Academic Requirements

Both the U.S. Department of Education and the State of New York require that students receiving financial aid demonstrate continuing academic success in college in order to continue receiving financial aid. This concept is called "satisfactory academic progress" toward a degree. The standards below are the official policies in effect at Herkimer County Community College.

State Financial Aid Programs

SUNY has university-wide standards for the award of assistance under the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). To be eligible for NYS assistance under these standards, students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours for each semester in which they receive assistance, and must meet the academic progress standards shown below.

In addition, TAP recipients must demonstrate "program pursuit" by completing a percentage of the minimum full-time course load each semester, according to the following schedule.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Determining Eligibility for NYS Financial Aid

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Federal Financial Aid Programs

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Determining Continuing Eligibility for Federal Title IV Financial Aid

(if students do not meet the GPA or credits earned requirements, they will be placed in the appropriate level of academic standing)

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*A student will be placed on academic probation the first semester in which his/her academic progress meets the established criteria for probation and dismissal.

Timing of Evaluations and Evaluation Process

The standard measures academic progress at the end of each semester in which Title IV aid is awarded to students, not including winter mini-semester. Evaluation of progress will occur shortly after final grades have been posted by the Registrar and notices will be sent out promptly.

What are the Title IV Financial Aid Programs?

Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, ACG and Federal Work-Study

What is the difference between "attempted" and "earned" credit hours?

• Attempted credits include all course work included in the student's academic history at Herkimer County Community College, except for transfer and advanced placement credits.
• Earned credits include all attempted (non-remedial) courses for which a passing grade has been received (D- or higher). Grades listed as "Incomplete" at the time of evaluation will be considered attempted and unearned, but will not affect the grade point average.

Financial Aid Appeal Process

A determination of ineligibility may be appealed based on extenuating circumstances. An extenuating circumstance is defined as an exceptional or unusual event or events beyond the student's control, which contributed to or caused the academic difficulty. Appeal forms should be addressed to the Director of Financial Aid, and should include a complete description of the events that led to the academic difficulty.