Internet Access for Students
The U.S. Department of Education has developed a web site giving students Internet access to information about ANY Title IV aid he or she has received. This site is part of the national Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and may be found at
www.nslds.ed.gov. To access the site, students must have a personal identification number (PIN).
Refund and Return of Title IV Funds Policy
In accordance with the University refund policy in the Course Catalog, a student who officially withdraws from UA Fort Smith may obtain a portion of tuition that has been paid.
The University maintains a fair and equitable refund policy as mandated by the U.S. Department of Education for all students receiving federal aid who completely withdraw.
A portion of Title IV grant or loan funds, but not Federal Work Study (FWS) or state grant (SSIG) funds, must be returned to the Title IV programs if a Title IV recipient completely withdraws from school within the 60 percent time frame.
The percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed is determined by dividing the total number of calendar days comprising the payment period or period of enrollment for which assistance is awarded into the number of calendar days completed in that period as of the day the student withdrew. Up through the 60 percent point in time, the percentage of assistance earned is
equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that was completed as of the day the student withdrew. If the student withdrawal occurs after the 60 percent point, then the percentage is 100 percent.
If the student has received more grant or loan assistance than the amount earned, then the unearned funds shall be returned by the school or the student, or both.
These calculations are in accordance with the formula and guidelines established by federal regulations. The repayment to the various programs will be in the following priority: Federal Family Education Loan Program, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, other Title IV programs, institutional funds, outside agency funds, and student.
Copies of the refund calculation are available upon request in the Financial Aid Office. For other information about the University and its policies, refer to the
Course Catalog. (
PDF)
Academic Progress Policy
Section 668.34 of the Higher Education Act states that a student must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward a degree to receive Title IV financial aid. Title IV aid includes Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Arkansas State Student Incentive Grant, Federal Work Study, and Federal Stafford Student Loans.
The three components of SAP are percentages of attempted hours successfully completed, cumulative grade point average, and maximum time frame. All three components must be met.
Successful Completion Of Course Work
You must complete a minimum of 67% of the hours you enroll in each year and overall (reviewed at the end of the summer terms). All acceptable hours appearing on the transcripts from prior schools will be counted in the overall attempted hours calculation.
Successful completion of a course is defined as a passing grade. Grades of "W" (all withdrawals), "IP" (incomplete), "F" (failing), and change in a course from "credit" to "audit" will cause a course to be considered not completed for financial aid purposes.
If you do not complete at least 67% of credit hours attempted in an award year (fall, spring, and summer combined), your federal aid eligibility will be suspended until your annual and overall completion rates return to 67%.
Minimum Grade Point Average
You must maintain minimum cumulative grade point average as follows in order to continue Title IV Aid:
| Hours Attempted | 0 - 15 | 16 - 29 | 30 and over |
|---|
| Minimum Cumulative GPA | 1.50 | 1.75 | 2.00 |
|---|
For repeated courses, only the most recent grade earned is used. If you meet the percent completion requirement for SAP, but do not meet the GPA requirement, you will automatically be given a semester of probation. During the probation semester, you must meet all minimum SAP requirements in order to stay eligible for federal aid. If minimum requirements are met, probation will be continued until your cumulative GPA is 2.0.
Maximum Time Frame
| Degree | Maximum Number of Attempted hours |
|---|
| Certificate | 45 |
| Practical Nursing | 87 |
| 1st Associate | 98 |
| 2nd Associate | 138 |
| 1st Bachelor | 180 |
| 2nd Bachelor | 210 |
If you completed a certificate program, and move into an associate's or bachelor's program, the hours completed for the certificate will be applied toward the total allowed for the higher degree. All acceptable hours appearing on transcripts from prior institutions will be applied in the attempted hours calculation.
You may request an extension of allowed hours based on a change of major. You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, your completion rate is at least 67% for the most recent year attended and overall, you have not changed majors more than once if pursuing a certificate or associate's degree, and/or you have not changed majors more than twice if pursuing a bachelor's degree.
Academic Progress Appeal For Financial Aid
You may appeal financial aid suspension if you do not meet the percentage completion and/or GPA requirements.
Your appeal should be submitted using the
Academic Progress Appeal form, which is available at the Financial Aid Office or online. The appeal should contain an explanation of your poor academic performance. This will give you an opportunity to report any extenuating circumstances that may have affected your ability to succeed. You should address each term that your performance was below minimum requirements. You may attach documents you feel might help your case at the time of appeal. Your appeal should also contain an explanation of steps you have taken to ensure that your academic progress will be acceptable if your appeal is approved.
If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on financial aid probation. You may receive federal grant funds for the semester during which the appeal was approved, if otherwise eligible.
If your appeal is not approved, you must complete the equivalent of one full semester before submitting another appeal.
You will be notified in writing of the determination of the Appeal Committee within two weeks of the date on which you submit the appeal to the Financial Aid Office.
In order to view PDF files, you must download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader.
About Us
5210 Grand Ave. • P.O. Box 3649