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Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines for Delaware Law Graduate Students
To receive and remain eligible for Federal Title IV and institutional financial aid, students must progress toward the completion of their program of study at a rate that will ensure graduation in a reasonable length of time. Widener University Delaware Law School has established a policy that measures academic progress both quantitatively (credit hours) and qualitatively (grades) at the end of each academic year for all programs two years or more in length. Students enrolled in the LLM and LGC programs will be reviewed at the end of each semester.
Students must meet the following minimum academic progress standards to receive Federal Perkins, Federal Direct Loans and Delaware Law Institutional funds. Satisfactory academic progress is measured at the end of each academic year for students in the JD and MJ degrees. The academic year consists of summer, fall and spring. Therefore, the FAO will review satisfactory academic progress after spring grades have been received and verified by the Registrar’s Office.
Students in the LLM and LGC programs must be reviewed at the end of each semester. After each semester’s grade review, LLM and/or LGC students who are not meeting progress standards for the first time will receive a financial aid warning via e-mail. This warning is an informational warning and will not remove eligibility for financial aid for the following semester.
Students who do not meet the minimum standards will be contacted by e-mail using their Delaware Law email address. Notification will outline student options to re-establish eligibility, such as attending subsequent classes or submitting an appeal for a waiver by a specified date.
Quantitative Measurement
Law Graduate students must successfully complete a minimum of 60 percent of the total credits attempted while enrolled at Widener University School of Law. Successful completion is based on the percentage of the total (cumulative) credit hours attempted compared to the total credit hours completed. Earned credits for a course cannot be counted more than once. Grades of “I” (incomplete), “W” (withdrawal), “F” (failure), “NP” (no pass), and “Z” (no grade submitted) count as credits attempted but do not count as credits completed. Transfer credits must be treated as both attempted and completed credits for purposes of measuring academic progress.
Qualitative Measurement
Graduate students enrolled in the JD, LLM or MJ programs must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a 2.00.
Maximum Time Frame Requirements
The maximum time frame to complete the credits required for graduation is measured from the date of matriculation. JD student must complete their degree requirements within 84 months of matriculation. Matriculation shall mean the date on which a student first begins legal studies at ay law school accredited by the ABA, not including a Trial Admission Program. LLM students have 60 months to complete and MJ students must complete within 60 months of matriculation.
Dismissal/Suspension
Academically dismissed or suspended students are ineligible for financial aid while suspended and must request reinstatement (or formal appeal) of aid upon readmission to regain financial aid eligibility for subsequent semesters. Academic readmission does not automatically grant reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.
Reinstatement
Reinstatement of financial aid eligibility is possible once the student has earned 60 percent of total credits attempted and has achieved the required grade point average, either at the student’s own expense or by completing unfinished class assignments, except when aggregate hours (total hours attempted) are the cause of ineligibility. To request reinstatement of financial aid, submit a written request to the Financial Aid Office.
Appeals
A student may appeal for a waiver from the progress rules and regulations based on such extenuating circumstances as the death of a close relative, serious personal illness or injury, a change of educational objective or other extenuating circumstances. The student must be able to demonstrate that the extenuating circumstance had a direct impact on the student’s academic performance. Students should submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office. Appeals should be accompanied by an academic plan developed with input from the student’s academic advisor or dean. If the appeal of progress is approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation.
Appeals for maximum time frame (excessive aggregate hours) to complete a degree must address, at a minimum, any degree program changes and include a degree completion plan from the Dean, Vice Dean or Dean of Students of the School of Law.
State Grant Aid
Aid from state grants is mandated by their rules and regulations. Appeals for continued aid eligibility to Widener University do not cover continued eligibility for state grants. Appeal must be made to the State Grant Agency providing you with assistance. State grant agencies send their progress policies to you with your notification of eligibility.
Re-Entry Student
Prior academic performance will be considered when determining satisfactory academic progress for aid eligibility. However, if there are special circumstances, a re-entry student may submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office.
