Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

The federal government mandates that students maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of their degrees, certificates, or technical diplomas within a reasonable period of time in order to be eligible for Title IV financial aid programs (including grants, work study, Stafford, PLUS, and Perkins loans). 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined as:

• Earning (passing) a required number of hours (67% of *all hours attempted) and
• Achieving a required grade point average (see Cumulative GPA Chart)
• Total attempted hours must not exceed 150% of the published length of the student’s degree, certificate, or technical diploma program.
• Any student who fails to meet SAP standards after two consecutive semesters will be denied federal student aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Developmental/Remedial and ESL Courses

Developmental/remedial courses and English as a Second Language courses will be counted towards a student’s qualitative and Pace progression standards for SAP.  However, a student may receive financial aid for a maximum of 30 semester hours for developmental/remedial courses as long as the courses are required as a result of placement testing, the student is in an eligible program of study, and SAP requirements continue to be met.  ESL credits are unlimited in number as long as they are taken as part of an eligible program and SAP requirements continue to be met.

Disclosure Statement

Students are expected to monitor their own SAP and consult with the Office of Student Financial Assistance when they have questions or concerns.  The Office of Student Financial Assistance provides written or electronic notices to students at the end of semesters where students are on probation, academic plan, or denied status. It is imperative that students keep their mailing and email addresses (preferred) updated with Delgado Community College and check their Delgado email (preferred) and LoLA accounts on a regular basis.  Failure to monitor SAP or lack of understanding of how SAP works is not a basis for an appeal.

Occasionally, students may be contacted by a member of the satisfactory academic progress committee, if the committee needs additional information to make their final decision.  The student’s file will be considered incomplete for a two-week timeframe; if the student does not provide the documentation requested within two weeks from the day of contact, the student’s application will be denied.

Terminology Guide

• Appeal- The process by which a student who is not meeting satisfactory academic progression standards must petition the committee for reconsideration of his/her eligibility for federal student aid funding.
• Qualitative- The qualitative standard is the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).  The qualitative standard requires that as the number of hours attempted increases, the student’s cumulative GPA increases.  Delgado students will need to achieve a cumulative GPA relative to the total number of hours attempted as outlined in the Cumulative GPA Chart.
• Quantitative/Pace- The quantitative measure is the measure, i.e. “Pace,” at which the student is progressing.  A standard calculation used is to divide the cumulative course hours completed/earned by the cumulative/total course hours attempted. 
• Maximum Time Frame- Students may receive federal financial aid if they have attempted below 150% of the hours required to complete their program.
  • To determine the maximum allowable hours for a specific program of study, all students are expected to reach their chosen academic goal by the time the student has attempted 150% of the credit hours required for the student’s degree, certificate, or technical diploma.

SAP Timeline/ When is SAP Reviewed?

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be reviewed and determined:

1. Before aid is initially awarded and
2. After each period of enrollment/semester and/or
3. After summer session if applicable

SAP Measures

How is SAP reviewed? Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be measured in three areas- qualitative, quantitative, and maximum time frame

1. Qualitative Measure (GPA)

The qualitative standard is the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).  The qualitative standard requires that as the number of hours attempted increases, the student’s cumulative GPA increases.  Delgado students will need to achieve a cumulative GPA relative to the total number of hours attempted as outlined in the chart below:

Qualitative Measure (Cumulative GPA Chart)

All grades attempted will be considered.  These include, but are not limited to, courses passed, courses failed, courses from which the student withdrew (officially or unofficially), repeated courses, transfer courses, and remedial/developmental coursework.

Any student who fails to meet SAP standards after two consecutive semesters will be denied federal student aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension.

• Five (5) SAP appeals are allowed for the lifetime of federal eligibility at Delgado.

2. Quantitative Measure- Pace

• In calculating the quantitative measure, Delgado Community College will measure the “Pace” at which the student is progressing.  In measuring a student’s “Pace,” Delgado requires that students complete a minimum of 67% of hours attempted and hours earned with passing grades.  This is done by dividing the cumulative (total) number of successfully completed hours by the cumulative (total) numbers of attempted hours.
• All hours attempted will be considered.  These include, but are not limited to, courses passed, courses failed, courses from which the student withdrew (officially or unofficially), repeated courses, non-credit, and remedial/developmental coursework.
• SAP will be met if the student is achieving the appropriate cumulative GPA (see Cumulative GPA Chart), and the Pace is equal to 67% or higher, and the student has not reached 150% maximum time frame allowed for their degree, certificate, or technical diploma program.  (See the following section on “Maximum Hours Allowed”)

(Example: total attempted hours= 43, total hours earned=24.  The requirements of 43 total attempted x 67%=29 hours that must be earned.  If a student only earned 24 hours, then the student does not meet SAP).

