SCC Course Catalog

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Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Procedures

Financial aid students are evaluated at the end of each semester to determine progression. Students must meet the Academic Standard, the Program Completion Standard and stay within the Maximum Timeframe to remain in a satisfactory status and maintain financial aid eligibility.

Academic Standard

All Financial Aid students must maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA (grade point average). Cumulative being defined as “all” curriculum classes taken at Stanly Community College regardless of timeframe. Classes that receive an “incomplete” grade are calculated as an “F” at the time of Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation. (reference: Grade Policy located on SCC website under Current Students → Policies). Classes from which the student withdraws have no bearing on the GPA.

If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.00, the student is placed on a financial aid warning status and notified by the Financial Aid Office. The student then has a warning period of enrollment in which to achieve a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA. The warning period of enrollment is the next semester the student is enrolled at SCC and the student is eligible for financial aid assistance during this semester. If at the end of the warning semester a cumulative 2.00 GPA is not achieved, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid.

Program Completion Standard

All financial aid students must complete at least two-thirds or 67 percent of all curriculum hours attempted at SCC including accepted transfer credits regardless of timeframe. The percentage is determined by taking the cumulative total of credit hours completed divided by the cumulative total of hours attempted. For example, a student who has completed 32 hours and attempted 64 has a completion rate of 50% (32 divided by 64). Attempted but not completed credit hours include withdrawals, incompletes, repeat classes and courses with a grade of “F”.

If a student’s percentage rate falls below 67%, the student is placed on a warning status and notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office. The student then has a warning period of enrollment in which to earn a completion rate of 67% or more.  The warning period of enrollment is the next semester the student is enrolled at SCC. The student is eligible for financial aid assistance during this warning period of enrollment. If at the end of the warning semester a cumulative 67% completion rate is not achieved, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid.

Maximum Timeframe

All financial aid students must complete their educational program within 150% of the published length. NOTE: The 150% Maximum Timeframe applies to “all” curriculum hours attempted at SCC including accepted transfer credits regardless of timeframe. The SCC college catalog provides a course sequence for each educational program and the number of total credit hours needed to complete the program. For example, the Associate Degree in Criminal Justice is 68 credit hours in length, therefore, a financial aid student enrolled may attempt, including transfer credit hours, up to 102 credit hours (68 credit hours times 150%) and remain eligible for financial aid.
Financial aid students who exceed the 150% maximum timeframe will no longer be eligible for financial aid. The maximum timeframe does not provide for a warning period.

Developmental/Remedial Classes

Attempted or completed developmental/ supplemental credit hours are not included in the Program Completion Standard or the Maximum Timeframe calculations; however, the completion or non-completion of developmental/ supplemental classes will be counted in the Academic Standard calculation.  A grade of “P”, “P1”, “P2” or “P3” will count as an “A” and the grade of “R” will count as an “F” for financial aid students and count toward the financial aid cumulative GPA. The numbers 001-099 are assigned to developmental or supplemental courses.  Developmental/supplemental courses do not earn credit toward a certificate, diploma or degree.

Appeal Process

Financial Aid students who have not successfully met the Academic Standard and/or Program Completion Standard warning semester OR have exceeded the 150% Maximum Timeframe may appeal their loss of financial aid. In order to appeal the loss of financial aid, the student must submit an Appeal Request form or a written statement; (1) explaining the circumstances that rendered them unable to meet the standard(s), (2) what has changed to allow the student to meet the standard(s) and (3) the student’s educational goal and plans to meet that goal. Along with the Appeal Request form or statement, the student should attach any documentation that supports the appeal. The Appeal Request form or written statement must be submitted to the Financial Aid Department and may be delivered in person, by mail or via email. All Appeal Request forms or statements must be received within 10 days following receipt of the letter indicating the loss of financial aid eligibility. The Dean of Financial Aid Management will consider the appeal statement and the decision will be final.

Students receiving appeal approval will be placed on an Appeal Probation status and are required to successfully complete all classes until a Satisfactory status has been reached.  To insure academic success, Appeal Probation students will be placed on an Academic Educational Plan which may include but not limited to a reduction in the number of credit hours enrolled; completion of enrolled classes with a “B” or better.  Failure to meet the Academic Educational Plan requirements will terminate all financial aid eligibility at SCC.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

If a student loses financial aid eligibility by failing to meet the Academic and/or Program Completion standard and after self-pay or the use of outside resources feels that the standards are met, the student must contact the Financial Aid Office and have their SAP status re-calculated. If the standards have been met, the student will regain financial aid eligibility the semester following the semester in which the standards were met, provided all other financial aid requirements have been completed.