Satisfactory Academic Progress

 Students cannot receive financial aid for more than 30 attempted credit hours of remedial coursework. 

Remedial courses count toward all SAP rules.

Students cannot appeal this policy.

Work very closely with your academic advisor! Students can repeat a previously passed class one time and receive financial aid for that repeated course.  A passing grade for financial aid purposes is a "D" or better.

Repeated courses will count in hours attempted and completed for the current semester and in the cumulative totals.  Former GPA will be replaced with new GPA. 

For example, if a student takes 12 credit hours and earns a D in one of those classes…the student will have earned 12 credits out of 12 attempted hours.  If the student repeats the class, the previous determination of status remains, the new GPA replaces the former GPA and the credit hours count as earned and attempted for the completion rate and maximum time frame rules.

 Audited courses do not count towards a student’s current enrollment status when determining financial aid awards.  Audited course hours are included in SAP calculations when determining completion rate and maximum time frame.

 Transfer students must request that all official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended be sent to the CCC Admissions and Records Office for evaluation.  The cumulative completion rate and overall number of credits transferred in will be evaluated.  If a transfer student’s cumulative completion rate is below 67% and/or their cumulative attempted hours exceeds 150% of the maximum time frame for their degree and/or their most recent semester resulted in a zero GPA , the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and an appeal will be required.  All transfer credits count as both attempted and completed hours.

Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 (C average).  Progress is checked at the end of each semester.

Students ending the semester with a zero GPA (all F's, all W's or a combination) will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. 

Students enrolled in eligible degree/certificate programs cannot exceed 150 percent of the number of credits needed to complete the program.  For example, if a degree requires 60 credits, the student can attempt 60 credits x 150 percent or 90 credits before they are ineligible for financial aid.

 Attempted hours include all CCC classes, remedial hours, repeated hours, all transfer hours, military credit and proficiency exam credit. Withdrawals, failures, incompletes, and audit grades are also considered attempted hours.

 Financial aid will not be paid to students who have attempted 150 percent of the credit hours required unless approval has been granted by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. All terms of attendance, including periods when students did not receive financial aid, are counted in the total number of attempted credit hours.

 A student is ineligible for continued financial aid when he/she becomes mathematically impossible for him/her to complete his/her program within 150% of the length of the program.  Contact the financial aid office for additional information.

Progress is checked at the end of each semester. 

A student is ineligible for continued financial aid when it becomes mathematically impossible for him/her to complete his/her program within 150% of the published length of the program (even if they have not yet reached the 150% time frame).

Contact the financial aid office for additional information.

Progress is checked at the end of each semester.

 All degree/certificate students must comply with the minimum standards for Satisfactory Course Completion Rate of 67% regardless of the student previously receiving financial aid at CCC or any other institution of higher education.

 The 67% Satisfactory Completion Rate refers to the percentage of cumulative hours successfully completed (earned) in relation to cumulative hours attempted (including transfer hours).  Attempted hours include all CCC classes, remedial hours, repeated hours, all transfer hours, military credit and proficiency exam credit. Withdrawals, failures, incompletes, and audit grades are also considered attempted hours.

Progress is checked at the end of each semester. 

Students failing to make satisfactory academic progress for one term will be placed on Financial Aid Warning.  Students are still eligible to receive financial aid the next semester of enrollment.

Students failing to make satisfactory academic progress for two consecutive terms will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.  

Students ending the term with a Zero GPA will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.  

Students on Financial Aid Suspension are ineligible for future Title IV aid until they regain eligibility by meeting SAP standards or appeal and are reinstated.

Students have the right to appeal the denial of financial aid. Students must submit a letter of appeal outlining the following elements; 1) what the situation was during the time the student did not meet academic progress, 2)  what has changed in that situtation and 3) what are the students plans going forward to meet satisfactory academic progress. Students must also submit supporting documentation regarding the mitigating circumstances.

The  Financial Aid Appeals Committee review the appeal letters on a case-by-case basis and determine if the student’s circumstances warrant reinstating the student's financial aid.

Students can re-appeal a decision if they have updated documentation.