Requirements

Eligibility Requirements
General eligibility requirements for state and federal financial assistance programs are listed below. Other requirements may apply for certain programs. Be sure you meet all requirements before applying.

1. Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen
2. Have a valid Social Security number
3. Have a high school diploma or GED or pass an approved "Ability to Benefit" test
4. Have a reading score on the ACT or Compass test that meets the minimum requirement to complete a Certificate or Degree at Waubonsee
5. Not be in default on any student loan
6. Not owe a refund on any grant or loan, and not have borrowed in excess of the loan limits, under Title IV programs, at any institution
7. Agree to use any student financial aid solely for educational purposes
8. Agree not to engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance during the period covered by the Pell Grant
9. If required, register with Selective Service
10. Submit a Waubonsee New Student Information Form
11. Make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate as defined in the Standards of Academic Progress (listed below)
12. Be aware that financial aid does not cover repeated or audited courses or other ineligible programs

Standards of Academic Progress
In accordance with the United States Department of Education and State of Illinois regulations, Waubonsee Community College has established minimum Academic Progress guidelines for the receipt of financial aid. These standards apply to all students who apply for grant, loan, and/or work-study funds from state or federal programs of financial aid. The standards apply to cumulative academic performance regardless of whether or not the student was an aid applicant during each term of attendance.

Completion Rate Requirement
A student must complete at least 67 percent of all credits attempted in order to finish their academic programs within the Maximum Timeframe (see #3 below). The 67 percent completion rate applies to the total of transfer credits plus Waubonsee credits earned divided by the total of transfer credits plus Waubonsee credits attempted, and to the total credits earned at Waubonsee divided by the total credits attempted at Waubonsee.

1. "Credit hours completed" is defined as completion of course by the end of a given semester in which a student is enrolled and receiving a grade of A, B, C and/or D.
2. "Credit hours attempted" includes all credit classes in which the student is enrolled after the refund period.
   • Withdrawals after the refund period count as hours attempted
   • Students who enroll in telecourses must be aware that the class(es) must be completed by the end of the semester of enrollment and count as hours attempted for that semester.
3. Audits, courses numbered below 050, proficiency tests and noncredit courses are not included in the total number of credit hours attempted.
4. Repeated courses are always included in attempted hours. A repeated class for which the student earns credit is only counted once in completed hours unless the class is designated as one that can be repeated. This information is part of the course description in each term's Credit Course Schedule.

Grade Point Requirement
A student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Federal regulations require the college to take into account a student's academic performance throughout the course of study, regardless of whether or not the student previously received financial aid. Grades for repeated classes for which the student earns credit are averaged.

Maximum Timeframe Requirement
Student eligibility for financial aid at Waubonsee Community College is limited to 96 total attempted credit hours, which represents 150 percent of standard program length, or to the first AA, AS, or AAS earned by the student, whichever occurs first. These 96 hours include transfer hours accepted from other institutions.

Evaluation and Academic Progress Status
A student is evaluated for academic progress following the completion of each academic term and his/her status will be one of the following:

• Pass — The student is in the first term of enrollment and has not received grades, has not enrolled for credit courses, or is meeting all academic progress standards.
• Warn — If a student fails to meet the required completion rate, GPA, and/or timeframe requirement as outlined in this policy, the student is placed on Financial Aid Warning for the subsequent academic term. A student is able to receive financial assistance while on warning.
• Fail -   The student fails to meet the completion rate or the GPA standard at the end of the warning term. The student is not eligible for federal and state financial aid programs.
• Fail-A -  If a student does not complete all courses attempted with a 2.0 average in each term subsequent to an Appeal being approved, the student's status will change to Fail-A, Fail after Appeal.
• Denied   The student's Appeal is denied.
• Max -  The student has attempted a total of 96 credits including transfer credits or has earned an AAS, AA, or AS degree.
• Max-D - The student has earned an AAS, AA, or AS degree.
• Max-W -  The student has attempted a total of 65 credits including transfer credits. A student is able to receive financial aid while at Max-W.
• Max-A - The student is taking the courses that were submitted and approved on the Financial Aid Degree Audit.
• Probation-Academic Plan    The student's Appeal is approved including a Financial Aid Academic Plan. A student remains in a PROBATION status as long as all courses are completed with a 2.0 GPA average in each term subsequent to the Appeal being approved and the student is not at a MAX status.

Appeals
A student at fail status may submit a written appeal within 30 calendar days following the date the student's academic progress is reviewed and the status changes to fail. Appeals turned in after the 30 day deadline can be denied. If there were mitigating circumstances that affected academic performance or if the student completed all courses attempted with a 2.0 GPA in the term prior to going to fail, the student may appeal the suspension of aid eligibility. Failure to provide the required documentation for mitigating circumstances will result in the denial of the Appeal. If the Appeal meets the requirements to be approved, the student will be notified that he/she must meet with a Counselor to prepare a Financial Aid Academic Plan. This Plan must be signed by a Counselor and be submitted to the Financial Aid Office before the Appeal will be approved. The Financial Aid Academic Plan will specify the point in time when the student should be meeting the standards.

If the student was suspended due to exceeding the Maximum Timeframe, the student is required to submit an Appeal and a Financial Aid Degree Audit signed by a counselor. The Degree Audit lists the courses that are required for the student to complete his/her degree or certificate program. Appeals and Academic Plans may be submitted for the pursuit of a second degree. Only courses on the Financial Aid Degree Audit are recognized for the receipt of financial aid.  If the student completing an AAS, AA, or AS degree has not attempted 96 credit hours and will continue at Waubonsee in a different major, the student can submit an Apeal and Records Office Change Form listing the new major.  If the student applied to graduate but he/she has not completed all required courses, the student can change his/her graduation term by contacting the Graduation Analyst.

Appeals will be considered on an individual basis by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee and will be responded to in writing within 14 calendar days of receipt of the appeal. Your appeal will be reviewed and either approved with no provisions, approved with provisions, or denied.

Re-Establishing Eligibiity
A student who is below the Completion Rate and/or GPA requirement can re-establish eligibility by achieving a 2.0 GPA and/or a 67 percent completion rate as long as the student is not at MAX due to 96 attempted hours or the completion of an AA, AS, or AAS degree.  Once eligibility is re-established, the student's status will be PASS.

Notice 
This policy subject to change without notice to comply with federal or state regulations, or Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustee policy or action.