Kussad Institute of Court Reporting

Purpose

Kussad Institute of Court Reporting (KICR) is required by the Department of Education to establish standards for measuring Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students to be eligible for Title IV aid. These policies are effective for all currently enrolled students and new students.  The effective date is July 1, 2011. 

A student must meet the requirements of the financial aid SAP policy to be eligible for federal financial aid assistance at KICR. In addition, the grading policy required by the State of Texas under Title 40, Texas Administrative Code, section 807.241-245 is still in effect. Please see Page 10 of the catalog for full details.

Overview

Students who receive financial aid are expected to make academic progress as outlined on Page10 of the school catalog as a condition to be eligible for federal financial aid. At every disbursement, and in accordance with the quantitative schedule defined below, the Financial Aid Office performs a review of a financial aid recipient's academic file.

A student's entire academic history as recorded on their academic record with KICR is reviewed as a requirement of timely progression toward graduation, regardless of having received financial aid or not in the past for that course work.

All financial aid recipients must meet the following:

-Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

- Satisfactorily complete 67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted according to the schedule for Speedbuilding Courses outlined in the KICR Catalog. Academic classes may be repeated only one time. Complete the Court Reporting Program within the maximum timeframe of clock hours/credit hours allowed. 

I. Definition of Qualitative Measure (GPA)

Students are required to maintain a minimum qualitative measure of progress defined as cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). The qualitative measure is the KICR cumulative grade point average (GPA) measured at the end of a student's payment period. Student GPA requirements are 2.0 for the court reporting program. Completion of this program results in a diploma. Transfer credits are not considered in the qualitative measure for GPA.

II. Definition of Quantitative Measure (Rate of Progress)

See SAP policy in catalog.  This measure is the pace at which a student is progressing towards the completion of all hours scheduled each payment period according to the scheduled rate of progress listed above. 

Federal financial aid regulations require that a student's entire academic history be considered in reviewing the progress for a diploma in the court reporting program. 

Transfer credits, which have been accepted from other colleges and other court reporting schools are required to be considered in the number of attempted and completed clock hours. 

The speed chart in the catalog is measured in the QA level and is used as a basic standard with Jury Charge 20 words per minute slower, and Literary 40 words per minute slower. The student is required to take 12 credits per quarter.

III. Definition of Maximum Time Frame (Completion)

Each student enrolled in a court reporting program is eligible for federal financial assistance for a maximum number of weeks specific to the completion of the graduation requirements. Students are required to complete the progress as outlined under the Definition of Quantitative Measure to ensure completion within a maximum time frame.

The maximum time frame to complete the court reporting program is a 150% of the published length of the program, which is 3000 clock hours approximately 36 months (144 weeks).  If the maximum of 216 weeks for the program are exceeded, the student is considered financial aid ineligible. 

Monitoring Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress is determined each quarter. Students meeting the GPA and Rate of Progress are considered to be in good standing and retain their aid eligibility. 

Financial Aid Warning

If at the end of the quarter the student is not making satisfactory progress, the student will be placed on academic warning for the subsequent quarter.

A student on financial aid warning may continue to receive financial aid for one quarter despite a determination that the student is not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (either qualitative or quantitative measurements).

Financial Aid Ineligible

A student becomes INELIGIBLE for financial aid if in the quarter following a quarter defined as warning, he/she fails to meet the qualitative (GPA) or quantitative (Rate of Progress) measures of the SAP policy.

The student may appeal his/her ineligible status. A student whose appeal is approved will be defined as on PROBATION and may receive aid for one term. The student must then meet the SAP policy in order to be reinstated for financial aid. 

Financial Aid Probation

A student on Financial Aid PROBATION is defined as one who is not making SAP and has appealed; the appeal of ineligibility is approved. The status of probation is given for the next period of enrollment to demonstrate SAP. The student must then meet the SAP policy in order to receive future terms of aid.

A student who is unable to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy in one probationary quarter must submit an appeal that includes an approved Academic Plan to be considered for probation. The student may be approved for aid based on the terms of the Academic Plan.

Termination of Aid

Students in an INELIGIBLE status to receive financial aid will be sent notification that future financial aid disbursements will be terminated.  In order to remain an enrolled student, the student would need to meet his financial obligations to the school through his/her own personal resources.  A student's current SAP status is available upon request from the Director.  Please allow 10 days for a response in writing.

Re-Gaining Eligibility

Students in an INELIGIBLE status or who have been denied financial aid may regain eligibility by doing the following:

Submit a written appeal.

Student may use their own personal financial resources to pay for the quarter's tuition (as long as the requirements of the State of Texas have been met as outlined on page 10 in the catalog.) and the student brings his/her academic record up to acceptable SAP requirements.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Guidelines

Students who fail to meet these standards and lose eligibility for financial aid can appeal the decision. The appeal must be prepared in writing and must be accompanied by the appropriate supporting documents within the 10 days of the date of the notification of the termination of aid.

Appeals will be evaluated by the Review Committee. The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form outlines some mitigating circumstances.

Reasons that may be acceptable according to The Department of Education for the appeal are: (1) serious illness or accident on the part of the student; (2) death, accident or serious illness in the immediate family; and (3) other extenuating circumstances.

The reasonableness of the student's ability for improvement to meet the appropriate standard for the court reporting program will be taken into consideration.

The appeal must include:

- Why the student failed to demonstrate SAP.

- What has changed in the student's situation which will allow the student to demonstrate SAP at the next evaluation.

- Students appealing Financial Aid Ineligibility may be requested to submit an Academic Plan that ensures achievement of at least the required 67% completion pace, the minimum required GPA, and/or graduation by a specified time frame. This decision and subsequent action taken on a financial aid appeal is final.

Appeal Form

This form must be completed by the student accurately.  Information is requested from the student as to what plans are in place to ensure satisfactory progress for future payment periods.

- All questions must be completed on the appeal form in order to be considered by the Review Committee.

- The appeal and all supporting documentation must be received within 10 days of the date of the ineligible status notification for financial aid ineligiblity.

- The decision and action taken by the Review Committee is final and may not be appealed to the Department of Education.

Notification to Students

The institution will notify the student of the results of a SAP review which impacts the student's eligibility for Title IV aid.  This notice will be sent by mail and a copy of the conference form signed by the student at school will be placed in the student's file. 

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