• Five (5) SAP appeals are allowed for the lifetime of federal eligibility at Delgado.

3. Maximum Hours Allowed

Students may receive federal financial aid if they have attempted below 150% of the hours required to complete their program.  To determine the maximum allowable hours for a specific program of study, refer to Programs of Study . Determine the total number of hours required for the program and multiply that figure by 1.50.

(Example: If the degree program requires 60 hours to complete the program, multiply 60 hours x 1.50 = 90.  The maximum allowable attempted hours for the degree program in this example = 90 hours.)

• Hours attempted include all hours pursued, earned, withdrawn, and failed.  All of these hours are counted as attempted even if the student did not receive aid.

SAP Review and Notification

SAP is reviewed after each semester.  Students will be notified if their academic standing does not comply with DCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy via email and/or LOLA. **Students who are on an academic plan will have SAP reviewed after each semester to ensure progression is being met.

1. Good standing- Student has met progress standards and is eligible for aid the following semester, session, or academic year.

2. Probation- If it is determined that it is possible for the student to meet SAP standards within one semester, the student will be placed on probation status.  Students will be required to submit a SAP Application. During this probation period, the student will be eligible to receive federal financial aid.  If the student fails to meet SAP standards at the end of the probationary period, the student will be ineligible for federal financial aid.

3.  Warning- if a student fails to meet Delgado’s SAP standards, the student may receive a warning, which would indicate that the student would be able to successfully meet SAP standards the next (immediate) semester.  Students will not be required to submit a SAP Application. 

4.  Academic Plan- Students can receive an academic plan from their assigned Academic advisor. Any student who fails to meet SAP standards after two consecutive semesters will be denied federal student aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension. In calculating the quantitative measure, Delgado Community College will measure the “Pace” at which the student is progressing.  In measuring a student’s “Pace,” Delgado requires that students complete a minimum of 75% of hours attempted while on Academic Plan. This is done by dividing the cumulative (total) number of hours successfully completed divided by the cumulative (total) number of attempted hours.

a.  This plan has to be signed by the advisor and outline what courses the student will need to take in the upcoming 2-3 semesters. 

b.  Students are required to complete the SAP application and submit an academic plan that must be signed by the student and the academic advisor. The primary requirement is that the student maintains a 2.0 GPA each semester. Failure to adhere to this plan will result in a denial of federal student aid.

c.  The academic plan requires specified cumulative GPA, 2.0 per semester, and 75% pace progression.

5. Suspension- Students on financial aid suspension are considered ineligible for federal financial aid [federal grants, student loans, (FWS) student employment].  Additionally, students will not receive federal financial aid if they are academically suspended. Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated if the student pays his/her own educational expenses at least one (1) semester by taking a minimum of 6 credit hours, and earns a 2.0 (grade point average) for the semester in which he or she re-enrolls. Financial aid eligibility may be also reinstated if the suspended student does not attend at least one (1) semester, i.e., fall or spring (summer is counted with spring and therefore will not count as a qualified timeline).

Appeals Process

Students who do not meet SAP standards and are placed on a financial aid suspension have the right to appeal to the Office of Student Financial Assistance if the student’s loss of eligibility occurred due to a mitigating circumstance or mitigating circumstances.

• A mitigating circumstance is an unusual, unexpected, or non-recurring event beyond the student’s control.  Examples of mitigating circumstances for which an appeal may be filed include, but are not limited to, personal illness, injury, undue hardship, or death in the student’s immediate family.

• All students appealing their loss of eligibility must complete an appeal form that may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Assistance or via the College’s website: www.dcc.edu/departments/financialaid/forms/.

• The student MUST submit supporting documentation along with the appeal form.  Lack of supporting documentation may result in denial of the student’s appeal.

• Five (5) SAP appeals are allowed for the lifetime of federal eligibility at Delgado
• Any student who fails to meet SAP standards after two (2) consecutive semesters will be denied federal student aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension.
• The academic plan requires specified cumulative GPA of 2.0 and 75% pace progression.

1. Appeal Denied

If the appeal is denied, the student must regain eligibility by enrolling at his/her own expense and earning the appropriate cumulative GPA and meeting Pace progression standards. 

Any student who fails to meet SAP standards after two consecutive semesters will be denied federal student aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension.

• Five (5) SAP appeals are allowed for the lifetime of federal eligibility at Delgado.

