Satisfactory Academic Progress

Grade Point Average

Students who fail to maintain at least a 2.75 G.P.A. with respect to their cumulative work are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.  This policy is consistent with Hartford International’s full Academic Probation policy.

Pace

Students are required to successfully complete at least 67 percent of all credit hours attempted. Pace is calculated by dividing the cumulative credit hours earned by the cumulative credit hours attempted.

All students who expect to complete a degree at Hartford International must do so within the following maximum time frame, beginning at matriculation:

MA in Religious Studies – 6 years
Doctor of Ministry – 6 years
Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy – 3 years
Ph.D. in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations - 7 years
MA in Interreligious Studies - 4 years
MA in International Peacebuilding - 2 years
MA in Chaplaincy - 4 years

Incomplete Courses

Courses for which a student is granted an incomplete (INC) will count toward cumulative credits attempted but will not be used to determine the cumulative GPA until the grade has been submitted to the Registrar.

Repeated Courses

Credits for each attempt of a course are counted towards the cumulative credits attempted. Only the grade for the second attempt is used in calculating the GPA.

Course Withdrawals

Courses for which a student receives a grade of “W” or “WP” will count towards total credits attempted, but will have no impact on the GPA. Grades of “WF” will count towards total credits attempted, and will factor into the GPA.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits from other schools will not factor into the GPA calculation, but will count as credits attempted and earned.

Financial Aid Warning

A student, who is determined to be not making SAP, will be notified by the Financial Aid Office informing them that they have been placed on Financial Aid Warning and will have one semester to improve their academic performance to a satisfactory level.  The student will continue to be eligible to receive aid during this period, provided all other eligibility requirements are met.

Financial Aid Appeal

A student who loses financial aid eligibility because of a failure to make satisfactory academic progress may appeal on the basis of extraordinary mitigating circumstances such as the loss of a family member, the serious illness of the student or a family member, or other emergent circumstance beyond the student's control.  The student is required to submit a letter to the Academic Policy Committee detailing the circumstances which resulted in the failure to meet the SAP standards.  Supporting documentation must be provided.  The student must also identify what has changed in their situation that promises future success in making satisfactory progress going forward as part of an academic improvement plan approved by their academic advisor. If the Financial Aid Appeal is approved, the student will be eligible to receive financial aid for one more semester.

Financial Aid Probation

A student who does not make SAP after the Financial Aid Warning period, who appeals the SAP decision, and whose appeal is granted, is placed on Financial Aid Probation.  Only students who have successfully appealed SAP are placed on Financial Aid Probation.  The student's academic improvement plan will identify conditions specific to the student's needs and goals as they relate to Hartford International's academic standards and graduation requirements.  While on Financial Aid Probation, the student is eligible to receive federal aid.  At the end of the probationary period, if the student is meeting SAP or the student follows the academic improvement plan set by the school, the student can continue to receive aid.  If Hartford International determines that the student does not meet the minimum SAP requirements or the commitments of the academic improvement plan at the next time of regular evaluation, the student is no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid funds.

Additionally for Veterans:

For the purpose of VA regulations, the VA is notified immediately after any semester that a veteran does not make SAP.  All veterans must comply with Hartford International’s SAP Policy as stated above.  No veteran will be certified until SAP has been verified.