SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY AND PROCEDURE
The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is consistently applied to all students enrolled at DSDT. It is printed in the catalog to ensure that all students receive a copy prior to enrollment. The policy complies with the guidelines established by the Council on Occupational Education and the federal regulations established by the United States Department of Education.
EVALUATION PERIODS
Students are evaluated for Satisfactory Academic Progress as follows: 280 clocked (actual) hours, which is the midpoint and then at 560 clocked (actual) hours. Evaluations will determine if the student has met the minimum requirements for satisfactory academic progress. The frequency of evaluations ensures that students have had at least one evaluation by midpoint in their respective courses.
ACADEMIC PROGRESS EVALUATIONS
The qualitative element used to determine academic progress is a reasonable system of grades as determined by assigned academic learning. Students are assigned academic learning and a minimum number of practical experiences. Academic learning is evaluated after each unit of study. Practical assignments are evaluated as completed and counted toward course completion only when rated as satisfactory or if the performance does not meet satisfactory requirements, it is not counted and the performance must be repeated. At least two comprehensive practical skills evaluations will be conducted during the course of study. Practical skills are evaluated according to text procedures and set forth in practical skills evaluation criteria adopted by the school. Students must maintain a written grade average of 75% and pass a FINAL written and practical exam prior to graduation. Students must make up failed or missed tests and incomplete assignments. Numerical grades are considered according to the following scale:
DSDT considers grade “C” or 2.0 cumulative grade point average the minimum standards required to graduate.
The Grading Scale is based on the Grade Point Average ( GPA)
Interpretation: Exceeds Standards, Meets Standards, Minimum Standards, Unacceptable Standards, Failure.
A-100%-90% 4.0 Exceeds Standards
B-89%-80% 3.0 Meets Standards
C-79%-70% 2.0 Minimum Standards
D-69%-60% 1.0 Unacceptable Standards
F-59%-below Failure
Only courses for which the student receives a passing grade are acceptable for unit requirements in calculating the SAP status. Incomplete courses and withdrawals are not counted as completed units. Students are required to verify attendance for terms in which they receive unsatisfactory grades.
ACADEMIC POLICIES
DETERMINATION OF PROGRESS
Students meeting the minimum qualitative 70% GPA requirement for academics and the quantitative 67% attendance (considered the pace) at the scheduled evaluation point are considered to be SATISFACTORY.
ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Until the next scheduled evaluation: In order for a student to be making satisfactory academic progress as of course midpoint, the student must meet 67% in both attendance and 70% academic requirements on at least one evaluation by midpoint in the course. Example Attendance: Student scheduled to attend 18 hrs. per week (67% x 18= 12). Regardless of the average level of attendance, students who have more than 30 days of consecutive absences will be dismissed. When calculating attendance, a leave of absence will extend a student’s contract end period and maximum time frame by the same number of days taken in the leave of absence. The frequency of evaluations ensures that students have ample opportunity to meet both the attendance and academic progress requirements of at least one evaluation by midpoint in the course.
MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME- Quantitative Measurement
All students on Title IV federal student aid must complete their educational program in no longer than 150% of the published length of the program. (A leave of absence will extend the student’s contract period and maximum time frame by the same number of days in the leave of absence). Example if a student is in a 20-month program, the program must be completed in a maximum of 30 months that includes the labs, lectures and demos, (150% of 20). Students can consult the DSDT Catalog to find the duration of their training programs and then multiply that number by 1.5 to determine the credit hours’ limit that applies to their financial aid.
*All attempted courses, and withdrawals, (except incompletes) at the DSDT school of Film Production are counted toward the 150% eligibility.
*When students have reached their duration limit they will be placed on probation.
*All degree seeking coursework for which the student is in attendance is included in the satisfactory academic progress evaluation. Matriculated and/or non-matriculated, part time and/or full time student coursework are included in the evaluation, even in cases in which a student did not receive financial aid.
WARNING POLICY
Students who fail to meet minimum requirements for attendance or academic progress are placed on warning and considered to be making satisfactory academic progress while during the warning period. The student will be advised in writing on the actions required to attain satisfactory academic progress by the next evaluation. The student must meet both the attendance and academic requirements or be placed on probation.
PROBATION POLICY
Students who fail to meet minimum requirements for attendance or academic progress after the warning period will be placed on probation and considered to be making satisfactory academic progress while during the probationary period, if the student appeals the decision, and prevails upon appeal. Additionally, only students who have the ability to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy standards may be placed on probation. Students placed on an academic plan must be able to meet requirements set forth in the academic plan. Students who are progressing according to their specific academic plan will be considered as making Satisfactory Academic Progress. The student will be advised in writing of the actions required to attain satisfactory academic progress that must be met by the next evaluation. The student must meet attendance and academic requirements for satisfactory academic progress or as set forth in the academic plan. Non-compliance results in FAILURE of the student for NOT meeting the requirements set forth in the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
MAKE-UP TIME POLICY
Students are expected to make up missed days and exams. Students may utilize the various school schedules and classes to complete make up time and exams. All attendance make-up time will be done during normal school hours but in the student’s non-scheduled class time.
SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION POLICY
Suspension or termination from DSDT may happen if the student participates in any of the following:
a. Possession of illegal drugs or alcohol on school premises, grounds, or parking lot.
b. Theft from Students, or of School property, or supplies.
c. Willful destruction of School property.
d. Insubordination
e. Loud, boisterous behavior or foul language.
CHANGE OF INCOMPLETE GRADE
A grade of I (incomplete) may be changed to a passing grade within one term from the date of award of this grade if the student satisfactorily completes all of the requirements as set by the course instructor. Otherwise after this period the incomplete grade of “I” automatically will be changed to F. A student is given 14 days from the end of the term to make arrangements with his/her instructor if s/he has a grade of I of F for missing the final exam or required assignments because of an excused absence. Once the 14-day mark has passed, F grade will become permanent and the student has to retake the course.
When a grade of I changes to a passing or failing grade, SAP is re-calculated.
For a student who does not receive Title IV aid, the SAP policy is still applicable and this period is accounted-for in the maximum duration calculation of the program.
RESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY
A student may also be reinstated for financial aid by completing the equivalent 12 credit/clock hours at DSDT on a self-payment option and maintaining satisfactory academic progress during this time. Once a student has done this, s/he will either regain good standing or be placed back on financial aid probation, depending on his/her grade point average and completion percentage. This option is NOT available to students who have been dismissed from financial aid because of exceeding their hours limit. Prior Periods in which the student was determined ineligible for aid will not be included in the student’s reinstatement of eligibility.
ACADEMIC REVIEW PROCEDURES AND APPEAL PROCESS
If a student is determined to not be making satisfactory academic progress, the student may appeal the determination within ten calendar days. Reasons for which students may appeal a negative progress determination include death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or any other allowable special or mitigating circumstance. The student must submit a written appeal to the school on the designated form describing why they failed to meet satisfactory academic progress standards, along with supporting documentation of the reasons why the determination should be reversed. This information should include what has changed about the student’s situation that will allow them to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress by the next evaluation point. Appeal documents will be reviewed and a decision will be made and reported to the student within 30 calendar days. The appeal and decision documents will be retained in the student file.
DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATIONS OF COMPLETIONS
Upon satisfactory completion of the required course hours and course requirements, a diploma will be given to the student. Also a certificate of completion will be issued.
The institution may withhold official academic transcripts and diplomas if the student has not met all financial obligations.
CHANGING DEGREES, SECOND DEGREES, REPEATING COURSEWORK, INCOMPLETES AND WITHDRAWALS
In the case where a student changes degree programs, courses taken that do not contribute to the new degree program DO NOT count toward the 150 percent requirement.
In the case where a student pursues a second degree program, courses taken that do not contribute to the new degree program DO NOT count toward the 150 percent requirement.
Any non-credit coursework, repeat coursework or coursework for which a grade of incomplete or withdrawn is given counts toward both the quantitative and qualitative measures for calculating SAP.
Any student pursuing an additional degree program is subject to both the 150 percent time frame and the 2.00 cumulative GPA requirements.
DSDT does not offer noncredit remedial courses but individual study plans. Therefore noncredit remedial coursework is independent work and does not contribute toward the 150 percent completion time frame nor is it counted toward the qualitative 2.00 GPA requirement.
SUMMER TERMS
DSDT does not distinguish between summer, fall and winter terms. However, student financial aid is subject to the annual loan limits subsidized and/or unsubsidized. All periods of enrollment count toward Satisfactory Academic Progress.
REPEATED COURSES
Financial Aid will not pay for a repeated class if the student has already passed the class with a grade that will be counted towards his/her degree. In cases that the student receives a failing grade for their coursework, financial aid will only pay for ONE repeat of any course.
TRANSFER CREDITS
DSDT does not accept transfer credit for coursework completed at another institution.
WITHDRAWALS AND THE RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS
DSDT performs “Return to Title IV” calculations for all withdrawing students as per its R2T4 Policy. If a withdrawn student returns back to school, DSDT will apply its SAP policy in continuation of such a student’s SAP-status at the time of withdrawal. Title IV (TIV) (federal) financial aid funds are awarded under the assumption that a student will remain in classroom attendance for the entire period for which the funds were awarded. When a student withdraws from all courses, regardless of the reason, s/he may no longer be eligible for the full amount of funds originally awarded. The return of funds to the federal government is based on the premise that a student earns financial aid in proportion to the length of time during which s/he remains enrolled. A pro-rated schedule determines the amount of federal student aid funds s/he will have earned at the time of full withdrawal.
Federal regulations require a recalculation of financial aid eligibility if a student:
-Completely withdraws;
-Stops attending before the semester’s end;
-Does not complete all modules in which the student is enrolled
DSDT students who receive federal financial aid and who do not remain in attendance through the end of the semester may be responsible for repaying a portion of the financial aid originally received (Please see DSDT Refund Policy).
Students who do not begin attendance in classes are not eligible for federal financial aid and must repay all aid originally received.