Federal regulations require that all students who receive any federal or state financial assistance make measurable academic progress toward a degree at Bellarmine University. Progress is determined quantitatively and qualitatively. Progress is monitored at the conclusion of the spring and summer semesters.
Enrollment: A minimum standard for full-time enrollment at the graduate level is 6 credit hours per semester. A minimum standard for part-time enrollment (at least half-time) at the graduate level is 3 credit hours per semester. Part-time enrollment (at least half-time) at the graduate level requires a student to be taking at least half of the course load of a full-time student. The definition of full-time used for student financial aid purposes can differ from the definition used for other purposes at the institution, such as the definition used by the Office of the Registrar.
Quantitative: Graduate students, based on at least half-time enrollment, will be required to earn 3 credit hours per semester, or a total of 6 credit hours for the academic year. A maximum of four and one-half (4.5) academic years will be permitted for the completion of a graduate degree, or a total of 54 credit hours attempted. If a student enrolls for an excessive number of repeated or unrelated courses, he/she will not be making satisfactory academic progress. Classes for which students receive grades of “AU” (audit), “F” (failing), or “W” (withdraw) are not counted as earned hours, but are counted as attempted hours. “I” (incomplete) and “NR” (not reported) grades will not be considered as hours earned for a semester until a grade is received. Transfer hours accepted at Bellarmine are considered in calculating the total number of hours attempted.
Qualitative: Graduate students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or better.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Students: Graduate Physical Therapy students, based on their program curriculum, will be required to earn 12 credit hours per semester, or a total of 24 credit hours for the academic year. A maximum of six and one-half (6.5) academic years will be permitted for the completion of a doctorate degree, or a total of 156 credit hours attempted.
Appeal: If a recipient becomes ineligible to receive financial assistance, reinstatement of federal or state aid will occur either when the student successfully meets the above requirements following a subsequent semester of enrollment, or when the Committee for Financial Aid Appeals approves the continuation of assistance through a student’s written appeal. The Committee for Financial Aid Appeals shall consist of at least one representative from the Office of Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, faculty, and student body.
