Academic Progress Standards

University and federal regulations require that a student be making academic progress toward a degree to be eligible for financial aid.

These regulations govern all aid administered by the University, including all Federal Title IV aid funds.

Time Frame Status

Enrollment status for a student's time frame will be determined as of the tenth day of classes for Fall and Spring semester.

• If a student withdraws prior to the tenth day of classes but has received aid, the student's enrollment status will be determined as of the day of disbursal.
• Once a student reaches the maximum time frame status, s/he has six months to appeal for additional semesters.
• An undergraduate student's time frame will automatically be adjusted to reflect his/her previous part-time enrollment status.
• Enrollment status for a student's time frame for summer will be determined on the last Friday in July. If you withdraw before this day and have received summer aid, summer will be counted based on the enrollment level at which your aid was disbursed.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must meet the same criteria, which apply to undergraduate students (see previous section).

However, to establish the time frame for completing a degree, one semester of enrollment will be deducted for each twelve credits that are accepted as degree credits at UWM.

Undergraduate And Graduate Enrollment Status And Credit Completion

Enrollment status for credit completion is established at the time of the student's first financial aid check disbursement for each semester. A student receiving any Title IV assistance must meet the following minimum standards:

Completion of Credits:

Less than half-time PELL Grant recipients must complete all the credits they enroll for. When reviewing the completion of credits, a grade of "D-" or better is considered credit completion. Incompletes, grades of "F", "F+", not reported grades, "no credit", or audit credits will not be counted as earned credits.

First Occurrence

• For any semester or summer session in which a student enrolls but does not meet the requirements for completion of credits, the student will be put in an "advisory status".
• Once a student is in an advisory status, successful credit completion will be verified prior to the disbursement of aid for each subsequent semester the student receives aid.
• A student remains in an advisory status until graduation, successful appeal, or the student becomes ineligible due to a second occurrence. However, your advisory status will be removed after one year if you have no further occurrences and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or more.

Second Occurrence

• If a student fails to meet the credit completion requirement for a second time in any subsequent semester, s/he will be INELIGIBLE for further aid consideration until the student completes nine credits (undergraduate), three credits (graduate) at UWM at his/her own expense.
• If a student is placed in an ineligible status and receives aid for the subsequent semester, full repayment will be required of all funds received.
• Once a student becomes ineligible, s/he has six months to appeal the advisory or ineligible status.
• A student currently working on the Federal Work-Study program will have his/her employment terminated under that program.

Reinstatement of Eligibility

• Once a student has completed the nine credits (undergraduate), three credits (graduate), at UWM at his/her own expense, the student must notify the Financial Aid Office.
• Upon reinstatement of eligibility for aid consideration, the student will remain in an advisory status.
• Failure to meet the credit requirement after reinstatement will again put the student in an ineligible status.

Standards Governing The Quality Of Academic Performance

Financial aid recipients are governed by the performance standards of the school or college in which they are enrolled.

• Failure to meet these standards may make a student ineligible to enroll and, therefore, ineligible for financial aid.
• Students with Junior standing must also have a 2.0 grade point average, its equivalent, or have academic standing at that point in the program that is consistent with the institution's requirements for graduation.
• Academic cancellation by your school or college will cause you to become ineligible for financial aid for that semester.
• Further information may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Students and the Offices of the Deans of the Schools or Colleges.
• You are required to repay all of the aid you received (excluding federal work-study earnings) if the academic cancellation occurs after the disbursement of your aid.
• If you are reinstated, please notify the Financial Aid Office immediately or your check disbursement may be delayed.

Academic Progress Appeal Procedures

First time appeals should be submitted to a Financial Aid Advisor. If the appeal is denied, a second request may be made to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. A personal interview with the committee may be scheduled. Further appeal may be made to the Dean of Students, Mellencamp 118. An appeal must be submitted to the Financial Aid Department within six months of the last day of classes for the semester in which the student becomes ineligible. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the department.