150% Rule
Students are expected to complete the requirements for a degree program within a reasonable time-frame. For this standard, the allowable time is based upon the number of hours each student attempts.
The maximum number of hours a student is allowed to attempt for a first bachelor degree program is 150% of the minimum number of hours required to graduate in a specific major. For example: If 120 hours of course work is required to complete the degree, then a student can attempt a maximum of 180 hours (120 X 150%). This includes all course work attempted at AU, including credit courses and all transfer work from other institutions that is accepted by AU. Students who exceed the maximum allowable time-frame (hours) to complete their degree program are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. The required number of credit hours may vary based upon degree and when the student started their program of study; therefore, the maximum number of credit hours that a student may attempt will also vary in some cases.
Federal regulations also state that a student becomes ineligible for financial aid whenever it becomes mathematically impossible to complete degree program without exceeding the maximum time-frame/hours. Students in this scenario are no longer eligible for enrollment or federal aid and are placed on suspension.
Hours remaining in Maximum Time-Frame Allowance
- Required Hours Remaining in Program to earn degree
= Negative Number: Student Ineligible for enrollment and aid
Hours remaining in Maximum Time-Frame Allowance
- Required Hours Remaining in Program to earn degree
= Positive Number: Student Eligible for enrollment and aid
Students who have changed majors, are pursuing a double major, or a minor may reach their maximum time- frame/hours before their program of study is complete. The 180 credit hour maximum time frame still applies, regardless of the number of times a student changes majors or if he/she is pursuing multiple majors or degrees. The hours included in the evaluation will only include the hours for their current major, regardless of how many times they change majors.
If at the time of the SAP evaluation, student is not meeting maximum time-frame/hours standards, they are no longer eligible to receive financial aid assistance. Students who lose enrollment and student aid eligibility due to this standard can only regain eligibility by submitting a successful Maximum Time Frame SAP Appeal. A Maximum Time Frame SAP Appeal should describe every circumstance believed to cause the student to accumulate hours in excess of the number allowed. In addition, the student must also have the Degree Audit form completed by their academic advisor.