Federal regulations require that students "make measurable progress towards completion of their course of study" to remain eligible for federal financial aid. This is called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and is a federal requirement for financial aid eligibility. To remain eligible to receive federal financial aid, students must meet all the following SAP standards:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours.
- Complete your academic program within 150% of the published credit hour requirement
These requirements apply to all credits attempted (including remedial, repeated, and transfer courses), for part-time and full-time students, for all semesters of enrollment within an academic year, including those semesters for which no financial aid was received.
Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Failure to maintain compliance with Tri-C’s SAP standards may result in the loss or disqualification of future financial aid eligibility. Students who become disqualified may be eligible to complete an SAP Appeal to have their financial aid eligibility reinstated.
Financial Aid Warning
Students who do not meet the GPA and/or Completion rate SAP standards at the end of one term of enrollment will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. During the financial aid warning term, students are eligible for federal financial aid and are encouraged to reevaluate their academic progression toward the completion of their course of study, obtain academic advising, and use other academic support resources to support their academic success.
If students are still not in compliance with all Tri-C SAP standards at the end of the warning period, they will be placed on Financial Aid Disqualification.
Financial Aid Disqualification
Students who are not making satisfactory academic progress after at least two semesters of enrollment, have reached or exceeded the maximum timeframe, or have an incomplete term (all failing grades or at least one incomplete “I” grade) will be placed on financial aid disqualification. During the period of financial aid disqualification, students will be ineligible to receive federal financial aid.
Students who are disqualified from federal student aid may regain their eligibility by improving their academic standing to meet SAP guidelines or being granted an approved SAP Appeal.
SAP Appeal Process
Students who have their financial aid eligibility disqualified due to SAP may submit an SAP Appeal via their My Tri-C Space. The appeal should include a personal statement detailing the circumstances that prevented the student from being academically successful and a plan for success, a copy of the student's Degree Works Audit Report, and a complete academic plan. Although supporting documentation is not required to submit an SAP Appeal, it is highly recommended.
Submission of an SAP Appeal does not guarantee the reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. The decision of the SAP Appeal Committee is final.