Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
I. SAP Okay
You must meet three requirements to be considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to receive financial aid.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0.
This is the Qualitative Measure. A, B, C, D, RD, and F grades are used to calculate a student's GPA. Transferable units from prior colleges are not included in the GPA calculation. (If all classes are taken on a credit/non-credit basis, the GPA requirement will not apply). - Receive credit for at least 67% of the total units attempted.
This is the Quantitative Measure (Pace of Progression). Withdrawals (W), Incompletes (I or IP), No Credit (N, NC or NP), Report Delay (RD) and Failing (F) grades are considered units attempted. - Have attempted less than 150% of the maximum cumulative units required for completion of their program.
This is the Maximum Timeframe.
For example:
Most certificate programs: 30 units are needed to graduate; the maximum timeframe to complete the program would be 45 attempted units.
Most degree and transfer programs: 60 units or more are needed to graduate; the maximum timeframe to complete the program would be 90 attempted units- Up to 30 units of remedial coursework may be excluded from the student's cumulative units attempted.
- All repeated coursework and courses disregarded under Academic Renewal will be included in units attempted.
- All units from prior colleges will be included when determining a student's maximum timeframe. The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to require official academic transcripts from all prior colleges attended before determining a student's financial aid eligibility.
- If at any point in time it is determined that the student cannot complete their course of study within the maximum timeframe, the student will be immediately disqualified from future financial aid for the remainder of his or her program, even if he or she is meeting the current SAP standards outlined above.
II. Financial Aid Warning
If you do not meet all cumulative academic requirements outlined in Step I or 2 at the end of a graded semester, you will be placed on Warning status.
If you are placed on warning status, you may continue to receive financial aid for one semester. After which you must meet the requirements outlined in SAP okay.
If you complete a semester on warning, you must have your academic progress reviewed before your financial aid eligibility for the following semester is determined. Due to the short time period between semesters, there will be at least a three week delay in the notification of eligibility. If eligible, any disbursements of student aid will also be delayed.
III. Financial Aid Disqualification
If you do not meet all cumulative academic requirements outlined in Step 1 or 2 at the end of the warning semester, you will be placed on Financial Aid Disqualification. Generally, a student who is disqualified from financial aid may reestablish financial aid eligibility by meeting all cumulative SAP criteria. Students placed on Disqualification status are not eligible to receive financial aid except for a California College Promise Grant, if eligible. If you complete a semester on disqualification, you must have your academic progress reviewed before your financial aid eligibility is determined for the following semester. Due to the short time period between semesters, there will be at least a three week delay in the notification of eligibility. If eligible, any disbursements of student aid will also be delayed.
IV. Appealing Financial Aid Disqualification
Under certain conditions, students placed on disqualification may file an appeal for consideration of reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. The following are examples of reasons you may file an appeal:
- Unable to complete their course of study within the maximum time frame because of a change of academic major
- Documented injury, illness or medical condition requiring a doctor's care
- Death of an immediate family member (copy of death certificate is required)
- Documented extenuating circumstances that were beyond the student's control
The following are Not considered extenuating circumstances beyond your control:
- Personal problems not requiring professional intervention
- Poor time management
- Unaware of academic progress policies or other college requirements
- Not following placement test recommendations
- Not following an Academic Counselor's recommendations
- Transportation problems
- Child care problems
To file an appeal, the student must submit an Appeal for Financial Aid for Extension, academic plan, and a typed statement to their campus's Financial Aid Office. The typed statement must indicate the circumstance(s) that prevented the student from making SAP and what has changed to allow the student to make SAP at the next evaluation. Supporting documentation must be submitted for any semesters where there was a lack of progress.
The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to limit the number of academic appeals a student may file to one appeal per semester. Non-disclosure of information such as other colleges attended is a basis for denial. Once denied, you may not be allowed to submit another appeal until the next semester. All decisions made by the Appeal Committee are final and there is no higher appeal process.
V. Approved Appeals
Students on an approved appeal are considered to be on Probation. If you are on Probation, you must meet all of the following requirements each semester to maintain financial aid eligibility:
- Be enrolled in and attending an eligible program for the purpose of completing an AA/AS degree, transfer requirement, or certificate program,
- Follow the academic plan outlined by the Appeal Committee,
- Receive credit for at least 67% of the total units attempted, And
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0
(If all classes are taken on a credit/non-credit basis, the GPA requirement will not apply).
Students who complete a semester on Probation must have their academic progress reviewed before their financial aid eligibility for the following semester is determined. Due to the short time period between semesters, there will be at least a three week delay in the notification of eligibility. If eligible, any disbursements of student aid will also be delayed. If you meet all requirements during the Probation semester, the Probation status will continue for the following semester, unless you reach MTF and therefore are disqualified.
