IMPORTANT ACCESS POLICIES
Academic Policies related to your Eligibility
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ACCESS relies heavily on your Federal and state financial aid. In order to be eligible for Federal, state, and institutional financial aid, a student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward the completion of a degree. When a student is not meeting the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements, the student will be notified that he/she is not eligible to receive financial aid until eligibility is regained. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of their satisfactory academic progress status.
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Situations to be aware of:
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A student who ceases to attend all classes prior to the end of an academic term, and does not officially withdraw by notifying the Registrar’s Office, will automatically receive a “Failing” grade on each enrolled course. This is considered an “unofficial withdraw.” If a student receives all F’s in one semester due to an unofficial withdraw, or other factors, he/she will not be eligible for financial aid (or ACCESS) in the following semester.
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Any student who receives all F’s during his/her first semester is academically suspended and will not be eligible for financial aid.
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All students must successfully complete 67% of their attempted cumulative credit hours at Appalachian for the end of each term in order to be eligible for financial aid. Example: At the end of a spring semester a student has attempted 32 credit hours. The student must have successfully completed 22 of those credit hours in order to remain eligible for their financial aid (and ACCESS).
Costs not covered by ACCESS
The program covers the cost of institutional charges (tuition, fees, room, board, and health insurance for those who need it) only; therefore, ACCESS does not cover such expenses as computers, parking permits, additional class supplies, books for those students who receive refund checks, spending money, etc. These costs can vary greatly from semester to semester, and ACCESS students will need to be prepared to cover these expenses.
On-Campus Housing
All ACCESS students are guaranteed a room on campus as long as you stay eligible for ACCESS. However, once you move off campus, you forfeit this privilege. Therefore, it is important that you carefully consider your decision to move off campus and explore all of the pros and cons before making a final decision.
Why do we feel you should stay on campus as long as possible? The living is easy! No transportation headaches, no bills, a meal plan, and quick access to classes, advisors, libraries, computers, etc. Students who live on campus are more likely to attend class regularly, participate in college activities, and have less financial stress. Visit your friends in their apartments, crash on their sofas, but stay on campus as long as possible.
Books
All ACCESS students’ rental books are covered since that fee is a part of your tuition and fees. Your supplemental (non-rental) books (books required for your classes that are not on the rental system) will also be covered UNLESS you receive a refund check from Financial Aid. You might receive a refund check if your financial aid award includes more than enough money to cover your tuition, fees, room, and board due to extra scholarships or grants that you have earned. If you do receive a refund check (issued during the first week of class), you are expected to use that money to purchase any supplemental books or supplies that you will need for class. You will receive an email from Beth Marsh or Adam Warren before classes start telling you whether or not ACCESS will be covering your supplemental books.
Working On-Campus
Unless your financial need is met with grants and outside scholarships, as a member of the ACCESS program, you will be offered an on-campus job through the Federal Work-Study program. We strongly encourage ACCESS students to accept this offer and apply for jobs as soon as possible. For more information about how to apply for on-campus jobs, go to the Working on Campus page.
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With a work-study job, students can work 6-10 hours per week and earn up to $2000 per academic year, in the form of bi-monthly paychecks, to cover some of their personal expenses. We also encourage our students to work over the summer in order to save money for the academic year.
Researchers have found that students who work a reasonable number of hours while enrolled in college tend to get better grades and are much more likely to stay in school than students who don't work (or who work too many hours). Work-Study provides excellent work experience that can help the students build their resumes and references while also allowing them to remain focused on their education. The Work-Study award will be indicated in your financial aid award letter. Students will need to follow the directions to accept/decline the offer.