Financial Aid Office
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students receiving financial aid of any type are required to make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. “Satisfactory Academic Progress” is defined by federal regulations of the U.S. Department of Education as “proceeding in a positive manner toward fulfilling degree requirements”. Academic progress is measured using qualitative (GPA) standards, quantitative (credit completion rate) standards and students are eligible for financial aid consideration through their first 180 attempted credits of their 120 credit degree program. According to these federal guidelines, Lesley University students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined in their College Catalog. Students are reviewed on an annual basis in June with regard to their continued eligibility for federal and state financial aid for the following year.
Art Institute of Boston Undergraduate Students:
- Minimum GPA (Less than 30 credits completed): 2.0
- Minimum GPA (30 or greater credits completed): 2.3
- Minimum Completion: 75% of Attempted Credits
Lesley College and Adult Learning Division Students:
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Completion: 75% of Attempted Credits
Lesley College Online Management Students
- Minimum GPA: 2.0
- Minimum Completion: 75% of Attempted Credits
Graduate Students:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Minimum Completion: 75% of Attempted Credits
Graduate Students in Pass/Fail Programs (GMFA, IMFA, Independent Study):
- Minimum Completion: 75% of Attempted Credits
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal
Students who are not making satisfactory academic progress are allowed to appeal based on unusual circumstances. Appeals and supporting documentation should be processed using the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal From provided by the Financial Aid Office. Please note that appeals will not be approved more than one time during their enrollment at Lesley University. Examples of unusual circumstances can be, but are not limited to, documented health problems and family emergencies. If an appeal is granted, the student must be making academic progress (no failing grades and all classes completed) by the end of the first semester after the appeal has been granted for the student to continue to receive financial aid consideration on appeal for continuing semesters. At the student’s request, the Financial Aid Office will review the academic status of a student who had their appeal denied or who did not appeal their academic status at the end of an academic semester to determine if the academic record now reaches the qualitative and qualitative standards listed above.
If you have questions about your academic progress, we suggest that you obtain a copy of your unofficial transcript through the Registrar’s Office located at the Student Administrative Services desk at 1815 Massachusetts Avenue (1-800-999-1959, extension 8740) and review your academic program catalog.
