2009 - 2010 Academic Catalog - Westminster Theological Seminary

{Financial Information}
disbursement date may be up to 30 days before the beginning of
the student’s second term period (10 days for EFT and master
check disbursements). If the loan application is certified beyond
the halfway point of the loan period, a single disbursement may
be requested.
Academic Year Definition
Westminster’s academic year includes a minimum of 30 weeks (15
weeks for the fall semester and 15 weeks for the spring semester),
during which period a full-time student is expected to complete
a minimum of 24 credits. If for any reason the academic year is
less than 30 weeks and the Seminary can show good cause for the
reduction, the Seminary must file for a waiver from the Secretary
of Education.
In no case will the academic year be less than 28 weeks in
duration.
Academic Year Definition for Purposes
of Annual Loan Limits:
• Summer term: 4-12 weeks or 1-3 months
– Hebrew, part 1: 3 weeks minimum
– Hebrew, part 2: 3 weeks minimum
– Greek, part 1: 4 weeks or 1 month
• Fall semester: 15 weeks or 4 months
• Winter term: 4 weeks or 1 month
• Spring semester: 15 weeks or 4 months
Student Eligibility
In order to maintain eligibility for a FFELP loan, a student must maintain
the following satisfactory academic progress requirements:
1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA):
Program Minimum Cumulative GPA
• M.Div., M.A.R., or M.A - 1.76 (after completing 24 credit
hours) and raised to 1.80 or above in order to graduate
• Th.M. - 3.00 (after completing 3 courses)
• Ph.D. - 3.00 (after completing 3 courses)
• D.Min. - 3.00 average in order to graduate
2. Enrollment Status: at least half-time as defined in the Enrollment
Status chart (below)
3. Academic Progress: progress at a satisfactory rate as defined
in the chart on the page 155.
Enrollment Status
Master’s
Th.M.
Ph.D.
D.Min.
Full-time
12 or more
credit hours
3 courses or
2 semesters
after course
work is
completed
3 courses or
4 semesters
after course
work
First three
years
Three
quartertime
9 credit
hours
N/A
N/A
N/A
Half-time
6 credit
hours
2 courses
per semester
or 3 through
6 semesters
after full-time
2 courses,
5 semesters
after course
work, or 8
years after
official start
of program
Fourth and
fifth years
Note: This chart is used to determine status for students
receiving or applying for FFELP funds.
Less than
half-time
3 credit
hours
7 or more
semesters
after full
time
1 course
and/or 8
years after
official start
of program
Sixth and
subsequent
years
If the student does not meet these standards due to the student
having undergone undue hardship because of the death of
a relative of the student, injury or illness of the student, or other
special circumstances as determined by the Director of Financial
Aid, Westminster may waive this requirement.
2009–2010
153