To be eligible for federal financial aid, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen.
• Be registered for the selective service if required to do so.
• Have a high school diploma or GED, or have already successfully completed an Ability to Benefit Test.
• Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student or enrolled in an eligible certificate program.
• Not owe a refund on any federal grant, nor be in default on a federal student loan, nor have borrowed in excess of the loan limits under the Title IV programs at any institution.
• Must maintain good academic standing in their program and make satisfactory progress toward the degree sought, as outlined below.
• Must be enrolled at least half-time, Undergraduates at least six (6) credits half-time, twelve (12) credits full-time. Graduate students three (3) credits half-time, six (6) credits is full-time.

Walden University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Receipt of Federal Financial Aid

Walden University's satisfactory academic progress requirements for receipt of Title IV student financial assistance comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations. These standards are intended to establish minimum, reasonable levels of advancement toward degree completion and to guard against abuse of aid programs. Satisfactory progress requirements for receipt of financial aid are separate and distinct from the university's academic progress requirements for academic continuance. Academic progress requirements are reviewed each year, and adjustments are made accordingly.

Effective 9/5/2006

 *Minimum progress requirements for federal financial aid do not include academic residency requirements.

The Office of Financial Aid reviews progress annually. Students who do not meet the above progress standards will be placed on federal financial aid probation for two quarters/semesters. During this probation period, students will remain eligible for federal financial assistance. Students who fail to meet the minimum progress requirements after the completion of the two-quarters/semesters probation period will become ineligible to receive federal aid until such time as the progress requirements are met. A student may appeal for a one-quarter/semester extension of aid if he/she can document that circumstances beyond his/her control affected his/her ability to progress at the required rate. A change in academic program does not supersede the above statement.

As indicated in the Walden Catalog, the progress requirements for academic continuance are distinctly different from the progress requirements for receipt of federal financial aid. Loss of aid eligibility does not prohibit a student from continuing his/her enrollment at Walden University. However, students who lose their financial aid eligibility must make payment arrangements with the Office of the Bursar to avoid financial suspension. Students may be eligible for private educational loans if federal financial aid eligibility is lost.

Financial Aid Probation

Students who do not meet these progress standards are placed on financial aid probation for two quarters/semesters. During this period, students are still considered to be making academic progress and remain eligible for financial assistance. Students who fail to meet the minimum progress requirements, within the two-quarters/semesters probation period, become ineligible to receive additional Title IV student assistance until such time as the progress requirements are met. A change in academic program does not supersede the above statement.

Should a student become ineligible to receive financial aid, but remain in compliance with the academic progress standards for continuance in the program, the student will not be withdrawn from the program but must arrange for alternative payment with the Bursar by the appropriate tuition due date.

Right to Appeal

Occasionally, a student’s academic progress may be delayed by circumstances that are beyond the student’s control. In instances such as this, the student may appeal to the financial aid office no later than 10 days following the notification of financial aid denial.

If the appeal is accepted, the student must meet the requirements set forth by the written approval of the appeal. Students may not appeal the decision a second time.