Mar 29, 2024  
Policies and Procedures Manual 
    
Policies and Procedures Manual

04:25:00 Access Achievement Award


Revision Responsibility: Vice President for Student Services
Responsible Executive Officer:

Source/Reference:
Vice President for Student Services

TBR Policy 3:04:01:01

Purpose

This policy establishes the guidelines that govern eligibility to receive and maintain an Access Achievement Award.


Policy

  1. The Access Achievement Award is a scholarship program for students that participate in student activities such as athletics, debate, music or theater at Walters State Community College. First-time students or students that have attempted less than 12 credit hours of college level courses must have a 19 ACT score (or equivalent SAT) and a 3.0 high school unweighted Grade Point Average (GPA). Transfer students must have met the initial eligibility of 12 college credit hours and a 2.5 GPA, and meet renewal standards as listed below in item 4. For those students in which a high school GPA is not available (i.e. general high school equivalency credential), only the test score component listed above will be used to determine eligibility. In instances where an ACT or SAT is not present, eligibility will be determined by using the college’s current placement exam (i.e. Accuplacer). Subject area scores will be averaged and reviewed by admissions staff to determine equivalent college level readiness.
  2. The amount of the Access Achievement Award for each student will be determined by the activity facilitator as long as the total awards do not exceed that activity group’s allocation. The total dollar amount of each activity group is determined by the scholarship committee as presented by the college’s budget committee. Any remaining cost will be the responsibility of the student. Federal regulations do not allow students to receive federal or state aid beyond the college’s established cost of attendance; it may be necessary for the aid package to be reduced to prevent an over award situation. This scholarship amount and renewal are contingent upon funding.
  3. The student must maintain full-time enrollment status (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester excluding audit courses) to receive this award.
  4. Students must achieve a 2.5 cumulative college level GPA at the end of each semester. Students that fail to achieve the 2.5 cumulative college level GPA at the end of the first semester will be granted a probationary period if they have achieved at least a 2.0 cumulative college level GPA. However, all students must have a 2.5 cumulative college level GPA at the end of the first academic year or 24 attempted credit hours and maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the end of each subsequent semester. Additionally, students are required to meet Walters State Community College Standard of Conduct standards as defined by the institution. Students who fail to meet the GPA requirement or Standard of Conduct standards will lose their scholarship.
  5. A student may receive the Access Achievement Award a maximum of four semesters at Walters State unless the student is enrolled in a course of study that requires six semesters such as: nursing, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist assistant, surgical technology, or respiratory care.  In this event, the scholarship may be extended for an additional two semesters upon approval by the Financial Aid Office. Students must submit a Request for Reinstatement form to the Financial Aid Office along with a copy of proof of acceptance into the program on or before the first day of class in the subsequent term or fifth semester. The scholarship is not available during the summer semester.
  6. Students will have a one-time option to regain the Access Achievement Award if they lose the scholarship due to failure to meet the standards required to maintain eligibility. The student must submit a Request for Reinstatement form to the Financial Aid Office. Upon approval, the student will regain eligibility the first term after they have achieved or satisfied the required standard. Students that are placed on financial aid removal must file a financial aid appeal to be considered. Awards are not retroactive. Students who previously received the Academic Service Award who were removed due to not meeting the required standards also have a one-time option to regain the Access Achievement Award.
  7. Students receiving the Access Achievement Award may stack this scholarship with other Walters State Promise awards and Foundation scholarships.
  8. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office with questions regarding maintaining eligibility for the scholarship, including adjusting course schedule as this may impact future eligibility.
  9. The number of awards and total award amount is limited per activity group and is based on available funding.
  10. Athletes receiving any award amount must sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI). The number of available NLIs is limited per sport based on the NJCAA Eligibility Rules Pamphlet: Appendix B – NJCAA Sport Procedures.

All Access Achievement Awards are based on available funding.

Any exceptions to these policies must be approved by the President.

The preceding scholarship is established based on Tennessee Board of Regents Policy: 3:04:01:01, Section E, paragraph 1: The President or his/her designee is authorized to approve other scholarships/grants so long as the total amount of these and other academic scholarships and institutional grants funded under the policy do not exceed a maximum of 10% of total tuition and fees received by the institution in any one year.

05/16; 06/19;01/20; 07/22