Maximum Time-frame
Students must complete their degree within a specified amount of credits. This standard will depend on the student’s enrollment status and degree. The table below shows how different grades and courses are counted towards the Maximum-Time Frame allowance.
No student may exceed the federal limit of 150% of the published length of their educational program. Students will be notified and will need to appeal for financial aid when they are approaching 150%.
Example: A Graduate student that is required to complete 30 credits to graduate will be eligible for financial aid up to 37 credits. A Doctoral student pursuing a degree that requires 90 credits to graduate will be eligible up to 112 credits.
| Grade Earned | Counted towards Maximum Time-Frame |
| A, B, C, D (=/-) | Yes |
| P, X, EQ | Yes |
| F, NG, NR | Yes |
| I, WG, WP | Yes |
| RG | Yes |
| Grades removed by medical withdrawl or academic relief | Yes |
| Transfer Hours | Yes |
| Withdrawl after census date | Yes |
When pursuing a doctoral degree, and the student has received a master's degree at Virginia Tech, all master's hours will count towards maximum credit hours. This is because some master's classes can be counted towards the doctorate. The student may be asked to complete a SAP appeal and SAP Advisor Form.