Financial Aid and Academic Classification — SGCS

The undergraduate academic year is defined here as a measure of the academic work to be accomplished by the student. Federal law and regulations set minimum standards for the purpose of determining student financial aid awards. For students enrolled in the undergraduate degree-completion programs, an academic year is defined as the completion of 24 credit-hours, consisting of at least 30 weeks of instructional time within a 12-month period. The completion of at least 12 credit-hours constitutes one academic term. All students enrolled in these programs are full-time students.

Although most programs are completed within two calendar years, some extend slightly beyond that time frame. For the period of time that exceeds two calendar years, financial aid may not be available. Students should consult their financial aid counselor for details regarding their program.

A student's eligibility for financial aid is affected by his or her classification. Undergraduate students transferring in less than 60 hours are classified as sophomores. The minimum classification for a sophomore is 30 hours, 60 hours for a junior, and 90 hours for a senior. It is the responsibility of the student to become aware of how this classification affects his or her financial aid situation. This is especially significant for students admitted with fewer than 60 hours.