Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Students who received federal financial aid (called Federal Title IV) and state aid are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards the completion of a certificate or degree program of study. SAP is an assessment of your cumulative academic record at the college, and has two parts:

1. Maintaining a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA), and
2. Completing a minimum number of courses without withdrawing or failing

1. The Minimum GPA and Completion Rate Required for SAP is:

All attempted credits resulting in either an academic grade or administrative transcript notation will be included in this calculation, including final grades, incomplete courses, course withdrawals, course repetitions, noncredit remedial courses, and transfer credits. Too many Is, Ms, Ns, Ws, NCs (NO CREDIT) may affect your eligibility.

What happens if I don't make SAP?

Your cumulative academic history will be evaluated prior to each term's financial aid disbursement. If you do not maintain the minimum GPA (see above) you will be placed on Warning or you will not be eligible for aid the following semester. If your aid is terminated, you will only be reinstated by showing SAP during the next semester.

How can I keep track of my SAP progress?

The Financial Aid Office will verify that you meet SAP requirements before it declares you eligible to receive aid. If you do not, you will be notified in writing. You may request information and advisement concerning SAP at any time.

Explanation of Terms

Financial Aid Warning   Occurs when a student fails to meet the minimum SAP criteria. Those on Financial Aid Warning:

• Will be notified by the college that they have been placed on Warning for the following semester of enrollment
• Must achieve the minimum SAP by the end of the Warning period to have aid reinstated

Failure to meet the minimum SAP during the Warning period will result in loss of eligibility for future aid from the College. The Financial Aid Office will communicate the termination status to the student and provide Reinstatement and Appeal instructions.

Maximum Credit Hours   A student may receive aid for any attempted credits in his/her program of study that do not exceed 150% of the published length of the student's educational program at the college. Examples include:

• A student enrolled in a 60-credit degree program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 90 attempted credit hours
• A student enrolled in a 30-credit certificate program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 45 attempted credit hours.

All credits attempted will be included in the calculation, including extra courses that result, who pursue a double major or have already earned a degree.

Reinstatement   A student may request to be reinstated after termination from aid by going through the appeal process. Reinstatement will only be granted once. In order to be reinstated, you must:

1. Apply for an appeal
2. If the SAP appeal is approved, a waiver will be extended to subsequent semesters, as long as there are no unsatisfactory grades after the waiver has been given.
3. Complete 100% of the course attempted for the semester with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
4. Cannot receive a W, I, M, N or F

Appeal Process   Students may appeal any decision under the SAP Policy. Appeals will be considered for emergency or extenuating circumstances, including:

• Illness or hospitalization
• Incapacitation
• Death or illness of a family member
• Other extenuating circumstances.

You must provide the Financial Aid Office with a written description of your reasons for appeal. You should also provide any supporting documents that may support your case.

Withdrawal from Classes   Students in danger of not maintaining SAP should meet with the Financial Aid Office for counseling and/or adjustment to their award before withdrawing from any courses. Failure to meet with a financial aid representative may result in Warning or termination from financial aid until we have confirmation that SAP has been met for the semester. Students in danger of not maintaining SAP should meet with the Financial Aid Office for counseling and/or adjustment to their award withdrawing from any courses. Failure to meet with a financial aid representative may result in or suspension from financial aid until we have confirmation that SAP has been met for the semester.