150 percent of normal time

The institution determines normal time for each program and multiplies by 1.5. Completers within that window are counted in the numerator of the graduation rate; the full entering cohort is the denominator. For SAP, attempted credits are compared with 150 percent of the credits required. Students who exceed the limit lose Title IV eligibility unless an appeal is approved. Disclosures publish the resulting rate.

Example: a bachelor’s program’s normal time is four years. The 150 percent window is six years. Of 500 full-time first-time students who entered in fall 2018, 275 completed by summer 2024. The 150 percent graduation rate is 55 percent. A student who has attempted 170 of 120 required credits is approaching the 180-credit SAP limit.

100 percent of normal time is a stricter window used in some Outcome Measures displays. 200 percent appears in extended Outcome Measures. Maximum timeframe applies the 150 percent concept to individual aid eligibility. Normal time is the baseline; 150 percent is the extended benchmark.

Comparing a 150 percent rate with a 100 percent rate from another institution. Assuming the six-year window applies to all programs regardless of normal time. Treating the 150 percent graduation rate as including part-time or transfer students (the IPEDS GR rate does not).