FINANCIAL AID - SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) POLICY
The Federal Government mandates that students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress toward the completion of their degrees within a reasonable period of time in order to be eligible for financial aid programs.
Monitoring Satisfactory Progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress will be monitored every semester.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Is Defined As:
*Cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total credit hours attempted for which the student received grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, E, F, I, T, QA, QA-, QB+,QB, QB-, QC+, QC, QC-, QD, and QI.
**Credit hours attempted will be cumulative and will include all hours for which the student was enrolled as of the census date of each academic term, or for which the student received a final grade. The census date is set by the College and marks the last date of the add/drop period of a semester. Credit hours completed with grades of A, B, C, D, E, QA, QB, QC, or T will be considered credit hours completed. Grades of QD, F, QI, I, W, and WF will be considered credit hours attempted but not completed. A student's completion rate is calculated by dividing the number of credit hours completed by the number of credit hours attempted. Transfer credits should count as both attempted and completed credits.
***For each program of study, a maximum timeframe will be calculated by taking the total credit hours required for the program as outlined in the College catalog and multiplying the total by 150%. Timeframes will vary from program to program.
Key points to remember regarding maximum timeframe:
Program of Study
A student must declare an eligible program of study to be eligible to receive federal financial aid.
Remedial Courses
Remedial credits do count for the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress and are included in the metrics for the calculation of cumulative GPA, Completion rate and Maximum Time Frame. Note: Maximum of 30 attempted Remedial credits are funded with federal financial aid.
ESL Courses
ESL coursework does count for the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress and is included in the metrics for the calculation of cumulative GPA, Completion rate and Maximum Time Frame.
Repeated Courses
All Repeated courses will be counted in the total number of attempted credits for SAP calculation. A student who passes a course (with a letter grade of D or higher, may retake the class one additional time and receive financial aid for that course. Students repeating coursework because he/she received a grade of QD, F, WF, or W, may repeat the course and remain eligible for financial aid if Satisfactory Academic Progress is maintained.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits accepted by Middlesex County College will be included in overall attempted credits, but not the GPA calculation. All Attempted credits will be used in the calculation of Maximum Time Frame and Completion rate.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Review
Students are evaluated at the end of each academic term (fall, spring and summer). The review process will assign a status for each student of:
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Process
Students who are not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy may appeal for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. All appeals will be reviewed and approved or denied by the Financial Aid Ad Hoc Appeals Committee. An appeal can only be submitted if a student’s failure to make Satisfactory Academic Progress is based upon events beyond their control. Applicable circumstances would include medical issues, death/illnesses, and any other uncontrollable events. Students will need to submit the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form, their program evaluation, and all required documentation to the Financial Aid Office. Incomplete appeals (those with no explanation of the extenuating circumstances and the required supporting documentation) will be automatically denied. Students will be notified by email of the committee’s decision within 30 days. Students with an approved appeal will be placed on PROBATION for one semester of financial aid and will be evaluated accordingly at the end of each semester. If a student receives an appeal approval, s/he must adhere to the terms of the academic plan or will be denied financial aid the following semester. The academic plan outlines the minimum academic requirements that a student must adhere to in order to receive Financial Aid. The criteria indicate that a student must maintain a 2.5 term GPA, or higher, not withdraw or receive F grades in any classes (must achieve 100% completion rate) and register for classes in their major. Students who have appeals denied will be permitted to appeal the decision of the committee to the Director of Financial Aid. The Director of Financial Aid will review the student’s second appeal, and this decision is final.
Using your own financial resources for classes or electing to take leave for a semester are not grounds for reinstatement of aid. Students must bring their academic progress back into compliance or have an appeal approved to have aid reinstated. Students may re-appeal after a denied appeal once they have successfully completed at least six (6) credit hours with:
It is important for students to remember that Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (PLEU) cannot be waived through the submission of an appeal. For further information on PLEU, visit http://www.middlesexcc.edu/financial-aid/pell-grant-eligibility/