If you are receiving federal financial aid, you need to be aware of the following responsibilities and rights, as well as John Tyler Community College’s guidelines for Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students' Responsibilities and Rights

The following items are your responsibility:

• Completing applications and promissory notes and submitting them on time to the appropriate place.
• Providing accurate information. In most instances, misrepresenting information on financial aid application forms is a violation of law and may be considered a criminal offense which could result in indictment under the U.S. Criminal Codes.
• Returning all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which the application was submitted.
• Reading and keeping copies of all forms signed
• Notifying the Financial Aid Office of the following information:
  • changes in name
  • changes in factors used to determine eligibility including residency, housing plans, marital status, number of dependents, undergraduate/graduate/professional classification and major
  • other sources of financial aid received during the period covered by the award letter
  • withdrawal from the college after a semester is in session
• Complying with the financial aid program application deadlines. Each successive year of enrollment requires a renewal application for financial aid.
• Notifying the Admissions and Records Office of any change in address
• Checking your John Tyler Community College (VCCS) email and myTyler student accounts regularly for the most up-to-date financial aid notifications.

You have the right to know the following:

• What financial aid programs are available
• The deadlines for submitting application for each financial aid program available
• How financial aid will be distributed
• How financial aid eligibility was determined - this includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, personal and miscellaneous expenses are considered in establishing the cost of education
• Which resources (such as parent contribution, other financial aid, personal assets, etc.) were considered in the calculation of need
• How much of your financial eligibility, as determined by the institution, has been met
• The college's refund policy
• What portion of your financial aid received must be repaid and what portion is grant aid - if the aid is a loan, you have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the repayment procedures, the length of time allowed to repay the loan, and when repayment begins
• How the college determines Satisfactory Academic Progress and the consequences to financial aid when not making reasonable academic progress an explanation of the various programs in the student aid package

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal financial aid regulations require that all recipients to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in their program of study. To be eligible to receive financial aid at John Tyler, you must make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward achieving a certificate or degree at the College. Progress is measured in three ways:

• your cumulative grade point average,
• the number of credits you earn in relation to those you attempt, and
• the length of your academic program.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid applicants is evaluated when you apply for financial aid and at the end of each term you are enrolled. Federal guidelines require that the College consider all classes you are in enrolled in and all applicable transfer credits, whether or not aid was awarded or received for those credits. If your eligibility for financial aid is suspended for lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress and extenuating circumstances exist, you may appeal the decision using a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form.

The specific criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress at John Tyler are as follows:

• Completion Rate (67% Rule): Students must earn at least 67% of the credit hours they attempt. This calculation is performed by dividing the number of credit hours earned by the number of credit hours attempted. All courses attempted at John Tyler are included, and this evaluation begins when a student has attempted credits that total 50% or more of their program requirements or 24 credit hours (whichever comes first). Satisfactory grades are A, B, C, D, P, R, and S. Unsatisfactory grades are F, I, U, W, and X.
• Grade Point Average (GPA Rule): Students must earn at least the minimum cumulative grade point average, as shown below, once they have attempted a specified number of credit hours.

Credit Hours Attempted	Minimum Required GPA
13 - 23 credit hours	1.50
24 - 29 credit hours	1.75
30 or more credit hours	2.00

• Maximum Time (150% Rule): Students must complete their degree or certificate after they have attempted 150% of their program requirements. Students who have attempted a number of credits that total 150% or more of their program requirements have not made Satisfactory Academic Progress.  All enrollment periods at John Tyler and all applicable transfer credits are counted toward this calculation, even semesters when aid was not received.  However, developmental courses are not included in this calculation.  Failure of this rule is permanent and cannot be corrected unless you complete your degree or certificate program at your own expense and then begin a new program . At this time, only the credits from the previous program that are applicable to the new program would be considered in the Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation for the 150% Rule.

Please remember:

• If you withdraw from courses, you run the risk of losing your financial aid eligibility. Withdraws are the primary reason that John Tyler students fail to make Satisfactory Academic Progress and lose their financial aid eligibility.

• If your eligibility for financial aid has been suspended for lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress, you may appeal the action.  The appeal will normally be granted if, in the judgment of the Financial Aid Office, you can correct the deficiency within one to two semesters and you have provided evidence of an unusual circumstance, such as a death in the family or a personal illness, which has affected your studies.

  To initiate an appeal, you must complete the John Tyler Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form, which is available in the Financial Aid Office, and submit it with the necessary supporting documentation. The appeal must be received by the Financial Aid Office no later than 15 days after the date on the letter of notification that you have not made Satisfactory Academic Progress. You will be notified in writing of the results of the appeal within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. You can only apply for an appeal once, and if approved, the appeal is only valid for one semester.

• If you lose your eligibility for financial aid due to lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress and do not qualify for an appeal, you can regain your eligibility if you are able to correct your deficiency. This can be accomplished by taking courses at John Tyler with your own funds. It is important to realize that failure of the 150% Rule is permanent and cannot be corrected unless you complete your degree or certificate program and begin a new program. At that time, only the credits from the previous program that are applicable to the new program would be considered in the Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation for the 150% Rule.

  The purpose of the above information is to assist you in making informed decisions regarding your academic career at John Tyler.  If you have any questions about the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, please contact the Financial Aid Office.