Grand Valley State University is changing the way it responds to students who fail to comply with eligibility standards for federal financial aid.

This summer, the federal government altered the terms and conditions of financial aid in the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, which outlines the academic standards for students to remain eligible for financial aid, as well as the consequences for failing to meet the standards.

Michelle Rhodes, director of the Office of Financial Aid, said the academic requirements have not changed, but the process for regaining eligibility has. Previously, students who were not scholastically eligible only had to submit an appeal to explain why they could not meet the requirements. If the appeal was approved, the student would remain on indefinite probation and continue to receive aid if they met specific standards per semester.

“The regulatory changes now specify that students must provide an academic plan along with their appeal to ensure that students are aware and able to be successful in regaining and maintaining SAP standards rather than continue on probation indefinitely,” Rhodes said.

She added that officials in the Financial Aid Office are still working on a plan for communicating the change to students reliant on federal aid, but they will give probationary students time to submit their required documents to remain eligible.

Currently, the scholastic requirements for receiving aid include maintaining a certain GPA and completing and passing at least two-thirds of all attempted credits, both at GVSU and at previous institutions.

Students must also “complete all degree requirements within 150 percent of the minimum number of credit hours required to graduate,” according to the guidelines listed on the Financial Aid website.

Those who meet the requirements will notice no change in the policy.

More information on the SAP changes will be provided at a later date.

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