SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS STANDARDS FOR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
for Graduate Students 

Institutions participating in Title IV Federal aid programs are required by the United States Department of Education to establish institutional policies which define and measure the quantitative and qualitative progress of eligible students.
Each student who receives Federal financial aid at Coastal Carolina University is required to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of his/her program of study.

Coastal Carolina University's Graduate Studies Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy:

1. A graduate student must be admitted and enrolled as a degree-seeking student.
2. A graduate student must meet the University's standards for continued enrollment, which means being enrolled each major semester (fall and spring).
3. A graduate student must achieve or maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
4. A graduate student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of sixty-seven percent (67%) of the courses that he/she attempts. Please note that courses dropped from a student's schedule after the published drop/add period are included in the completion percentage.
5. A graduate student must complete requirements for a single master's degree within six (6) years of beginning the program.

If mitigating circumstances were a factor in the student's unsatisfactory academic performance, a separate appeal process is required for Federal financial aid consideration.

Transfer students unconditionally admitted to the University will be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress for Federal financial aid at the time of enrollment. Students with excessive transfer credits are encouraged to see a Financial Aid Counselor in reference to their maximum timeframe of eligibility for Federal financial aid.

If a student's ability to meet the University's standards of satisfactory academic progress was affected by mitigating circumstances, he/she may appeal the denial of Federal financial assistance with Financial Aid and Scholarships. Examples of mitigating circumstances include but are not limited to: mental or physical illness, death of a loved one, and divorce or separation. Written documentation, in addition to that required by the established appeal process, is required to validate the mitigating circumstance(s).

Effective August 2009, a student's unsatisfactory academic progress standing does not affect his/her ability to seek or receive private financial assistance to attend the institution. A student who does not have mitigating circumstances to warrant an appeal for Federal aid is encouraged to explore alternative or private funding to continue his/her enrollment. Please see a
Financial Aid Counselor if you need assistance with obtaining private funding.