Navigating Credit Hour Calculations and Financial Aid at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited University specializing in aviation and aerospace, educates students at residential campuses in Prescott, Arizona and Daytona Beach, Florida, and via the Worldwide Campus, which operates a globally recognized learning system that leverages online, and face-to-face instruction and a network of education facilities designed to support student advancement in the United States and abroad. Understanding how credit hours are calculated and how they impact financial aid is crucial for students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the policies and procedures related to credit hours, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), and financial aid eligibility at Embry-Riddle.

Accreditation and Academic Standards

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been accredited since 1968 by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-COC). The university is accredited to award degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. A semester or term grade point average (GPA) and cumulative grade point average (CGPA) are computed for each student after every semester or term. The GPA is calculated by dividing the number of grade points earned during the semester or term by the number of credit hours attempted in that semester or term. The CGPA is determined by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of hours attempted at the University. For undergraduate students, grade points and hours attempted are accrued in courses graded A, B, C, D, F and WF.

Understanding Credit Hours and Enrollment Status

To maintain financial aid eligibility, students must understand all policies pertaining to federal financial aid. A key factor in determining financial aid eligibility is the student's enrollment status, which is directly linked to the number of credit hours they are taking.

Enrollment Status and Loan Requirements

Any time a student breaks continuous enrollment (i.e., does not attend all terms in their assigned Track) or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (three credit hours) for undergraduate or full-time (three credit hours) for graduate and borrowed Federal Direct Loans, they will be required to complete Exit Counseling.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require Embry-Riddle to define minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress to determine eligibility for financial aid. Embry-Riddle must set certain quantitative and qualitative standards to ensure students are progressing toward degree completion. The Standards of Academic Progress is reviewed once each academic year and are updated at the end of the last term in academic year. For Worldwide programs, the academic year ends with the last term of a track (see Financial Aid Tracks for terms associated with tracks). The April and May Terms are optional terms and are not calculated until the following academic year.

Read also: Tuition at Embry-Riddle

Quantitative Standards

There are two quantitative standards. First, students must successfully complete 67% of the courses they attempt. Grades A, B, C, D, and P are considered successfully completed. Second, students are allowed 150% of the length of their program to complete their degree. These maximum credit hours may vary depending on the specific program.

Impact of Repeated Coursework

Repeat coursework can have negative consequences on a student’s SAP calculation. Federal regulations limit the number of times a student may repeat a course and receive financial aid for that course. If a student fails their second attempt, no more financial aid will be given to repeat the course a third time. When a student has completed any course twice with a passing grade (A, B, C or D), he or she is no longer eligible to receive aid for that course.

For example:

Course 1: Yes, these credits are included in the financial aid enrollment because the student can repeat any failed or withdrawn course until a passing grade is received. Once a passing grade is received, financial aid can pay for the course one more time (one repeat).
Course 3: No, this course was previously passed twice, and this is the third attempt.

Maximum Timeframe

Students are not allowed to attempt more than 1.5 times, or 150%, of the number of hours in their degree program of study. A typical 2-year degree program should be completed no longer than 3 years. Repeated coursework during a program of study may negatively impact a student's completion ratio (PACE and Maximum timeframe).

Transfer Credits and Dual Enrollment

Transfer credit hours/Dual Enrollment credit hours that are accepted toward a chosen program of study are calculated in the time frame needed to complete the degree. Dual Enrollment credit hours earned through participation in ERAU dual enrollment programs that are applicable to a chosen degree program but taken before being admitted into the degree program will count towards the Time Frame.

Consequences of Not Meeting SAP

Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress are placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will not receive federal or institutional aid during this suspension.

Appealing a SAP Suspension

Students have the option to appeal the suspension. They will be required to submit supporting documentation and explain what type of circumstances contributed to the academic problem and what plans they have to eliminate those problems in the future. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval. While there is no regulatory limit on the number of times a student may appeal their SAP status, the extenuating circumstances for the SAP Appeal cannot be the same as the previous appeal.

Grounds for Appeal

An appeal must be based on extenuating circumstances that seriously affected academic performance such as student or parent injury or illness, death of a relative, or any other extenuating circumstances.

Required Documentation

Students will be required to submit the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal form and supporting documentation. They will also need to explain what type of extenuating circumstances contributed to the academic problem.

