Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines

These guidelines apply to all students, whether registered for a degree program or a certificate program. Students on financial aid must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to continue their eligibility for the aid. In some instances, students who do not maintain their SAP will be required to refund a portion of any financial aid they have already received.

According to the U.S. Department of Education a student must maintain certain standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP). In determining satisfactory progress, there are three elements or minimum requirements that must be met:

(1)  The rate of program completion or Maximum Time Frame (MTF) until graduation based on enrollment status (i.e., full or part time):

(2)  Semester Grade Point Average (GPA) and rate of course attempts, completed;

(3) Cumulative GPA and rate of course attempts, completed.

Each element is evaluated at specific times during each student’s program, but no less than once per year. Since Audit courses do not count for credit they have no bearing on the Satisfactory Academic Progress computations. Each of the three elements are fully described below.

MINIMUM SAP REQUIREMENT (1)

The maximum time frame (MTF) allowed for completion of any MJI program (i.e., SAP minimum requirement 1, above) is determined by multiplying standard program length for normally progressing students of the same enrollment status by 1.5. For example, the Maximum Time Frame (MTF) allowed a full-time student for a typical four year degree is 1.5 x 4 or six years.

Mandatory evaluations of all students occur at the end of each “educational increment” which for MJI is one academic year, ending during the summer semester. Program length is determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on academic and experiential credit given to a student at admission. MJI Bachelor degree programs require 120 credits to graduate and the Associate degree program requires 61 credits.

The formula for computing the maximum time frame depends on whether the student’s enrollment status is full time (12 credits per semester), time (9 - 11 credits per semester), time (6-8 credits per semester), or time (3 credits per semester). The maximum time frame within which a student must complete their course of study (in semesters) is computed as follows:

Maximum Time Frame = [1.5*(120 - C.T)/(15 *(e.s.f.))] semesters.

Where

C.T. = College level Credits earned before MJI enrollment and evaluated as Transferable to MJI and

e.s.f. = Enrollment Status Factor. The enrollment status factor =1 for full time, .75 for time, .50 for time and .25 for time.

A table of the Maximum Time Frame for completion of MJI programs and for a sample of different situations is shown next:               

MINIMUM SAP REQUIREMENTS (2) AND (3)

Students failing to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or a semester grade point average of 2.00 (i.e., SAP minimum requirements 2 and 3) or failing to complete 55% of courses attempted (i.e., receives Incomplete grades or withdraws from 45% or more of registered classes) at the 25% point of the maximum time frame will be placed on probation. If the 25% point of the maximum time frame occurs during a semester, the evaluation is conducted at the end of the prior semester.

Students are still eligible for financial aid during a probationary period. However, during probation the student is only allowed to register for a maximum of 12 credits. The total probation period allowed is only two consecutive semesters. Students must achieve a semester grade point average of 2.00 during the first semester of a probationary period and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 by the end of the second semester of probation to return to regular status and avoid dismissal from MJI. A student on probation who achieves a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 by the end of the first semester of probation returns to regular status at that time.

Students failing to achieve a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 after a probationary period or failing to complete 67% of course hours attempted at either the halfway point (50%) or 75% of the maximum time frame will be dismissed from the program, will be ineligible for financial aid, and must complete a semester in an extended enrollment status prior to being reinstated (length not to exceed 25% of normal program).

While on extended enrollment status a student is given the opportunity to attend one more semester with a maximum of six credit hours, to evidence ability to meet academic standards. Evidence of ability to meet academic standards is shown by achieving a semester Grade Point Average of 2.00. Following a formal evaluation of work completed during extended enrollment status, the student may be eligible for continuing the prescribed program of study. Under no circumstances will additional tuition exceed 25% of the original program tuition. Students reinstated following extended enrollment status will be considered on probation until the first evaluation period following said reinstatement. A student who is not reinstated following the extended enrollment period may apply for readmission as described earlier in the admissions policy section.

Work not completed (i.e., grade of I received) within two semesters following the completion of a semester will result in a grade of F. Students may officially withdraw from a class before the end of the fourteenth week of the semester and will receive a mark of “WP” if they were passing when they withdrew, or a “WF” if they were failing. Neither grade will count towards the Grade Point Average but both do impact on SAP determinations per Minimum SAP Requirements.

A student who withdraws after the end of the fourteenth week of a semester will receive a failing grade of F. Failed work required to meet graduation requirements must be repeated until passed. In computing the Grade Point Average from grades related to repeated work, the higher grade will be used in calculating the Grade Point Average. However, all credits attempted will be used in determining credits earned vs. attempted (Minimum SAP Requirement (2 and 3)). Failed work, because it carries no credit or grade point value, will have a negative effect on the ability of the student to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines.

Students who change their program of study will retain the credits completed and earned during their earlier program. Grades earned in the earlier program will continue to be calculated as part of the cumulative Grade Point Average and will be included in the determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Special Circumstances

Under special circumstances, students failing to meet the required academic progress standards may appeal directly to the Dean of Academic Administration and/or the MJI President for reinstatement. Circumstances that merit consideration include death of a relative, injury or illness, or other significant and documented hardship.

Appeals

Should a student disagree with the applicationof these SAP standards, they must first discuss problems with the relevant instructor(s). If still dissatisfied, the student may then appeal to the Dean of Academic Administration and/or the President of MJI. The decision reached after the presidential appeal is final and may not be further appealed.

A complete guide to disciplinary action and appeal procedures, and readmission policy as well as mitigating circumstances is published in the MJI policies and procedures issued to all students at the beginning of the first semester of enrollment.

Schedule Changes (Add, Withdraw)

In order to add or withdraw from a course after completing registration, a student must comply with the procedures set forth below.

During the first week of the semester, courses may be dropped without any mark recorded on the permanent record. During this period courses may be added with permission from the Dean’s Office.

After the first week of the semester, students will generally not be allowed to add courses.

Students may officially withdraw from a class before the end of the fourteenth week of the semester and will receive a mark of “WP” if they were passing when they withdrew, or a “WF” if they were failing. Neither grade will count towards the Grade Point Average. A student who withdraws after the end of the fourteenth week will receive a failing grade of “F” which will be counted toward the Grade Point Average.