2018–2019 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK ACADEMIC INFORMATION AND COLLEGE POLICIES Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, is defined as the successful progression through an academic program within a prescribed timeframe. Cumulative grade point averages and successful completion of credits attempted are monitored quarterly, and students not meeting the standards are notified. SAP Components: All students must meet all three of the components that are used to measure a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards the completion of an academic program. The three components are as follows: 1. GPA. Rasmussen College students are required to achieve and maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00. Graduate students are required to maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00. 2. Pace/Cumulative Completion Rate (CCR). This is the pace at which a student progresses through a program. CCR is calculated by dividing cumulative credits earned by cumulative credits attempted within a program (e.g., 6 credits earned ÷ 12 credits attempted = 50%). Minimum standards are listed in the chart below. 3. Duration of Eligibility. This is the maximum time frame for program completion and is equal to 150% of the number of total credits required for the program (e.g., maximum time frame for a 90-credit program = 90 X 150%, or 135 credits). Percentage of Credits Attempted Toward Maximum Time Frame Up to 25% Greater than 25%, up to 50% Greater than 50% Minimum Successful Completion of Cumulative Credits Attempted 25% 50% 67% Total credits are indicated for each program listing in the catalog. A student who exceeds 150% of the maximum time frame is no longer eligible for financial aid. In calculating Pace/CCR and Duration of Eligibility, the following grades will be considered attempted, but will not be considered as credits successfully completed or earned: F/FA/FD, U/UD/UN, W/WD/WF/WP, I. Financial Aid Warning: If a student’s CGPA falls below 2.00, or if Pace/CCR standards or Duration of Eligibility requirements are not met, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for the subsequent quarter. A student is eligible for financial aid during the Financial Aid Warning period. A student who fails to meet any one of the components of SAP at the end of the Financial Aid Warning period is not eligible for financial aid. Appeals: A student may appeal his/her assigned status of Not Eligible for Financial Aid to the Academic Review Committee, which will determine whether mitigating circumstances exist, and, if so, will forward the appeal to General Counsel. All appeals must be made in writing and must address the nature of the circumstances that the student believes warrant exception to the policy stated above. All appeals will be reviewed and ruled on within ten business days, and students will be notified in writing regarding the outcome of the appeal. Appeals will not be approved for students who cannot meet all three components of SAP by the end of the Financial Aid Probation period unless an academic plan is developed and in place for the student. The ruling of General Counsel is final and cannot be appealed. Financial Aid Probation: If a student fails to make Satisfactory Academic Progress, but submits a successful appeal and has his/her eligibility for aid reinstated, he/she will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for the subsequent quarter. A student is eligible for financial aid during the Financial Aid Probation period. At the end of the Financial Aid Probation period, the student must meet the conditions specified in his/her academic plan or the minimum SAP requirements to be eligible for further financial aid funding. A student who fails to meet the minimum SAP requirements or the conditions specified in his/her academic plan at the end of the Financial Aid Probation period is not eligible for financial aid. Academic Plan: An academic plan is required for students who successfully appeal and are unable to meet all three components of SAP by the end of the Financial Aid Probation period to ensure the student would be able to meet the minimum SAP standards by a specific point in time. The academic plan should include GPA and/or Pace/CCR requirements, depending upon the deficiency. It may also include additional requirements, such as a limit on the number of credits enrolled, consultation with an Advisor, or other items to help define and assist in the student’s progress. Students must regain Satisfactory Academic Progress within two quarters or they will be terminated from the College. The decision to terminate may be appealed through the Academic Review Committee process. Students who withdraw from the College and later reenter are treated as continuing students and must meet progress requirements. Reentry does not negate previous academic status or satisfactory progress requirements. Satisfactory Academic Progress calculations for a reentering student who changes programs will include only the grades and credits attempted and earned for courses that are part of the student’s new program; standard CCR requirements will be followed from the reentry point and for each quarter thereafter. If other courses have been taken at another institution and can be transferred in, the courses will be included in SAP calculations as described elsewhere in this section. A student terminated due to SAP may not reenter the College unless he/she has completed coursework elsewhere that is acceptable for transfer into the College and will bring the student back into good standing. Health Sciences Externships, Practicums, and Clinicals Externships, clinicals, and practicums for Health Sciences programs are to be conducted in Rasmussen-approved locations. Each practicum site will be established utilizing an agreement to determine the responsibilities of the practicum partner, Rasmussen College, and the participating student. Students may need to travel out of the immediate area to complete practicum activities. The cost of any such travel is the responsibility of the student. Practicums/Externships in Health Sciences programs have attendance expectations that differ from the general Rasmussen College Attendance Policy. These attendance policies can be found in the program-specific manuals/ handbooks. In order to successfully complete a practicum experience, students must complete the required number of practicum hours for the course. Students who do not complete all required practicum hours during the quarter or term in which the course is scheduled will fail the practicum course. All student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while the student is completing their clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. The student will not receive any monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution. Often, students will be offered a position toward the end of their rotation. It must be understood by both parties that should compensation occur for time associated with the practicum requirement, the student may be dismissed from the program and forfeit any accumulated hours. Attendance A basic requirement for employment in any organization is regular, on-time attendance. Rasmussen College students are expected to be on time and in regular attendance for all of their classes. Workplace etiquette also requires a call be made if an absence is necessary. Rasmussen College students are expected to call the College and to indicate if they will be absent or tardy. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to get missed information, class work, and assignments. Attendance requirements are met by (a) Attending a face-to-face course session at the campus or other class location, or (b) Substantive online activity, including commentary in the discussion section of the online classroom, posting of required assignments and course quizzes and exams in a timely manner. Discussion posts in the student lounge area of the classroom are encouraged but do not count as attendance activities. Attendance is not equivalent to participation. Student grades will be impacted by the frequency and quality of participation in class, whether face- to-face or online, consistent with the requirements of the particular course and as outlined in the course syllabus. Rasmussen College uses a standard grading scale for its courses (although some programs may be required to follow additional standards). Faculty are required to keep accurate attendance records which are submitted to the student’s record. Rasmussen College makes attendance records available to supporting agencies and prospective employers. Students must maintain regular attendance and be in satisfactory academic standing to remain eligible for financial aid. A. First Week Attendance Students are expected to meet attendance requirements in their courses on or before the seventh day of the start of a term. Students who have not met the attendance requirement in at least one scheduled College course within seven days of the start of a term may be administratively withdrawn from the College. B. Course Attendance If a student has not been in attendance in a course within 14 days of their last date of attendance in that course, he or she may be administratively withdrawn from the course. If the student has not been in attendance in any courses within 14 days of their last day of attendance, he or she may be administratively withdrawn from the College. Upon withdrawal, a student’s financial aid eligibility will be adjusted according to the Institution’s refund policy as described in the College Catalog and will be assigned grades according to the Rasmussen College Course Drop Policy. 129
