STDPET/STDPEM Rev. 3/29/19
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Federal and State financial aid regulations require Solano Community College (SCC) to establish, publish, and apply
qualitative, quantitative and incremental standards by which SCC can determine whether a student requesting and/or
receiving financial aid is maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in his/her course of study. Financial Aid
requires a declared major and enrollment in a Title IV eligible program (16 or more units in length). Solano
Community College Financial Aid Office evaluates all three standards at the end of each term to determine a
student's eligibility. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be evaluated at the end of each semester. Each SAP
evaluation includes both the semester and cumulative grade point average (GPA) and pace of progression
completion rate.
A
t the end of each term, the student’s academic record will be reviewed against the following
standards:
Q
ualitative-Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Grades for remedial and ESL courses count in the GPA calculation
Q
uantitative-Pace of Progression
• Students must complete at least 67% of the cumulative number of SCC units attempted at each SAP evaluation
• Completion rate is computed by dividing the total number of institutional units completed by the total number of units
attempted
Q
uantitative-Maximum Time Frame
• A student may not exceed 150% of published units of the program in which the student is enrolled
• Example: For degree and transfer programs of 60 units, maximum time frame is 90 units
• For eligible certificate programs, maximum time frame varies (i.e. 30 unit program = 45 units maximum, 18 unit
program = 27 units maximum)
• All completed units are counted in the calculation of the 150% program limits
W
arning
• Students not making SAP will be automatically placed on one term of “Warning” status.
• SCC uses SAP Warning status for students identified as not cumulatively meeting cumulative overall SAP standards
for one term.
• Students may receive financial aid during the warning period.
• Students who meet the cumulative overall SAP standards at the end of their Warning semester become fully eligibl
e
aga
in in the following term.
• Students not making SAP at the end of the warning period are determined to be ineligible for financial aid
Reestablishing Eligibility
• Students may reestablish their eligibility by taking classes without receiving Federal financial aid, and meeting the
67% cumulative pace of progression and minimum cumulative GPA of 2.
0
• Any grade changes will be assessed at the request of the student.
• Sitting out one semester or longer will not reestablish eligibility.
S
tudent Appeals for Extenuating Circumstance
• Students determined ineligible for Federal Financial Aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress may submit
an
appe
al for GPA/Pace, or Maximum Time Frame, based on extenuating circumstances.
A
ppeals require the following documentation
o Typed, signed, and dated statement indicating what extenuating circumstance caused the student to fall
below the SAP standards, and what has changed that will allow the students to meet the standards
and
s
uccessfully complete their program of study
o Any applicable documentation of extenuating circumstances
o A comprehensive Student Education Plan (SEP)
o A Financial Aid Review from National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
o Progress Report may be required prior to final determination.
• Outcome is a Professional Judgment decision, case-by-case and not capricious nor discriminatory.
• Exceptions to SAP Policy and/or requests for additional documentation may be made on a case-by-case basis by t
he
D
irector of Financial Aid.