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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
(Updated October 2006)

In order to receive financial aid, all students must meet the following minimum standards of academic progress.  Satisfactory progress is evaluated by the length of time it takes to complete your program of study AND your cumulative grade point average (GPA). Financial Aid recipients must also be in good academic standing (see definition below).

The Financial Aid Office at STCC evaluates satisfactory progress at the end of each semester.  Federal regulations require that all attempted courses are included in this evaluation. Attempted courses include credits earned while attempting a prior degree, courses forgiven under Fresh Start Status (see definition below), remedial, repeated, and transferred courses.

Minimum standards of evaluation

• Be in good Academic Standing (not be Suspended from the college)
• Maintain the following minimum QPA
• Do not exceed 150% of the total number of credits required for your program
• Successfully complete 67% of credits attempted each semester
  • Successful grades  are  A, B, C, D
  • Unsuccessful grades are  I, F, FA, W

Academic Standing

In order to graduate from STCC, all students must maintain a minimum QPA. Only college level courses applicable to the student’s program of study are included. Students on academic suspension are not eligible for financial aid. The Policy on Academic Standing is administered through the Student Success Center and applies to all students enrolled in a degree or certificate program. 

Evaluating Quality Point Average (QPA)

You must maintain the minimum QPA in order to receive financial aid.  Unlike Academic Standing, the Financial Aid Office evaluates all attempted courses when calculating your cumulative QPA.  

Only grades of  A, B, C, D, and F have a point value and are included in the evaluation

Total # of credits attempted	Minimum cumulative QPA
12	1.0 – 1.499 (one semester of Probation)
13 +	1.5
27+	1.7
42+	1.9
60+	2.0

Evaluating length of time to complete your program of study

You must demonstrate that you are progressing towards graduation by completing your current degree or certificate program within a reasonable length of time.  This is measured in 2 ways – by the percentage of passing grades at the end of each term and the length of time it takes you to complete your program

• You must successfully complete at least 67% of the credits attempted each semester
• You will receive a Warning letter after the first semester you do not successfully complete 67% of attempted credits
• If you do not complete 67% at the end of the following semester, your status is Unsatisfactory
•  If you enroll for less than 6 credits you must successfully complete all of those courses
• The maximum length of time to earn your degree or certificate is measured in credits hours
  • You cannot exceed 150% of the number of credits required to earn your degree or certificate program. For example, if you need 60 credits to graduate in your current program of study, you can attempt up to 90 credits
  • Remedial, transfer, incomplete, withdrawn, repeated credits, credits earned while attempting a prior degree, and courses forgiven under Fresh Start Status are included in the total number of attempted credits

Treatment of Fresh Start Status

You may apply for Fresh Start status as part of the Admissions process if you’ve had academic problems AND have been away from STCC for at least 2 years. All prior credits attempted at STCC that meet the degree and grade requirements of the current program will not be included in your QPA.  The SAP policy includes the original grades.

Treatment of remedial coursework

You may attempt up to 30 credits of remedial coursework. You are not eligible to receive financial aid for attempted remedial credits beyond the 30-credit limit.  For example, you have already completed 30 credits of remedial coursework.  You are currently enrolled in 12 credits of which 3 credits are for a remedial course.  Your financial aid award will be based on 9 credits.

Treatment of English as a Second Language

Additional consideration will be given to students who attempt remedial ESL courses.  You may attempt up to 45 additional remedial ESL courses.

Repeated Courses

The Financial Aid Office will follow college guidelines for repeated courses.

Multiple Programs

If you transfer into a new program, or graduate and are accepted into a new program of study, credits previously attempted will be counted toward the maximum of 150%.  If you have attempted too many credits and are enrolled in a new program, you will be required to submit a Plan of Study.

Notification of SAP status

If your status is Warning, Probation, or Unsatisfactory after SAP is calculated, your financial aid will be cancelled or processing of an incomplete file will stop.  You will receive a letter of notification in the mail.

Appeal Process

You may file an appeal if your unsatisfactory status was due to extenuating circumstances. You must explain in detail why you failed to meet the minimum standards and explain how your issues have been resolved.  Examples of extenuating circumstances may include:

• Medical reasons
• Personal or family problems
• Change of major
• Military service

If your reason was medical, you must attach a letter from your health care provider.  Please attach all other supporting documentation, including letters from 3^rd parties such as a counselor, to the Appeal Form and submit the form to the FAO within one week from the date of the notification letter. No action will be taken on an incomplete Appeal Form.

If you attempted too many credits, you must meet with your Faculty Advisor, Counselor, or contact the Student Success Center to evaluate your academic progress and determine what courses are necessary to complete your degree requirements. Please have this College Official complete and sign the Plan of Study Form. The Plan of Study must include the number of credits needed to graduate in your current program of study and the anticipated graduation date. Attach the Plan of Study Form to the Appeal Form and submit to the Financial Aid Office.

If you are on Academic Suspension, you must contact the Student Success Center.

Notification of Appeal

You will be notified in approximately 2 weeks after receipt of the appeal.  If the appeal is approved, your financial aid will be reinstated or processing of your file will continue.  The Financial Aid Office has the right to limit the number of credits for which you may enroll.  If your appeal is approved based on a Plan of Study, you will only receive financial aid for those courses listed on the Plan of Study and not to exceed the expected date of graduation.  You must notify the Financial Aid office if you subsequently change your major.  At the end of Add/Drop, the Financial Aid Office will review your course schedule for the semester. If restrictions were placed on your enrollment and you are not following those restrictions, your financial aid will be cancelled immediately.

If your appeal is approved and you don't maintain satisfactory progress for the subsequent semester, you will lose financial aid eligibility.  Action may not be taken on subsequent appeals.  If your appeal is denied, you are responsible for your own educational expenses.