The grading system employed by each college should accurately reflect the academic achievement of the student. In order to ensure appropriate use of state resources available for the education of its citizens, each college will develop procedures to monitor satisfactory progress through its probation and suspension policy. A QPA of 1.5 and satisfactory completion of fifty percent of the courses attempted (this phrase means actual continued enrollment beyond the add/drop period) will be the minimum standards for good standing.
No course may be repeated more than twice. The highest grade received will be used in calculating the student’s academic average. This does not apply to those courses that are designed to be repeated for additional credit.
College standards will be included in appropriate college publications and communications.
These standards shall not be applied retroactively to the academic record of any student.
A request for waiver of these standards shall be based on special circumstances, be approved by the college president, and be reported to the chancellor.
(Adopted October 17, 1993, amended January 28, 2002.)
A student receiving Federal Title IV financial aid or other financial aid directly administered or certified by the college must maintain satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of a certificate or degree program of study. Satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients is measured by both quantitative and qualitative standards and is an assessment of a student’s cumulative academic record at the college.
A student must complete successfully two-thirds (66.66%) of the credits (earned credits/attempted credits) s/he attempts. All attempted credits resulting in either an academic grade or administrative transcript notation will be included in the quantitative calculation. Incomplete courses, course withdrawals, course repetitions, and noncredit remedial courses (with appropriate credit equivalency evaluation) will be included in this assessment. Transfer credits will be counted as attempted and earned credits in the calculation for determining satisfactory academic progress.
A student must also maintain a cumulative minimum grade point average as noted below to be making satisfactory academic progress and be eligible to receive financial aid.
Earned Credits
Minimum GPA
≤15.99
1.50
≥16.00
2.00
A student’s cumulative academic history will be evaluated prior to each term’s financial aid disbursement. This policy will be used to evaluate full-time and part-time students.
Any student who fails to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standard will be placed on Financial Aid Probation once. The probationary period will be the student’s next semester of enrollment at the college. The college will communicate the Probation status to the student and inform the student that s/he must meet the academic progress standard by the end of the Probation Period in order to maintain eligibility to participate in the financial aid program at the college.
Any student who fails to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standard at the end of the Probationary Period will be dismissed from the financial aid program at the college. The college will communicate the Termination status to the student and inform the student of the Reinstatement and Appeal Process available to the student.
A student may receive student financial aid for any attempted credits in his/her program of study that do not exceed 150% of the published length of the student’s educational program at the college. For example, a student enrolled in a 60-credit degree program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 90 attempted credit hours. Similarly, a student enrolled in a 30-credit certificate program may receive financial aid for a maximum of 45 attempted credit hours. Any attempted credits at the college must be included in the calculation. This 150% maximum credit hours rule is applicable to students who change majors or who pursue a double major.
A student’s financial aid eligibility will be automatically reinstated at such time as the student meets the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements. Reinstatement to the financial aid program may also occur upon a successful appeal by the student.
Each college must develop an appropriate Appeal Process providing specific procedures under which a student may appeal a determination that the student is not making satisfactory progress. A student may request reinstatement to the financial aid program through the Appeal Process.
Approved by Council of Presidents March 7, 2005 effective for the 2005-06 Award Year.
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