Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is evaluated for all students after every semester of enrollment, regardless of whether financial aid was received. 

Please note: The college's Satisfactory Progress, Probation, & Dismissal Policy may have different requirements.

I. General Requirements

Students must meet three requirements to maintain SAP and be considered for financial aid or reinstatement of financial aid:

1.  Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0. A, B, C, D, RD, and F grades are used to calculate a student’s Units from colleges outside SCCCD are not included in the GPA calculation. If all classes are taken on a credit/non-credit basis, the GPA requirement will not apply.
2. Receive credit for at least 67% of all units All grades, including Withdrawals (W), Extenuating Withdrawals (EW), Incompletes (I or IP), No Credit (N, NC or NP), Report Delay (RD) and Failing (F) grades are considered units attempted. Units from colleges outside SCCCD are not included in this calculation.
3. Complete their program before attempting 150% of the maximum units required. For example:

Most Certificates: 30 units are needed to graduate; the maximum timeframe (MTF) to complete the program would be 45 attempted units (30 x 150% = 45).

Most Associate Degrees: 60 units are needed to graduate; the MTF to complete the program would be 90 attempted units (60 x 150% = 90).

1.  Up to 30 units of remedial coursework may be excluded when determining MTF.
2. All SCCCD repeated coursework and courses disregarded under Academic Renewal will be included when determining MTF.
3. All units from colleges outside SCCCD that count towards the student’s current major will be included when determining MTF. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of any change of major. The Financial Aid Office may require official academic transcripts from all colleges outside SCCCD before determining eligibility.
4. Even if meeting the standards outlined in A and B, if it is determined that the student cannot complete their program within the MTF, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Disqualification

II. FINANCIAL AID WARNING

Students not meeting the requirements outlined in sections A and B at the end of a semester will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Students on Warning may continue to receive financial aid for one semester if otherwise eligible, after which they must meet all SAP requirements.

Students who complete a semester on Warning must have their academic progress reviewed before their financial aid eligibility for the following semester is determined. Due to the short time between semesters, there may be a delay in notification of eligibility. If eligible, disbursements of student aid may also be delayed.

III. FINANCIAL AID DISQUALIFICATION

Students not meeting all requirements at the end of their Warning semester and students exceeding MTF will be placed on Financial Aid Disqualification. Students on disqualification are not eligible to receive most financial aid. Certain awards, including the California College Promise Grant, have different eligibility requirements.

IV. REESTABLISHING AID ELIGIBILITY

Students on disqualification may reestablish financial aid eligibility, if they have not reached MTF, by meeting a cumulative 2.0 GPA, and receiving credit for at least 67% of the total units attempted within SCCCD.

V. GRADE CHANGES

The Financial Aid Office will recalculate student eligibility due to grade changes at the next semester’s SAP evaluation, unless the student notifies the Financial Aid Office.

VI. APPEALING FINANCIAL AID DISQUALIFICATION

Students not meeting SAP standards will be notified via their student email after every term of enrollment and provided with information and steps to file an appeal.

Under certain conditions, students placed on Disqualification may file an appeal for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. The institution may consider a broad range of special circumstances deemed appropriate. Supporting documentation may be requested.

 A student may file one appeal per semester.

VII. APPROVED APPEALS

Students with approved appeals are placed on Financial Aid Probation. If all of the following requirements during the Probation semester are met, the Probation status will continue for the following semester:

1. Be enrolled in and pursuing an eligible program for the purpose of completing an AA/AS degree, transfer requirement, or certificate program,
2. Follow the academic plan outlined by the Appeal Committee,
3. Receive credit for at least 67% of the units attempted,
4. Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0, and
5. Not exceed MTF. (This requirement does not apply to students with approved MTF appeals.)

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 between semesters, there may be a delay in notification of eligibility. If eligible, disbursements may also be delayed.

VIII. DENIED APPEALS

The institution shall provide a second review process for an appeal that is denied, if requested by the student. The second review shall be conducted by a reviewer who did not participate in the first review and will be considered a final decision. There is no higher appeal process.