SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS DEFINED

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined as the minimum requirement a student must meet or exceed in order to receive federal, state, and/or institutional financial aid. Some financial aid programs may require more than the minimum SAP requirements.

QUALITATIVE PROGRESS

The Office of Financial Aid determines SAP by evaluating the cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a four-point scale based upon credit hours attempted.

The following grades are used in computing a cumulative GPA: A, B, C, D and F. Course repeats may also impact the cumulative GPA.

QUANTITATIVE PROGRESS

In addition to maintaining the above GPA requirements, the student must successfully complete at least 75% of all hours attempted.  The following grades are used in computing the percentage of course work completed:  A, B, C, D and F.  The following grades will not be used in computing the percentage of course work completed: CS, W, and I.

A continuing status, designated by a “CS,” requires that the student re-enroll the following semester. GPA and hours earned will be determined by the performance in that following semester.  “CS” indicates performance has not reached the level required for completing the course.  It is limited to developmental courses, which carry institutional credit only.

There are no limits on the number of developmental courses in which a student may enroll.  Non-credit developmental courses are not offered.  Developmental courses do not count toward the successful number of hours passed for graduation requirements.

A withdrawal, designated by a "W," will not affect the CGPA or quantitative standard.  A "W" removes the student from the class along with the hours attempted.  It is only available until one week after mid-term.

An incomplete course, designated by an “I,” will not affect the CGPA or the quantitative standard, although it may cause a student to remain on academic probation from a previous semester.  Incompletes must be completed within the specified time period.  If a course with an “I” is not completed within the specified time period, the incomplete will be changed to a grade of “F.” The failing grade will affect both the qualitative and quantitative standards.  Once an incomplete is changed to a letter grade, it will be calculated into the CGPA at the next evaluation checkpoint.

MAXIMUM TIME FRAME

The maximum time frame in which a full-time student is eligible for financial aid while completing a bachelor’s degree is six years or twelve semesters. The maximum time frame in which a full-time student is eligible for financial aid while completing an associate’s degree is three years or six semesters.

WHEN DETERMINED

The Office of Financial Aid conducts the SAP assessment at the conclusion of each spring semester. The college places a student who does not meet the minimum requirements for SAP on financial aid suspension beginning the fall semester of the next academic year.  Students who are attending summer school prior to the ineligibility period will still be allowed to receive financial aid.  The student is ineligible to regain financial aid until the student achieves SAP. This means that the student will have to bear the full cost of their education without financial aid until the student achieves SAP.

SEMESTERS EVALUATED

The evaluation period includes the summer semester and the following fall and spring semesters.

APPEAL PROCESS

The student may appeal a loss of financial aid by writing to the Director of Financial Aid for the Financial Aid Appeals Committee to consider cases of extreme and unusual circumstances.

REINSTATEMENT

Financial aid may be reinstated when the student meets the required cumulative GPA and/or when the student successfully completes at least 75% of all hours attempted.  Students are encouraged to meet with the Registrar and/or Academic Advisor to ensure that proper action is being taken to regain eligibility.  Once eligibility has been regained, the student should contact the Office of Financial Aid.