Financial Aid

Standards of Progress

The Educational Amendments of 1976 provide that financial aid payments through Title IV federal programs must not be made if a student is not making satisfactory academic progress in the declared program of study. At Darton College the definition of satisfactory academic progress has three (3) components as defined below:

1. Qualitative Standards of Progress – To remain in good standing, the financial aid recipient is expected to maintain the same grade point average as any other student enrolled. This standing takes into account the number of hours attempted and is computed as follows. Students falling below these minimums will be placed on academic and financial aid suspension. Students who are placed on financial aid suspension for failure to meet one of the conditions stated below will be ineligible for financial aid until they have paid for and passed the same number of hours that they were originally registered for during that semester. If student was enrolled in more that 12 hours student will only have to complete and pass 12 semester hours.

2. Quantitative Standards of Progress – In addition to maintaining the qualitative requirements defined above, the financial aid recipient must complete satisfactorily a portion of the work taken each semester in order to remain eligible for financial aid. The table shown below defines the hours to be completed satisfactorily based on hours carried:

Satisfactory completion is defined as a grade of “D” or better except in those courses where a “D” grade must be repeated (EH 101, EH 102, nursing courses, etc.). A grade of “IP” in Developmental Studies shall be considered satisfactory although a student may receive assistance for no more than four attempts in any remedial area. Grades of “F”, “WF”, or “W” shall be considered unsatisfactory.

A student who fails to satisfactorily complete the required number of hours in a given semester will be ineligible for continued aid until such time as the equivalent of the same number of hours has been satisfactorily completed. Students in this category may appeal their financial aid suspension if there are extenuating circumstances. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review students on a case–by-case basis; where there is substantial justification, the Committee may recommend reinstatement of financial aid.

3. Maximum Length of Time for Assistance – Based on #2 above a student who enrolls full time would be eligible for a maximum of six (6) semesters of assistance in most programs. One additional semester would be allowed in certain career programs which are five (5) semesters in length. A student enrolled half-time would be eligible for a maximum of twelve (12) semesters. Since enrollment patterns vary from semester to semester, students will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid / Right of Appeal – It shall be the student’s responsibility to petition the Financial Aid Office for reinstatement of financial aid prior to the beginning of the semester in which aid is requested. A student whose aid has been terminated for one of the reasons stated above shall have the right to appeal the suspension to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee which meets at the beginning of each semester. Student must complete the financial aid appeals form and provide copies of all documentation.

Change of Major - A student who changes major will be under the time limitation as described in #3 above. All previously earned credit, which is applicable, will be applied to the new major.

Determination of Award Amounts – In determining a student’s eligibility for aid and the category of aid (full-time three-quarter, half-time) only those courses required for graduation or remediation shall be considered. Repeated courses will not be counted if the original grade was satisfactory. This in no way prohibits a student from taking other courses of his/her choosing but simply means such courses cannot be used in computing the student’s course load for financial aid purposes and the student must contact the office so that adjustments to financial aid can be made. The student wishing to be full-time for aid purposes would be well advised to register for a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of work required by the major.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

Withdrawal - To withdraw from all courses, that is, resign from college, students must report either to their faculty academic advisor, their major division chairperson, or the Registrar’s Office and process a withdrawal request. One part of the process is an exit interview with the faculty advisor or the major division chairperson. If circumstances make it impossible for students to present themselves on the campus, a written request to withdraw will suffice. Students who fail to withdraw officially will receive the grade of “F” in all courses for which they are registered.

Late Withdrawal/Drop – The WF Penalty – Students who drop a course or withdraw from the College after the date published in the Catalog as the last day to drop a course or withdraw form the College without penalty will receive a grade of “WF” for all courses involved. The only exceptions are in cases of hardship as determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or his designated representative. Verification of hardship will be required.

REFUND POLICY

Any student receiving Federal Title IV funds and/or Georgia HOPE funds will be subject to the following policy regarding return of financial aid funds:

Darton College and the student are required to return to the federal and state aid programs the amount of aid a student received that was in excess of the aid “earned” for the time period the student remained enrolled. The percentage of the semester completed is the percentage of aid earned: This is calculated by the number of days the student attended divided by the number of days in the payment period (i.e., semester). For example, if a student withdrew on the 20th day of a semester 114 days in length, the student would have earned only 17.5% of the aid he/she received (20/114 = 0.175).

Students who remain enrolled through at least 60% of the payment period (semester) are considered to have earned 100% of the aid received and will not owe a repayment of aid funds. Remember, after 50% of the semester (mid-term), you are still penalized academically for withdrawing. Written notification of repayment obligation will be sent to students. Payment must be submitted to Darton College within 45 days from the date notification is sent to the student. If the student’s obligation remains unpaid after 45 days, all aid eligibility is suspended and overpayment information is reported to the U. S. Department of Education and/or the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

Students that receive a federal or state refund for classes, which they registered for but did not attend, should contact our office immediately. Failure to do so will result in the student receiving “F’s” in all courses registered for AND being placed on financial aid suspension.