Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Introduction
Federal regulations require all student make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in a program to maintain financial aid eligibility. SAP involves meeting minimum GPA requirements, completing 67% of attempted coursework, and finishing your program within 150% of the standard duration.
Angeles College designed its Financial Aid SAP Policy to enhance the connection between financial aid and academic success. Federal regulations require that schools establish SAP standards for students applying for and receiving federal aid.
The school evaluates a student’s progress at the end of each payment period based on the standards outlined below. The Financial Aid Office evaluates academic transcripts for transfer students received from other colleges using the same SAP Policy (see chart below).
In order to receive Title IV financial aid, students must maintain SAP. Angeles College adopted the following standards of SAP in order to comply with requirements of the U.S. Department of Education. These standards are for financial aid purposes only and do not replace nor override the academic policies of AC.
SAP Requirements
Academic progress for federal financial aid programs is based on three measures: cumulative grade-point average or percentage (Qualitative standard), completion rate based on hours/units earned compared to hours/units attempted (Quantitative standard), and a maximum time frame for program completion. The following describes AC’s standards for each of these measures.
Students in a Credit Hour Program
| Minimum GPA | Per Term Completion Rate (Quantitative) – Cumulative Credit Hours Completed/Cumulative Credit Hours Attempted | Overall Max Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 67% | 150% of Scheduled Program length |
Students in a Clock Hour (Certificate Program)
| Minimum GPA | Per Term Completion Rate (Quantitative) – Cumulative Credit Hours Completed/Cumulative Credit Hours Attempted | Overall Max Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 67% | 150% of Scheduled Program length |
Grades of Withdrawal (W), Incomplete (I), and Failing (F) will count as attempted hours, but will NOT count as earned hours.
Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (Qualitative)
The minimum cumulative GPA for a student in a credit hour program at the end of each term to maintain eligibility for financial aid is 2.0. The minimum cumulative GPA for a student in a clock hour program at the end of each payment period to maintain eligibility for financial aid is 2.0.
Per Term Completion Rate/Pace of Progression (Quantitative)
A student in a credit hour program must complete at least 67% of the quarter’s scheduled credit hours to maintain eligibility for financial aid. A student in a clock hour program must complete all scheduled clock hours in the payment period to maintain eligibility for financial aid.
Maximum Time Frame
The maximum time frame in which a student must complete their program cannot exceed 150% of the published program length. Credit and clock hours attempted count towards the maximum time frame allowance, regardless of whether the student received financial aid during that time frame. Repeated courses, failed courses, withdrawals and transferred hours will count as clock hours attempted toward the maximum time frame. Students must complete their program requirements within 150% of the time it normally takes to complete the certificate program (clock hours) or the degree program (credit hours).
Students in certificate programs (as measured in clock hours)
Example: If your program requires 900 clock hours, you must complete your program by the time you attempt 1,350 clock hours (900 x 150% = 1,350).
Students in degree programs (as measured in credit hours)
Example: If you program requires 180 credit units, you must complete your program by the time you attempt 270 credit units (180 X 150% = 270).
Evaluation and Notification of Eligibility
Minimum progress standards are evaluated at the end of the each payment (term) period. At the end of each term of enrollment, students must earn the minimum cumulative GPA, minimum number of credit hours, and be within the maximum time frame.
Hours Attempted
All pursued hours in the student’s career count in the maximum time frame, regardless of financial aid receipt. Attempted hours also include the following: withdrawals, incompletes, failing grades, repeated coursework, and transfer credits accepted by the college.
Repeated Coursework
Students are allowed to repeat previously-passed courses and have them count toward enrollment for financial aid eligibility only once
Academic Progress Status
SAP Status
| Academic Progress | Status | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting Completion Rate and Minimum GPA/Peercentage | Eligible | Eligible |
| 1st Failure | Warning | Provisional Eligibility |
| 2nd Consecutive Failure | Denied | Not Eligible |
Warning
A status assigned to a student who fails to make SAP at an institution that evaluates SAP at the end of each payment period. The student may continue to receive Title IV aid for one payment period. To clear “Warning” status, a student must meet GPA and credit completion requirements by the end of the warning period.
Failing to meet the requirements by the end of the warning period makes the student ineligible for further federal financial aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress.
Students can regain financial aid eligibility by meeting required hours and cumulative GPA/percentage by the end of the next period. Withdrawal from AC has no effect on the student’s SAP upon re-entry.
Appeal Procedures
The Financial Aid Office at AC maintains appeal procedures for students who have been disqualified from Title IV (Federal Financial Assistance) due to not meeting our institution’s Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. A student may file an SAP Appeal if extenuating circumstances prevent them from meeting the requirements.
A student can file an SAP Appeal for extenuating circumstances preventing requirement fulfillment. If a student doesn’t meet SAP requirements and loses federal financial aid eligibility, they can appeal to the Director of Financial Aid with written reasons to retain aid.
Appeals are not automatic and only approved for extenuating circumstances. Appeals must be submitted with accompanying documentation and a completed academic plan by the deadline given. Federal regulations allow colleges to set aside standards in cases of student illness, severe injury, or a relative’s death. Students granted an exception must adhere to the conditions set for the probationary status.
Suspension
A status assigned to a student for not meeting SAP after one aid payment period in ‘Warning’ status, not meeting SAP in ‘Probation’ status, or not meeting the conditions in the Academic Plan in ‘Reestablish’ status. Note: Students in ‘Suspension’ status are NOT eligible for financial aid. To clear ‘Suspension’ status, the school must approve an appeal or the student must meet minimum SAP standards by the next term’s end.
Probation
A student who fails to meet SAP and has an approved appeal will be provided with a one-term academic plan. At the end of one term on ‘Probation’, the student must meet the SAP standards’ terms and conditions.
Ineligible
A status assigned to a student who fails to make SAP and an appeal is denied. Students who have an ‘Ineligible’ status are not eligible for aid during the next term of enrollment.