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Student Life
Title IV Appeals

TITLE IV FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAM

Federal Academic Standards: Students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress in their chosen major toward the completion of a degree to receive Federal Student Aid (Title IV). In addition, the student must achieve the minimum GPA required for probationary status at the institution. After two years of enrollment at the College, students must have earned at least a "C" average, its equivalent or academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation. Students must also accumulate credits toward the degree according to the following standards:
Title IV Satisfactory Progress Quantitative Measure: Students will be measured against the above-mentioned standard at the end of each term. Those who fall below the standards may appeal through the normal institutional academic appeal process to regain eligibility.

  1. 150% CAP: Students are required to complete their course-work in no more than 150 percent of an academic program's published length. The following formula may be used: See example below for an associate degree program of 64 credits. [(Academic Program's published length in credits) x1.5 =96]
  2. Regular Standard: If a student has attempted fewer than 150% of the total program credits, his or her accumulated (or earned) credits must be equal to or greater than two-thirds of the cumulative credits attempted at the College.
  3. Conditional Standard: If the standard in the above paragraph is not met, eligibility may be retained by meeting the following conditional standard: For associate degree programs, the accumulated credits must be equal to or greater than [(credits attempted x 0.875) - 21].

Attempted Credits
All attempted credits are reflected on the student's file. Accumulated credits are credits that the student has earned toward the completion of the degree program. "W"s, (WA, WF, AND WU), "F"s, "R"s, "I"s, and "FIN"s transfer credits, and repeated courses reported on a student's grade transcript are counted as attempted credits. Second degree students shall have their status initialized for Federal Student Aid (Title IV) by using the number of credits accepted towards the second degree as cumulative attempted credits and cumulative earned credits.

The Hostos Financial Aid Office will decertify students that are non-complaints. Students wishing to seek reinstatement of their eligibility can submit a written appeal to the Office of the Dean of Students. Kindly note the guidelines below.

What is a Federal Academic Appeal?

A Federal Academic Appeal is an option available to students who fail to maintain academic progress for federal student aid.  An appeal provides an opportunity for a student to demonstrate that their failure to achieve the required G.P.A. and/or credits was due to unusual circumstances such as medical reason.   Included in the appeal are documents that substantiate the student’s statements and reasons for their poor academic performance.

What is the process?

  1. Student prepares appeal and submit the appropriate documents to the office in charge of the particular appeal.
  2. The intake office receives the appeal during the indicated dates for completeness and submits it to the Appeal Committee.
  3. The Committee reviews the appellant’s case and determines if the student will benefit from the approval of an appeal.
  4. The Committee sends its decision to the Office of Financial Aid and to the student.

How long will it take?

Minimum of two weeks.

Where and when can an appeal be submitted?

TA & TB – The Office of Student Life (Student Inquiry Unit) will review appeals. For further information, you may call (718) 518-6557.

What documents must I submit with my appeal?

  1. Personal Statement - Letter explaining unusual circumstances
  2. Academic Plan - A plan of action for improving academic performance
  3. Student Transcript
  4. Medical Documents (if applicable)
  5. Any other document that will support the appeal
  6. Unofficial Graduation Assessment if you are in the 150% TB Category Only (attempted over 90 academic credits).Unofficial Graduation Assessment Forms may be obtained during the orientation sessions.
  7. Title IV ineligible notification letter sent from the Financial Aid Office.

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