If students fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined above, they may be awarded assistance for one additional payment period to re-establish "satisfactory" standing. Students who successfully complete a minimum full-time course load during this period will again be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. Students who fail to successfully complete a minimum full-time course load during this period will remain ineligible for any additional assistance during subsequent quarters, unless they (1) while ineligible, successfully complete a minimum full-time course load for one payment period at Northwestern or (2) within two weeks of their notification of ineligibility, present to the Office of Financial Aid evidence of unusual circumstances, which are deemed by the staff sufficient to justify an exception to this policy.

The above procedure will be followed except when students (1) are academically dismissed from the University according to the academic policies of their particular school and program or (2) have already been in attendance at Northwestern for 12 quarters or the equivalent (unless the course of study normally requires more than 12 quarters of enrollment). As to the first case, students will be eligible for federal financial assistance during the first quarter of full-time study on returning to Northwestern in order to reestablish "satisfactory academic progress". On successful completion of a minimum full-time course load with a 2.0 grade point average, they will again be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress and will be eligible for both federal and institutional financial assistance in subsequent quarters. As to the second case, students are ineligible for financial assistance from University funds beyond the 12th quarter, even if they are maintaining satisfactory academic progress. However, the Committee on Financial Aid to Students may decide to continue aid when unusual circumstances exist and students demonstrate academic promise.

More information on Northwestern's policy regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08, pages 21-22.