Satisfactory Academic Progress requires maintaining a GPA that meets the standard set forth by Temple Law School’s academic policies for successful completion of the JD and Law Graduate programs and that a specific number of completed credits are necessary each academic year to remain eligible for financial aid. The Law School Financial Aid Office is required by federal regulation to determine if a student is making acceptable progress toward completion of a degree for both the J.D. and Law Graduate level.
Temple Law School defines satisfactory academic progress as a student being in “good standing,” which includes up to two semesters of academic probation. The full and detailed Temple Law School Academic Policies and Procedures can be found here.
Eligibility Requirements
Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for all JD and Law Graduate (LLM and Masters of Science in Taxation) programs:
- Full-time / Day Division
- Must attempt at least 9 credit hours per semester (including any repeated course in the event of a failed course in a previous semester).
- Pass 75% of the credits for which student is registered and receive no more than one F or FA.
- Part-time / Evening Division
- Must attempt no fewer than 5 credit hours per semester (including any repeated course in the event of a failed course in a previous semester).
- Pass 75% of the credits for which student is registered and receive no more than one F or FA.
Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements specific to each law program:
- Law JD
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 every academic year
- Complete the JD degree no later than 12 semesters after beginning law studies either at Temple Law or at a law school from which Temple Law has accepted transfer credit.
- Law Graduate – except Tax LLM and Masters of Science in Taxation (MST)
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 every academic year.
- Must complete their degree no later than 3 semesters for full-time students and no later than 8 semesters for part-time students.
- Tax LLM and MST
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 every academic year.
- Must complete their degree no later than 4 semesters for full time students and 10 semesters for part time students.
Credits are considered successfully completed when a grade of A, B, C or D, S-, S, S+, Q, or H is earned. Withdrawals (W), Excuses (EX), and F/FA grades are not successfully completed credits. Transfer credits are treated as both attempted and completed credits.
Eligibility Determinations
Satisfactory academic progress is measured at the end of each academic year to determine future student aid eligibility. The academic year consists of summer, fall and spring. Therefore, the Law School Financial Aid Office will review satisfactory academic progress after all spring grades have been posted.
Students who meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements in their specific law school program (as stated above), are eligible for continued student aid assistance for upcoming enrollment.
Students who do not meet the minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress by the end of each academic year will lose federal financial aid eligibility, which includes federal work study, and the ability to borrow from the Federal Direct Loan and the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan.
The Law School Office of Financial Aid will notify ineligible students prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. The notification will also provide information on how to reinstate financial aid eligibility.
Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility
If students fail to meet the minimum academic progress standards, they may regain financial aid eligibility by attending the summer or a subsequent semester at their own expense to make up the deficiency or by filing an appeal based on extenuating circumstances.
Appeals
A student may submit an appeal to regain financial aid eligibility based on extenuating circumstances, such as the death of a close relative, medical illness or personal injury, mental health challenges, or other circumstances. The student must be able to demonstrate that the extenuating circumstance had a direct impact on their academic performance. Students should submit a written appeal to the Law School Financial Aid Office and it should be addressed to the Assistant Dean of Law School Admissions and Financial Aid.
Appeals should be accompanied by an academic plan and will be reviewed in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Students (JD students) or Assistant Dean for Graduate and International Law Programs (Law Graduate students). If the appeal of progress is approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation.
Academic Dismissal
All academic records are reviewed at the end of each academic year. Law students who do not achieve the minimum cumulative GPA for their program will be academically dismissed. Academically dismissed students are ineligible for financial aid.
Re-Admitted Student
Academic readmission does not automatically grant reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. Prior academic performance will be considered when determining satisfactory academic progress for aid eligibility. However, if there are special circumstances, a re-admitted student may request reinstatement of aid eligibility by submitting a written appeal to the Law School Financial Aid Office.