Mail: Financial Aid Office
Eastern Wyoming College
3200 West C Street
Torrington, WY 82240
2014-2015
Satisfactory Academic
Progress Appeal
for federal financial aid
In compliance with federal financial aid regulations and EWC policies, a student is ineligible to receive federal
financial aid, including student loans, if he/she fails to meet any of the following conditions:
• Loss of Eligibility: Failed to successfully complete at least 67% of overall credit hours attempted and/or
failed to achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for one or more semesters following a
Warning semester.
• Maximum Time Frame: Attempted more than 24 credits for a certificate program or more than 70 credits for
a degree program without having successfully completed the degree. Students who have earned a degree or
certificate are also considered to be at Maximum Time Frame, even if the 24/70 credit levels have not been met.
A student who experienced extenuating circumstances (usually considered beyond the student’s control) that created the
suspension or excessive attempted credits may petition for reinstatement of eligibility by completing the appeal procedure
outlined below. There is a limit of appeals allowed; further appeals will be accepted at the discretion of the Appeal
Committee and only if the criteria established in the appeal agreement and program evaluation are met.
Appeals should be submitted as soon as possible following notification of loss of eligibility, but NO LATER THAN
MID-TERM OF THE SEMESTER FOR WHICH THE STUDENT IS REQUESTING AID.
Complete ALL required information on the appeal form. Incomplete petitions will not be considered.
Complete Student Section of appeal in detail (a typed sheet may be attached as long as all points are addressed).
Attach documentation to support your circumstances (e.g., a letter from a physician to document medical circumstances).
This documentation must be retained in your financial aid file, so please do not submit originals.
The student must meet with an academic advisor to complete the Advisor Section of the appeal and to go over a program
evaluation to ensure the student is enrolled only in credits needed to graduate in a timely manner. Complete the Student Section
of the appeal BEFORE making an appointment with an advisor. Program evaluations may be obtained from the Records Office
or via your LancerNet Academic Profile. Student and academic advisor must sign the evaluation AND appeal form.
Complete all steps of appeal and submit with required documentation to the Financial Aid Office. The Appeal Committee
will review the appeal along with academic and financial aid records to make a decision. Allow at least 30 days for review.
A student is not required to make payments toward an outstanding balance while an appeal is under review, but will not be
allowed to charge books during a book charging period unless/until the appeal is approved. If the petition is NOT approved, the
student is responsible for paying all charges incurred.
Student is notified via mail when a decision is reached on the appeal. Please make sure Student Services has a current and
correct address and phone number on file. If the appeal is approved, the student will be required to sign an agreement indicating
he/she understands and will comply with the conditions of the approval.
A student whose appeal is approved is placed on financial aid Probation. The student is expected to regain Satisfactory
Academic Progress at the end of the probationary semester by regaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA and/or regaining at least 67%
overall completion. A student who is unable to obtain SAP in one semester will be allowed to re-appeal as long as he/she is
earning at least a C in all classes and is not withdrawing from any classes during the probationary semester.
A student whose appeal is denied and who disagrees with the decision of the Appeal Committee has the right to re-appeal to
the Financial Aid Director.
Federal and state financial aid is intended to assist students in making successful progress toward completing an
eligible degree or certificate. Therefore, the STUDENT bears the responsibility of demonstrating progress toward
that goal. Determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is based on cumulative attempted hours and
takes into account the student’s full EWC academic record regardless of whether the student received financial aid
funds. The Financial Aid Office is required to look at all previous periods of enrollment, including concurrent
enrollment/dual credit classes taken while in high school, transfer credits, and periods of Academic Amnesty, no
matter how long ago the student was enrolled. Satisfactory progress is evaluated at the end of every semester.