STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require Calhoun Community College (CCC) to establish Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for student financial aid recipients. These regulations require that your entire CCC record be reviewed for satisfactory academic progress, including terms for which you did or did not receive financial aid.
CCC Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress measure a student’s performance in the following three areas: completion rate, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and maximum time frame. The Office of Student Financial Services is responsible for ensuring that all students who receive federal and state aid are meeting these standards. The Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress apply for all Title IV financial assistance programs including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study (FWS), Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Family Education Loans (Stafford and PLUS), as well as assistance from the state.
In addition, students who completely withdraw are subject to the CCC Return of Title IV Funds Policy. This federal policy requires Title IV financial aid recipients who completely withdraw from classes prior to completing 60% of any given term to repay a portion of any grants and loans received to the Title IV financial aid programs.
Completion Rate
Each year, a student’s academic progress will be reviewed by comparing the number of attempted credit hours with the credit hours earned. This includes any course for which the student has remained enrolled past the Drop/Add period. The academic records of all students are reviewed based on: (1) the number of semester credit hours attempted and percentage of credit hours completed; (2) cumulative grade point average (GPA); and (3) maximum time frame allowed for completing the degree requirements.
The following are considered when evaluating a student's satisfactory academic progress:
- Withdrawals (W, WP and WF), incompletes (I and IP) and failures (F) are considered attempted but not earned hours.
- Repeated courses and courses for which the student has been granted academic bankruptcy are included in the calculation of both attempted and earned hours. A student is allowed to repeat a course only twice.
- Audited courses are not considered credits attempted or earned. Students can not use Title IV funds to pay for audited courses.
- Transfer credits do not count in the calculation of the GPA, but they are included in the calculation of both attempted and earned hours.
Financial aid recipients must maintain the following cumulative GPA's in order to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements:
Measure of Progress
|
|
Hours Attempted |
% of Hours to be Completed |
Cumulative GPA |
| 12-21 |
58% |
1.50 |
| 22-32 |
62% |
1.75 |
| 33-66 |
66% |
2.00 |
| 67 and above |
75% |
2.00 |
Maximum Time Frame
A student's eligibility for financial aid will be terminated at the point where 96 credit hours have been attempted for an associate degree, and when 150 percent of the total hours required, as stated in the College catalog, have been attempted for a certificate. All attempted hours are counted, including transfer hours, whether or not financial aid was received or the course was successfully completed. A maximum of 20 semester credit hours of remedial courses will be excluded from the 96 semester credit hour determination. Title IV funds will only pay for 20 credit hours of remedial courses.
Academic Progress Evaluation
A financial aid recipient ' s satisfactory academic progress is evaluated at the beginning of each academic year (Fall Semester), at the time of enrollment or each semester if the student is on financial aid probation. At that time, a student will either be in good standing, be placed on financial aid probation, or denied financial assistance for future enrollment periods. The student must meet all three progress requirements (completion rate, GPA, and be within the maximum time frame) to remain in good standing. Students will be notified by the Student Financial Services Office if they are placed on probation or denial status for financial aid.
Probation
Students not meeting the SAP requirements will be placed on financial aid probation. Probation status will not prevent the student from receiving financial aid. The probationary semester is meant to inform the student of potential academic problems and provide time for corrective action. Students will be placed on financial aid probation for failing to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements. Students not meeting the requirements below during the probationary period will be denied from receiving financial aid. Denial status will prevent the student from receiving any Title IV and/or state financial assistance for future enrollment until such time as the student meets all satisfactory academic progress standards.
Students on financial aid probation must earn grades of ÔC' or better in each class, with no withdrawals (grades of W, WP, WF, I and IP calculate as hours attempted in Financial Aid SAP Policy).
Appeal and Reinstatement
Students may appeal their denial status by submitting an Appeal Form to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Appeal Forms may be picked up in the Student Financial Services Office or by going to the printable forms section.
To appeal the financial aid denial, a student must, within 15 calendar days of notification, submit to the 1Student Financial Services office a signed Appeal Form explaining why he or she should not be suspended. A student may appeal due to mitigating circumstances (medical problems, illness, or death in the family, or employment changes). Documentation verifying the situation may be requested. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will consider the appeal and render a decision, which the Director of Student Financial Services will convey in writing to the student within two weeks of the student's appeal.
Decisions made by the Financial Aid Committee are final.
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