readmitted to their programme may apply in writing to the Income Office Manager for a one-time waiver to continue receiving financial aid. The student should specify the exceptional circumstances that lead to the poor academic performance and state the reasons why those circumstances will not affect future academic progress.
Students who have their eligibility for US financial aid suspended may appeal the suspension if one or more of the following circumstances exist:
- Death of a family member (parent, spouse, sibling, child, etc.)
- Extended illness of the student that causes the student to be absent from studies at the University for at least 15 days
- Extended illness of an immediate family member that places hardship on the student. Immediate family members include the parent, spouse, sibling or dependant
- Mitigating circumstances as determined by Caroline Taylor, Income Office Manager.
The letter of appeal should address in detail any extenuating circumstances that have affected the student’s academic performance and must be received within ten days of receipt of the notice of suspension. All documentation to support the appeal is required at the time of appeal submission.
Students should submit an appeal to:
Caroline Taylor
Income Office
Senate House
Tyndall Avenue
Bristol
BS8 1TH