Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

Students receiving federal financial aid are subject to satisfactory academic progress requirements, which are governed by the United States Department of Education. The basic requirements of students receiving federal financial aid are to successfully complete classes (completion rate) within a pre-determined time period (time frame). Continued receipt of federal financial aid will be determined by the student’s successful completion of classes and progress towards degree completion or transfer.

Each semester a recipient of Title IV financial aid (i.e., Federal Pell Grant, federal work study, Federal Stafford Loan program, Federal Parental Loan to Undergraduate Students, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant) must complete a predetermined percentage of the credit hours for which the recipient originally registered. W (withdrawal), I (incomplete), NR (not recorded), U (unsatisfactory), and F (failure) are considered not completed. A repeated course with a grade of D, F, I, U, NR, or W is considered not completed. 
 

The minimum completion rate is:

Number of Semester Hours Attempted	Required Minimum Completion Rate
0-29	50%
30-44	60%
45 or more	70%

The completion rate is calculated by dividing the completed hours into the attempted hours. A recipient will be determined ineligible for subsequent aid if the recipient does not complete the above minimum required percentage of semester credit hours for each range of completed semester credit hours. A recipient may regain eligibility by completing, at the recipient's own expense, the required number of credit hours needed to meet the minimum required completion rate for the next semester. This satisfactory progress requirement includes all academic terms a recipient has attended LCCC.

A student may repeat a course in which less than a “C” grade was earned. If the subsequent course was taken at LCCC, the grade received for the repeated course will thereafter be substituted for the former grade in calculating the students cumulative GPA. The repeated courses will count toward the attempted hours in the completion rate analysis.

Developmental Education Coursework
A student enrolled in an eligible program for federal financial aid is permitted to attempt a maximum of 30 academic foundations courses during their enrollment at LCCC for payment under federal financial aid. The academic foundations courses will be counted in the grade point average calculation (except those using a pass/fail grading system), completion rate and towards the maximum timeframe. Academic foundations courses are provided for students who need to refresh or strengthen academic skills. Courses are available in mathematics, English/writing, reading, and study skills.

Time Frame
The maximum time frame in which a student must complete his/her educational program must be no longer than 150% of the published credit hour length of the educational program. Example: a recipient must complete an associate degree requiring 65 credit hours for completion in a maximum time frame of 98 credit hours; a recipient must complete a certificate of proficiency requiring 34 credit hours for completion in a maximum time frame of 51 credit hours or lose the title iv financial aid. A recipient may be eligible to complete more than one associate degree and/or certificate program at LCCC pending approval through the appeal process from the satisfactory progress review committee. There is no limit to how many times a student can change majors as this is evaluated through the appeal process on a case-by-case basis. An evaluation from the LCCC transfer center will be completed, and the 150% time-frame policy will be applied to the remaining credit hours required to complete additional degrees. The time-frame policy includes all academic terms a recipient has attended LCCC plus, all transferred credit hours.

The minimum grade point average for continued receipt of federally-funded financial aid mirrors and defers to the academic policy established and enforced by the committee on admissions and scholastic standing. Students on academic probation will continue to be eligible for Title IV aid. The dismissal policy can be found in the 2011-2012 Academic Requirement in the enrollment section.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Warning
Students, who initially do not meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements (SAP), will be placed on SAP warning. An appeal will not be necessary at this point and students on SAP warning will be required to meet with an academic advisor or counselor prior to the release of Title IV aid. Please note – students may receive SAP warning one time. If the student subsequently does not the sap requirements, an appeal will be required.

Appeal Process
If a student feels there is a valid reason why the required minimum percentage of hours was not completed and/or the academic program was not completed within the maximum time frame the student may plead their case to the satisfactory academic progress review committee. Correspondence regarding the students’ appeal will be sent via the LCCC assigned email account and the student’s mycampus account.

The student must submit in writing to the Financial Aid office all relevant information to have their situation reviewed by the committee. The committee will determine if satisfactory academic progress probation or a satisfactory academic progress academic plan will be warranted. Students requesting an appeal to the policy are encouraged to submit documentation to support their request.

The satisfactory progress review committee Title IV request for appeal form is the suggested form for students to use. Please note that an appeal does not indicate approval of Title IV aid. Students are expected to complete their coursework and complete the educational program within the designed time frame for continued receipt of federal aid.