Appropriate documentation supporting the appeal must include, but is not limited to, divorce decrees, death certificates, and letters from doctors, counselors, advisors, etc. Written statements from a professional should reference the student's name, diagnosis, dates of treatment, and length that situation has or was occurring. Include any statements (on company letterhead) from third-party persons (e.g., clergy, employers, medical professionals, etc.) who can verify the extenuating circumstances.

Read also: Inside Embry-Riddle Admissions

Academic Plan

Students may be required by the Financial Aid Office to submit an Academic Plan. If notified to do so, they must submit a plan from their academic advisor. The plan must include coursework to raise GPA, increase course completion ratio, and/or meet degree completion requirements.

Appeal Submission

To ensure an appeal is reviewed prior to the beginning of a term, students must submit the appeal along with documentation in sufficient time for the appeal to be reviewed. Incomplete applications and requests for additional documentation will cause delays. SAP Appeals can take up to 20 business days to process.

Probation and Re-establishing Eligibility

For students who are successful in their appeal, aid will be reinstated; however, they will be placed on probation for one payment period/term. Students may reestablish their eligibility for financial assistance by achieving satisfactory academic progress standards. Keep in mind this will be at their own expense as they are ineligible for aid.

Course Withdrawal and its Impact

Withdrawing from courses may impact financial aid awards. Students who totally withdraw or drop all courses in a term and receive aid may owe the university money.

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

Students who withdraw or receive an “F” for *non-attendance or *non-participation from all of their classes are subject to the Return of Title IV Federal Financial Aid Programs Policy. It contains important information for students who withdraw or *ceases to attend all registered classes within a term and receive financial aid.

*If a student ceases to attend all registered classes and/or ceases to participate in an academically related activity at any point during their term of enrollment, the faculty will use their discretion to assign an appropriate grade and supporting last date of attendance.

Repeating Courses

Undergraduate students, with the exception of flight courses that may be repeated only once, may attempt a University course only three times. In determining the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), the grade for the second course attempt replaces the first, and the grade for the third course attempt replaces the second. The grade(s) and credit hours for the third and any approved subsequent attempts will be used in calculating the CGPA. All course attempts are recorded on the University transcript.

Repeating Passed Courses

A student may receive aid to repeat a previously passed course one additional time. If a student fails the second attempt, no more financial aid will be given to repeat the course a third time. When a student has completed any course twice with a grade (A, B, C or D), he or she is no longer eligible to receive aid for that course.

Repeating Failed or Withdrawn Courses

A student may receive aid when repeating a course that was previously failed or withdrawn from regardless of the number of times the course was attempted and failed.

Repeating Flight Courses

Except flight courses, which may be repeated only once, a student may attempt any University course only three times, including the initial grade, repeat grades, and any withdrawals and audits. In the case of extraordinary, extenuating circumstances, a fourth attempt may be granted by the Chief Academic Officer or designee. The grade for each attempt will appear on the student’s permanent academic record.

Financial Aid and Program Applicability

Federal Regulations limit Financial Aid to only courses that apply to a Program of Study. An Academic Advisor will be notified to review courses and then notify the Financial Aid office for any student enrolled in courses that are not applicable to a student’s Program of Study who may be eligible for Federal Aid. This will cause a reduction or cancellation of Financial Aid.

Dual Enrollment and Financial Aid

ERAU Dual Enrollment Students are not eligible for Financial Aid administered by the University. Some states do offer reimbursement programs for the cost of tuition, fees, and books associated with dual enrollment courses. The Embry-Riddle Dual Enrollment Office will do their very best to help guide all Students and their Parents when seeking state funding opportunities, but we are unable to cover every Dual Enrollment policy in each state.

Tuition and Fees

The payment of tuition and all other applicable fees becomes an obligation at the time of registration. Failure to make payment in full by the due date may result in administrative withdrawal from classes. All amounts shown here or in other University publications or webpages represent tuition and fees as currently approved. In addition, all tuition amounts and fees are subject to change at any time for correction of errors. Payment is due by the payment deadline in advance of the first day of classes. Residential students will be charged the published residential rates for both in-person and online modalities. Costs listed on this page reflect the academic year (fall and spring).

Additional Costs

Each student is expected to pay for the cost of any books and materials associated with their course. Indirect Costs are an estimate of additional funds needed. You should allow for expenses such as books, supplies, personal hygiene, laundry and transportation.

Resources for Students

There are many resources to help students if any difficulties arise: Tutoring labs, Counseling Center, Academic Advisor, as well as the Financial Aid Counselors. Embry-Riddle is committed to helping students have a successful educational experience.

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