Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
The U.S. Department of Education requires that all students receiving financial aid be making progress toward their course of study. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the measure of a student’s progress. Northern Essex Community College has created the following standards to comply with the federal regulations. Students who fail to meet these standards may not receive financial aid, including loans.
A student’s entire academic history will be reviewed for the purposes of determining satisfactory academic progress, including credits not paid for by financial aid. For all degree and certificate students, progress will be reviewed after the fall and spring semesters.
STANDARDS REQUIRED
1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA.
Example:
| Number of Credits Attempted/Earned (Associate’s) | Minimum Cumulative GPA Required |
|---|---|
1 – 12 |
1.7 |
13 – 24 |
1.8 |
Above 24 |
2.0 |
Number of Credits Attempted/Earned One-year Certificate Program |
Minimum Cumulative GPA Required |
|---|---|
1-12 |
2.0 |
above 12 |
2.0 |
Standard 2 - Cumulative Credits Earned. This standard requires students to successfully complete (with letter grades A, B, C, D, or P) a minimum of 66% of all courses attempted within a given semester.
EXAMPLE: A student registered for 3, 3-credit courses (total 9 credits) in a given semester, must successfully complete at least 2 of them (6 credits divided by 9 credits = 66%).
- “Attempted” credits - include all credits in which a student is registered at the end of the add/drop period. All courses are considered credits attempted whether or not the course is completed. Grades of F, course withdrawals W, or FW, and courses from which a student has been dropped for non-participation (NF or NW) will be included in the SAP assessment.
- “Incomplete” credits (I) - include credits which are attempted but not completed (I), and, at the end of the following term will then be coded as a failure (IF) and included as attempted credits.
- “Repeated” credits - these credits are included in the calculation of both attempted and earned hours. Once a minimum grade of “C” is attained, no future repeat of that class will be paid for by financial aid.
- “Audited” credits (AU) - these credits are not considered credits attempted or earned.
- “Transfer” credits - include credits received during consortium study and will be counted as attempted and earned. Students who change academic programs or majors must be maintaining SAP in the original program to be eligible for aid in the first semester of the new program.
Please note:
Remedial and developmental credits are counted as attempted and earned credits. (No more than 30 credits are allowed).
English as a Second Language (ESL) credits are counted as attempted and earned credits. However, the 150% rule (Standard 3 - Maximum Time Frame on page 2) does not apply.
Standard 3 - Maximum Time Frame (Maximum Number of Credits). Students must complete their programs within a time frame no longer than 150% of the published length of the educational program (excluding a maximum of 30 credits of any developmental coursework required). Part-time attendance counts in the maximum time frame calculation. ESL courses are exempt from this requirement. Students who do not complete their program within this time frame are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. In the example below, the student pursuing a Certificate in Computer Networking would no longer receive financial aid after attempting 42 credits; and, a student pursuing an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice would no longer receive financial aid after attempting 99 credits.
EXAMPLE:
| Degree/Certificate Attempted | Credits Required | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
Computer Networking Certificate |
28 credits |
42 credits |
Associate’s Criminal Justice |
66 credits |
99 credits |
SAP Review Status:
Financial Aid Probation. Students who do not meet Standards 1 and/or 2 listed above will be placed on financial aid probation for the next semester of enrollment, but will be eligible to receive financial aid during that time. At the end of the semester, the probationary status will be reviewed, and action will be taken as follows:
- Student will be removed from FA probation if the cumulative GPA is raised to that required to be in good standing and all attempted courses are completed.
- Student will continue on FA probation for the next semester, and should meet with an Advisor to review their academic plan.
- Student will be placed on FA suspension if, after the second probationary semester, the GPA is less than the minimum cumulative required as listed in Standard 1, and/or if all courses were not successfully completed.
Financial Aid Suspension. If the SAP standards are not met after the probationary period, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension and will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid. Financial aid eligibility can be reinstated if a student enrolls and pays for courses, and raises his/her GPA and completion rate to meet the required standards.
Appeal Procedure:
A student has the right to appeal a suspension of financial aid based on mitigating circumstances, such as but not limited to, a change of major, illness, military service or previously undiagnosed learning disabilities. The following must be completed:
- Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee using the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form.
- Documentation verifying the special circumstances should be attached (e.g., doctor’s letter, third-party letter).
- An Academic Progress Plan is also required, and it must be reviewed and signed by the student’s Academic Advisor.
Once the Financial Aid Committee considers the appeal, notification of the decision will be sent to the student by email within two (2) weeks of the date the appeal was received, or after the semester final grades have been posted.
