Policies

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students attending OSU Institute of Technology are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to remain eligible for financial assistance. Satisfactory academic progress means that students must complete a minimum number of credit hours each semester and maintain a minimum grade point average as outlined below:

Total Hrs Attempted From ALL Institutions	1 - 30 Credit Hours	31 or more Credit Hours
Minimum Graduation/Retention GPA	1.7	2.0
Percentage of Total Cumulative Hours Attempted	75%	75%

Students who fail to meet either of these requirements will be placed on financial aid probation during their next semester of enrollment. During periods of financial aid probation, students are still eligible for financial assistance. However, during the semester of probation, the student must successfully complete at least 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted or 75% of the hours attempted that semester. A student will remain on probation until the standards outlined above are reached. A student who fails to meet the minimum semester standards while on probation will be suspended at the end of the probationary term.

Satisfactory academic progress is monitored at the end of each semester. Students are responsible for knowing their eligibility status at the end of each semester. A student who is denied assistance based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy can submit a written appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services or may be reinstated on a probationary basis by meeting both of the criteria outlined above.

Duration of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student may receive financial assistance for an approved certificate or degree program for no longer than the maximum of 150% of the required credit hours, or a maximum of 150% of the approved terms required for completion of that program, whichever is completed first. Should the maximum number of hours allowed for a degree be exceeded, a student with extenuating circumstances may appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services to obtain permission to exceed the maximum hours limit.

Students are eligible to obtain three degrees at OSU Institute of Technology with financial aid eligibility. A student's financial aid eligibility will terminate after the third degree is received.

Undeclared, Degree Seeking Students

In order to allow students to explore their options and still receive a degree within the maximum time frame of 150% of the credit hours required to obtain a degree, a student may receive financial aid for a maximum of three semesters in an undeclared, degree-seeking status. Academic counseling is available to assist the student with declaring an appropriate major within that timeframe.

Withdrawing from Classes or Ceasing Attendance

In accordance with 34CFR Sec.668.22, any student at OSU Institute of Technology who completely withdraws from all classes or ceases attendance will be subject to the Return of Title IV funds policy to determine if the student remained enrolled or attended beyond 60% of the semester. Federal regulations require a student to remain enrolled or attend classes beyond 60% of the semester to earn 100% of their financial aid.

Ability to Benefit

To receive financial aid, students must either be a high school graduate or GED recipient. Students who have not graduated from high school, or have not received a GED can receive financial aid if "ability to benefit" from attending OSU Institute of Technology is demonstrated. To demonstrate "ability to benefit" students must take the Compass Assessment test coordinated through the OSU Institute of Technology Admissions and Records Office. Students taking the Compass test for ability to benefit purposes are limited to two testing attempts. Students must achieve the following minimum scores on each section of the Compass test to demonstrate "ability to benefit":

Reading Comprehension	Writing Skills	Arithmetic
62	32	25