Financial aid recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to receive financial aid. The Financial Aid Office performs a SAP evaluation at the end of each enrollment period and notifies the student via email and postal mail of their SAP status. A student’s entire academic history is considered in determining eligibility which includes periods when financial aid was not received.
Requirements
In accordance with regulations set forth from The U.S. Department of Education, financial aid recipients must maintain the required college grade point average of 2.0. In addition, students must successfully complete a minimum of 67% of all attempted credit hours in the active program of study. Attempted hours include all developmental courses, all withdrawals, incompletes and repeated courses. See the following example:
| # Credit hours student is originally enrolled | # Credit hours student must complete to meet 67% |
|---|---|
| 15 | 11 |
| 12 | 8 |
| 9 | 6 |
Maximum Timeframe Allowed
Maximum timeframe is reached when a student has attempted 150% of the credit hours required to complete a program of study. Financial aid recipients are required to complete a degree, diploma and/or certificate requirements within the maximum timeframe allowed or may be at risk of financial aid suspension. This is a requirement of the Department of Education and must be monitored for all financial aid recipients. The goal is to make sure students are using their financial aid effectively and progressing toward degree completion. All attempted credits count toward the 150% even if they are not required for the student’s current program of study. See the following examples:
| Program of Study | # Credit Hours to Complete Program | # Credit Hours Equaling 150% |
|---|---|---|
| Associate in Arts | 60 | 90 |
| Information Technology | 65 | 98 |
| Welding Technology Diploma | 36 | 54 |
| Early Childhood Education Certificate | 16 | 24 |
Note: Developmental courses are counted in the student’s attempted hours. Financial aid recipients may only use their student aid for no more than 30 credit hours of developmental coursework.
Students will be notified when they are nearing the maximum timeframe for completion of their program. If a student has exceeded 150% of their program of study, their financial aid will be suspended. Students who have a limited number of courses remaining to complete their program of study or have other special circumstances, may appeal the suspension by completing a Maximum Timeframe Appeal (PDF) form. Once completed, the Appeals Committee will review the appeal and make a determination regarding the student’s continued eligibility. Students will be notified in writing of the outcome within 10 business days.
Students can access and keep track of their Satisfactory Academic Progress by logging into their SCC Colleague Self-Service account.
Financial Aid Academic Warning
Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA of 2.0 and/or successfully complete the minimum cumulative credit hours of 67% at the end of each semester, will receive a written notice of academic warning by postal mail and posted in the student’s Self-Service account. Students on academic warning are eligible to receive financial aid for one additional semester. Students on academic warning are not permitted to preregister for the next semester until satisfactory academic progress is verified. Before students on academic warning are allowed to register for courses, they must meet with a Counselor in Student Services to review their academic progress and discuss strategies for improving academic success. Students who do not meet minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress during the next semester of enrollment may be subject to further sanctions and loss of financial aid.
Financial Aid Academic Suspension
Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA of 2.0 and/or successfully complete the minimum cumulative credit hours of 67% by the end of the academic warning period will be placed on academic suspension. Financial aid recipients on academic suspension are not eligible to receive Pell Grant and other state and federal funds.