Financial Aid
Academic Progress Policy
Federal regulations require that students receiving federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with standards set by the College. Students are normally expected to complete their undergraduate degree within eight terms. Washington College is not obligated to continue aid to students who require more than eight terms to complete degree requirements. However, students are considered to be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements if they earn credits and achieve cumulative grade point averages according to the following schedule. The following requirements apply to full-time students; part-time students are expected to complete their program within ten academic years:
Minimum credits completed successfully by end of...
1st academic year: 24
2nd academic year: 48
3rd academic year: 72
4th academic year: 100
5th academic year: 128
Satisfactory academic progress also requires a student to attain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 1.75 or better by the end of the freshman year and a CGPA of 2.0 thereafter. Transfer students are allowed one year at the minimum GPA of 1.75, but must achieve and maintain a cumulative 2.0 or better from that point forward. Incompletes, withdrawals, and failures will not count towards the minimum number of credits earned.
Student progress will be reviewed at the end of each academic year (two consecutive semesters of enrollment). If the student fails to meet the required minimum standards, a probationary period will be allowed for one academic year (two consecutive semesters). If the student fails to meet the required minimum by the end of the probationary period, their aid will not be renewed for the following semester. Students who are not maintaining academic progress will be required to resume normal progress before additional financial aid can be awarded. That may require completion of coursework without the benefit of financial aid. Any appeals regarding satisfactory academic progress must be filed through the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee.
Appeals of Satisfactory Academic Progress decisions can be made to the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee. Conditions for an appeal will be sent to all students who did not make satisfactory academic progress after the probationary period.
Merit scholarship recipients will be reviewed by the Student Aid Committee under individual merit program GPA requirements.
You may contact the Financial Aid office by phone at 410-778-7214 or by e-mail at fa_office@washcoll.edu.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782