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 undergraduate level is 12 credit hours per semester. A minimum standard for part-time enrollment (at least half-time) at the undergraduate level is 6 credit hours per semester.
Quantitative: Undergraduate students attending full-time will be required to earn a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Undergraduate students attending part-time will be required to earn a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester. Undergraduate students who only receive student loans will be required to earn a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester. A maximum of six (6) academic years will be permitted for the completion of a baccalaureate degree, or a total of 144 credit hours attempted. A maximum of three (3) additional academic years at Bellarmine will be permitted for the completion of an accelerated baccalaureate degree, or a total of 216 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: Undergraduate students who have earned 60 credit hours or greater will be required to have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 or better.
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.
