Statement of Standards for Full-time Undergraduate Students
All students receiving financial aid from Federal, State and/or Rider University sources must be making satisfactory academic progress at Rider to establish and retain eligibility for student financial aid. Enrolled students applying for financial aid for the first time must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress prior to applying for financial aid and must continue to meet satisfactory academic progress standards.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
All coursework will count towards attempted credits, except those officially dropped during the add/drop period. There is a maximum of 180 attempted credits for Lawrenceville degree programs, and generally 186 attempted credits for degree programs at Westminster Choir College*. This includes transferable and non-transferable credits from all schools attended. Full-time undergraduate students are to enroll in a minimum of twelve semester hours toward graduation requirements each semester they attend Rider. However, undergraduate students may only receive Rider funds for ten semesters. Since an undergraduate is normally expected to complete undergraduate study in eight semesters, there are limitations to the types of financial aid available during a student’s ninth and tenth semesters. Appropriate consideration will be provided to students who are required by Rider University to enroll in non-credit developmental courses during their study at Rider.
*Depending on program, some Westminster Choir College students may be held to a different maximum number of attempted credits. If in doubt, check with your financial aid counselor.
Minimum Standards and Process for Appeal
Students are expected to complete at least 67 percent of all coursework attempted. The following table indicates the minimum number of credits a full-time student must attempt and successfully complete each semester:
Semester | Credits Attempted | Minimum Credits Completed |
---|---|---|
1 | 12 | 8 |
2 | 24 | 16 |
3 | 36 | 24 |
4 | 48 | 32 |
5 | 60 | 40 |
6 | 72 | 48 |
7 | 84 | 56 |
8 | 96 | 64 |
9 | 108 | 72 |
10 | 120 | 80 |
11 | 132 | 88 |
12 | 144 | 96 |
13 | 156 | 104 |
14 | 168 | 112 |
15 | 180 | 120 |
Consistent with graduation requirements at Rider University, a student is expected to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average each year while receiving financial aid, except during the student’s first year of attendance.
Students who fail to meet these policy standards will have their financial aid eligibility terminated, or may appeal to be placed on financial aid probation. To appeal, students must submit an Agreement to Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid to the Office of Financial Aid within two weeks of receiving notice of unsatisfactory academic progress or aid termination. This agreement must outline how the student will meet all of the requirements for satisfactory academic progress by the end of the next period of study, subject to approval by the student’s financial aid counselor. The next period of study may include a summer session(s). If an academic agreement is denied, a student may appeal the decision by writing to a Senior Assistant Director, who will review the appeal and may consult with the Director of Financial Aid and other appropriate campus administrators. The Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid will send written notification of the result of the appeal to the student.
Students whose appeals are granted will have their financial aid eligibility reinstated for a probationary period of one semester. Awarding financial aid for additional semesters will be based on satisfactory completion of the stated conditions or meeting the minimum standards of this policy as well as funds available at that time.
Evaluation of one or more of the following conditions may result in reinstatement of financial aid:
- An error was made when determining academic progress.
- Late grade changes or course corrections were submitted.
- Exceptional medical or personal circumstances.
- Student has satisfied the condition leading to aid termination.
- Successful completion of a specified number of summer courses that fulfills the guidelines of an academic agreement.
- Other extenuating circumstances.
Academic suspension or dismissal by a College of the University will result in automatic termination of financial aid.
Federal regulations specify that the maximum time frame during which a student is expected to finish an undergraduate program and receive Title IV funds may not exceed 150 percent of the published length of the program.
Statement of Standards for Part-time Students
Students enrolled less than full-time will be required to meet the same minimum cumulative grade point averages as students enrolled full-time, and must complete at least 67 percent of the coursework attempted.
Appropriate consideration will be given to students required by Rider University to enroll in non-credit developmental courses, provided these courses are completed during the first two years in the case of a half-time student, and during the first one and one-half years in the case of a three-quarter time student.
Statement of Standards for Graduate Students
Graduate students will be expected to complete 67 percent of the coursework attempted and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 to remain eligible for any form of student financial aid.
Withdrawals / Incompletes / Repeated Courses
If a student withdraws from courses during a given term, withdrawn credits count toward courses attempted. The only exception to this policy is when a student is on an approved medical or military leave of absence.
An incomplete course is treated as a failed course. A repeated course is only counted toward progression if the repeated course is replacing a previously failed course.