Satisfactory Academic Progress
To receive financial aid you must be admitted to, enrolled in and attending classes in an eligible program at Humboldt.
When you accept financial aid you also accept the responsibility to make satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress is defined at Humboldt as the progress of a financial aid recipient in acceptable studies or other activities to fulfill a specified educational objective within a specific time frame, as defined by the institution. Requirements are stated in the Humboldt catalog, under Academic Regulations. Certificate candidates should verify eligibility with the Financial Aid Office.
Quality – Grades ↑
The standards are stated in the Academic Probation and Disqualification sections of the Humboldt catalog, under Academic Regulations. For purposes of determining a student's eligibility to remain in attendance at the university and to receive financial aid, overall quality of performance (as measured by total grade points and cumulative grade point average) is considered. To continue financial aid eligibility a student must maintain a grade point average of at least a "C" (2.0) or academic standing consistent with Humboldt graduation requirements.
Humboldt is taking steps to intervene with students who are apparently having academic difficulty. If you are a financial aid recipient who fails to complete the entire unit obligation, or if your grade point average falls to a certain level, the financial aid check may be withheld. You may be required to obtain an assessment from the Learning Center and may be required to meet with Academic Support staff. You may be required to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor. These requirements are being put into place to ensure satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. You will be notified of any specific requirements.
Quantity – Units ↑
When undergraduate students have attempted 180 or more semester units (graduates 50 or more semester units past their first degree), he or she is not eligible for most aid unless mitigating circumstances exist. These "caps" include time on aid as well as not on aid, including transferable units for students who attended college elsewhere.
This generally equates to a time frame of six academic years for a baccalaureate degree and two academic years for a graduate degree or credential. Generally, students are not eligible for financial aid once they have completed the course work requirements for their objective. If mitigating circumstances regarding this maximum allowable time frame exist, a Unit Cap Extension may be requested.
If you will transfer to, or have attended, Humboldt and earned more than 128 units, you may not be eligible for most financial aid programs. You should contact the Financial Aid Office if there are questions about the impact of transfer units.
The primary measure of satisfactory academic progress for aid recipients is the minimum number of units per academic year an aid recipient must complete with passing grades (passing grades are A, B, C, D, and CR). Generally, these minimum numbers are 24 or more units (full-time student), 18-23 units (3/4-time student), or 12-17 units (half-time student). Full time enrollment for a graduate student enrolled in a Master's Program is nine (9) units; half time enrollment is five (5) units. Students wishing for aid consideration at less than full time should contact the Financial Aid Office. Failure to complete the required units may result in a hold on the next term's aid.
Summer Aid Recipients: Satisfactory academic progress is dependent upon the type and amount of aid received and enrollment level at time of disbursement. If you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Loss of Eligibility ↑
If you fail to meet the satisfactory academic progress standards, your eligibility to receive aid will end, or you will be placed on financial aid probation, depending on the severity of the deficiencies.
Generally, students must complete 83% of the required number of units to meet progress standards. Those completing 50% to 82% of required units will be placed on financial aid probation for the next award year; probation is resolved if the student meets the 83% standard during the probationary award year. Completion of less than 50% of the required number of units, or not meeting the 83% standard in a probationary award year, will result in loss of eligibility.
To regain lost eligibility, a student must complete one term of at least 6 units at any accredited institution without benefit of aid. See a financial aid counselor for specifics.
Mitigating Circumstances ↑
Exceptions to satisfactory academic progress standards are granted on a case-by-case basis when mitigating circumstances warrant special consideration; however, due to lack of funds, many programs generally cannot be reinstated after cancellation. For specific information on reestablishing eligibility for financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office.
You may make an appointment to see a counselor to discuss your situation and to receive more detailed information on the appeals process. Any office decision may be appealed to the staff member who made the decision. If you feel that you will not complete the unit obligation, contact the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.
Concurrent Enrollment ↑
College of the Redwoods courses that are transferable for credit to Humboldt, or required prerequisites for Humboldt courses, can be applied to your satisfactory academic progress standards as long as you are enrolled in at least 6 regular Humboldt units. Please discuss requirements and procedure with a Financial Aid Counselor.
If you are enrolled in courses at Humboldt and receive aid, you are ineligible for financial aid at College of the Redwoods, or any other post secondary institution. Course withdrawal has no affect on financial aid eligibility unless such withdrawal drops you below the satisfactory academic progress requirement, in which case a deficiency occurs.
Withdrawal from the University causes unit deficiencies unless mitigating circumstances are approved. Incomplete courses ("I" grades) are not considered as units completed. Course repetitions do not apply toward satisfactory academic progress requirements unless University approved. Noncredit remedial courses are not included in the quantitative unit totals. More information about the Remediation policy is available in the Schedule of Classes.
Graduate Enrollment ↑
Full time enrollment for a graduate student enrolled in a Master's Program is nine (9) units; half time enrollment is five (5) units.
WARNING: Only the maximum number of thesis/project units allowed towards completion requirements for a Master's Degree will be counted towards satisfactory academic progress.
The acceptance of a full financial aid package may reduce a graduate student's receipt of CalWorks/TANF grant assistance from Humboldt County Social Services. We recommend contacting the agency caseworker prior to accepting financial aid funds if the student is enrolled in a graduate program.
Note About Aid Cancellation: Due to lack of funds, many programs generally cannot be reinstated after cancellation.