Legal Education Institute Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines
To receive and remain eligible for Federal Title IV and institutional financial aid, students must progress toward the completion of their program of study at a rate that will ensure graduation in a reasonable length of time. Widener University Delaware Law School has established a policy that measures academic progress both quantitatively (credit hours) and qualitatively (grades) at the end of each academic year.
Students must meet the following minimum academic progress standards to receive Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Perkins, Federal Direct Loans and Delaware Law Institutional funds. Satisfactory academic progress is measured at the end of each academic year. The academic year consists of summer, fall and spring. Therefore, the FAO will review satisfactory academic progress after spring grades have been received and verified by the Registrar’s Office. Students who do not meet the minimum standards will be contacted by e-mail using their Widener email address. Notification will outline student options to re-establish eligibility, such as attending subsequent classes or submitting an appeal for a waiver by a specified date.
Quantitative Measurement
Undergraduate students must successfully complete a minimum of 67 percent of the total credits attempted while enrolled at Widener University. Successful completion is based on the percentage of the total (cumulative) credit hours attempted compared to the total credit hours completed. Earned credits for a course cannot be counted more than once. Grades of “I” (incomplete), “W” (withdrawal), “F” (failure), “NP” (no pass), and “Z” (no grade submitted) count as credits attempted but do not count as credits completed.
Qualitative Measurement
Undergraduate students must achieve the following minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA):
Credit Hours Completed Minimum GPA
15.5 or fewer completed credits 1.70 GPA
16 – 30.5 completed credits 1.80 GPA
31 – 60.5 completed credits 1.90 GPA
61 or more completed credits 2.00 GPA
A school or college within Widener University may have a higher GPA standard for graduation. Please check the LEI Student Handbook for academic standards information.
Maximum Time Frame Requirements
The maximum time frame to complete the credits required for graduation is measured in credit hours attempted. The maximum time frame may not exceed 150 percent of the published length of the academic program. The maximum time frame for a transfer student may not exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program minus the number of transfer credits accepted for transfer at the point of matriculation.
Dismissal/Suspension
Academically dismissed or suspended students are ineligible for financial aid while suspended and must request reinstatement (or formal appeal) of aid upon readmission to regain financial aid eligibility for subsequent semesters. Academic readmission does not automatically grant reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.
Reinstatement
Reinstatement of financial aid eligibility is possible once the student has earned 67 percent of total credits attempted and has achieved the required grade point average, either at the student’s own expense or by completing unfinished class assignments, except when aggregate hours (total hours attempted) are the cause of ineligibility. To request reinstatement of financial aid, submit a written request to the Financial Aid Office.
Appeals
A student may appeal for a waiver from the progress rules and regulations based on such extenuating circumstances as the death of a close relative, serious personal illness or injury, a change of educational objective or other extenuating circumstances. The student must be able to demonstrate that the extenuating circumstance had a direct impact on the student’s academic performance. Students should submit a written request to the Financial Aid Office. Appeals should be accompanied by an academic plan developed with input from the student’s academic advisor or dean. If the appeal of progress is approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation
Appeals for maximum time frame (excessive aggregate hours) to complete a degree must address, at a minimum, any degree program changes and include a degree completion plan from the Dean of the Legal Education Institute.
State Grant Aid
Aid from state grants is mandated by their rules and regulations. Appeals for continued aid eligibility to Widener University do not cover continued eligibility for state grants. Appeal must be made to the State Grant Agency providing you with assistance. State grant agencies send their progress policies to you with your notification of eligibility.
Re-Entry Student: Prior academic performance will be considered when determining satisfactory academic progress for aid eligibility. However, if there are special circumstances, a re-entry student may submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office.
Description of terms used:
Financial Aid Warning - Assigned to a student who fails progress after one payment period. Financial aid eligibility is not affected in a warning semester.
Financial Aid Appeal - Process by which a student who does not meet an institution’s SAP petitions for reconsideration of eligibility for Title IV and institutional aid.
Financial Aid Probation - Assigned to a student who has failed progress but has appealed and has their eligibility reinstated.
Academic Plan - Conditions imposed by the institution which must be met to maintain eligibility while on probation.