Home | Gateways | Academics | Admission | Directories | Site Index SEARCH:

Satisfactory Academic Progress

In order for students to receive federal, state, and instutional aid, they must be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.

ESF College Aid

Students receiving any of the following ESF awards are eligible to have their awards renewed in future years if they maintain an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) as indicated:

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - 3.00 GPA
ESF Transfer Scholarship - 2.50 GPA
ESF Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship - 3.00 GPA
ESF College Aid Grant - 2.50 GPA
ESF Renewal Grant - 2.50 GPA
ESF Presidential Scholarship - 3.00 GPA
ESF in the High School - 3.00 GPA
ESF National Grant - 3.00 GPA
Federal SMART Grant - 3.00 GPA

Federal Student Aid

Undergraduate and graduate students must meet specified criteria in order to be eligible for Title IV Federal Student Assistance, which includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Perkins Student Loans, Federal Stafford Student Loans, the Federal College Work-Study Program, and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students.

The criteria that students must meet to be eligible for Title IV student aid are the same criteria all ESF students must adhere to in terms of institutional academic policies and, specifically, academic progress toward a degree.

The evaluation criteria are the following:

  • an appropriate grade point average to ensure satisfactory academic progress;
  • the successful accumulation of credits toward a degree;
  • receipt of a degree within the prescribed time limit for that program. (Limits vary for individual programs; see below for standard).

Students receiving federal student aid funds must make steady academic progress toward their degrees. While most students pursue their degrees on a full-time basis, others do not. In order to allow for maximum flexibility to complete a degree, federal regulations state that students' maximum time to be eligible for federal aid shall not exceed 150 percent of the published length of time it takes to complete that degree on a full-time basis.

The following chart lists the maximum number of credit hours a student may take and still receive federal student aid. These figures are based on 150 percent of the credit hours required to complete each of the degrees offered by the college—regardless of the time it takes to complete that degree.

Degree Credit Hours Required Maximum Hours Allowed
Associate in Applied Science    
  Forest Technology 78 117
Bachelor of Science 125 187
  Aquatic and Fisheries  Science 126 189
  Biotechnology 123 184
  Chemistry 121 181
  Conservation Biology 126 189
  Construction Management 127 190
  Dual Option in Forest  Ecosystems Science 132 198
  Environmental Biology 126 189
  Environmental Science 125 187
  Environmental Studies 122-125 187
  Forest Engineering 130 195
  Forest Health 126 189
  Forest Resources  Management 129 193
  Natural History and  Interpretation 126 189
  Natural Resources  Management 122 183
  Paper Engineering 140 210
  Paper Science 133 199
  Wildlife Sciences 126 189
  Wood Products  Engineering 127 190
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture 150 225
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture / Master of Science 150/30 225
Master of Forestry 30 45
Master of Landscape Architecture 66 99
Master of Professional Studies (unless otherwise noted) 30 45
  Environmental and Forest  Biology 42 63
Master of Science 30 45
Doctor of Philosophy 60 90
Appeal, Probation, Reinstatement

Students who fall below the minimum standards may appeal to the dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies to retain their academic eligibility to receive Title IV Federal Student Assistance.

Appeals will be evaluated for mitigating circumstances such as injury or illness, and the likelihood that the student will be able to return to the appropriate standard. If the dean of Instruction and Graduate Studies places a student on “academic probation,” the student remains eligible for Title IV aid as defined by the Statement of Good Academic Standing.

New York State Aid

All students who are awarded financial assistance will be required to maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester in order to keep their awards. Academic progress standards for all awards provided by New York are listed below.

Recipients of a New York state award must adhere to the following state requirements:

  • Academic Progress — Students must meet the stated minimums on the following charts to be eligible for an award the next semester.
  • Program Pursuit — Students must complete a minimum number of credit hours each semester based on a full-time course load of 12 credit hours.
    • Associate in applied science degree students must complete 75 percent of the full-time credit load. Therefore, they must receive at least nine credits per semester (.75 x 12 = 9).
    • Bachelor’s degree students must complete 100 percent of a full-time credit load (12 credit hours) each semester.
    • Graduate degree students must complete 100 percent of a full-time credit load (12 credit hours) unless they have an assistant-ship. Graduate students with an assistantship should see the section on credit hour load in the graduate academic policies section of this catalog for the definition of full-time status.
  • C Average — Students having completed their second academic year (or 24 payment points) must have a cumulative C (2.000) average to retain their New York State TAP Award.

The charts below list the credit hours a student must complete and the grade point average a student must maintain to receive the award payment.

For students pursuing an associate degree program at ESF:

Payment Credit Hours Grade Point Average
#1 0 .000
#2 3 .500
#3 9 .750
#4 18 1.300
#5 30 1.500
#6 45 1.700
#7 60 2.000
#8 75 2.000

Noncredit remedial instruction can be counted toward a full-time academic load as set forth in 145-2.1 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The number of credits in this chart refers to work completed toward the degree.

For students pursuing a bachelor’s degree program at ESF:

Payment Credit Hours Grade Point Average
#1 0 .000
#2 3 .500
#3 9 .750
#4 18 1.200
#5 30 2.000
#6 45 2.000
#7 60 2.000
#8 75 2.000
#9 90 2.000
#10 105 2.000

Noncredit remedial instruction can be counted toward a full-time academic load as set forth in 145-2.1 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The number of credits in this chart refers to work completed toward the degree.

For students pursuing any graduate degree program at ESF:

Payment Credit Hours Grade Point Average
#1 0 .000
#2 6 2.000
#3 12 2.500
#4 21 2.750
#5 30 3.000
#6 45 3.000
#7 60 3.000
#8 75 3.000
Waivers for New York State Awards

Students who fall below the credit or grade point average requirements listed on the associated charts may apply for a waiver. Students are allowed only one waiver during undergraduate work, and only one waiver during graduate work. A waiver will be granted only after the student and College officials agree that such an issuance is in the best interest of the student. The waiver is not automatic. The waiver must be filed within the academic period it should cover. Requests for waivers are made through the Director of Financial Aid.

Waivers for the "C" average requirement may be granted only when failure to meet this requirement is due to:

  • the death of a relative of the student;
  • the personal injury or illness of the student;
  • other extenuating circumstances.
Requests for the "C" waiver are also requested through the Director of Financial Aid.

Last updated on September 12, 2007


State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
SUNY-ESF | 1 Forestry Drive | Syracuse, NY 13210 | 315-470-6500
Copyright © 2008 | Information | Webmaster