2. Appeal Approved

If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on either probation or academic plan.

• Probation- If it is determined that it is possible for the student to meet SAP standards within one semester, the student may be placed on a probation status.  During this probation period, the student will be eligible to receive federal financial aid.  If the student fails to meet SAP standards at the end of the probationary period, the student will be ineligible for federal financial aid.
• Academic plan- If it is determined that it is impossible for the student to meet SAP standards within one semester, the student will be placed on academic plan. Students are given specific requirements to show continual progression in order to stay in good standing with SAP in order to remain eligible to receive Title IV federal aid.
  • The academic plan requires specified cumulative GPA of 2.0 and 75% pace progression.  While on academic plan, the student will continue to receive federal financial aid as long as the student adheres to the academic plan.  The student’s academic plan will be evaluated at the end of each semester.  Students will be allowed a maximum of five (5) appeals while attending Delgado Community College, not including continuing academic plans.

    Example 1:  if a student is enrolled in 12 hours and drops a 3 hour course, the student is meeting 75% pace progression (12hours-3hours=9hours; therefore 9 hours divided by 12 hours = 75% pace progression).
    However, Example 2:  if a student is enrolled in 9 hours and drops a 3 hour course, the student is NOT meeting 75% pace progression (9hours-3hours=6hours; therefore 6 hours divided by 9 hours = 66% pace progression). 

Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility

Students must enroll and be actively attending in order to re-establish financial aid eligibility.  Students who do not meet SAP standards have two options to be eligible to receive financial aid for future semesters:

1. Attend at their own expense without the benefit of federal financial aid.

2. Appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.

If a student chooses to sit out or attend another school for a period of time, he/she will be required to meet the SAP standards for the semester in which he/she re-enrolls at  Delgado. (Sitting out has no bearing on regaining eligibility.) 

Transfer Students 

Transfer students are required to meet the minimum academic standards set by Delgado in order to receive federal financial aid.  All transfer students attending Delgado Community College during their first semester will receive a SAP warning – (no formal documentation required).  Students will have their SAP status reviewed at the end of the first semester, to determine if satisfactory academic standards are being met.

STEP/Dual Enrollment Students

Students enrolled in the Strategies to Empower People (STEP) adult education program, dual enrollment students, and all other high school students taking college courses during high school will have these courses evaluated when matriculating at Delgado Community College. 

The qualitative standard is the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).  The qualitative standard requires that as the number of hours attempted increases, the student’s cumulative GPA increases.  Delgado students will need to achieve a cumulative GPA relative to the total number of hours attempted as outlined below:

All grades attempted (for major) will be considered.  These include, but are not limited to, courses passed, courses failed, courses from which the student withdrew (officially or unofficially), repeated courses, transfer courses, and remedial/developmental coursework. (See Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility.)

Any student who fails to meet SAP standards after two consecutive semesters will be denied federal student aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Program Measured Clock Hour/Cosmetology Students

Students may receive federal financial aid if they have attempted below 150% of the hours as measured by the cumulative number of clock hours they are required to complete in their programs.  (Delgado normal SAP policy regulations apply.)

• A student in a clock hour program cannot receive federal financial aid for hours beyond those required in the program. For example, if the program equals 500 clock hours, the student cannot exceed 750 clock hours (500x150%=750).
   
• The maximum allowable time frame applies to the amount of calendar time the student takes to complete those hours. For example, if it takes 2 calendar years to complete the program, the student cannot exceed 3 calendar years (2 x 150%=3).

Scholarship/Grant Only Students

Students who are enrolled on a scholarship or grant but are not receiving federal financial aid will also have all courses reviewed and counted when assessing academic progression.

Students Changing Majors 

For students who change majors, the Delgado Community College SAP policy will follow the same change-of-major policy as outlined College-wide.

Certificate Programs

For students enrolled in certificate programs that are less than a year in completion time, their academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester.

Progression Standards

1. Developmental/Remedial and ESL Courses  

Developmental/remedial courses and English as a Second Language courses will be counted toward a student’s qualitative and Pace progression standards for SAP.  However, a student may receive financial aid for a maximum of 30 semester hours of developmental/remedial courses as long as the courses are required as a result of placement testing, the student is in an eligible program of study, and SAP requirements continue to be met.  ESL credits are unlimited in number as long as they are taken as part of an eligible program and SAP requirements continue to be met. 

2. Repetitive Coursework

Repetitive (repeated) courses will count toward a student’s hours attempted.  Repeated courses that were previously failed are counted in hours pursued and, if successfully completed, hours earned.

• Students are allowed to retake a previously passed course.  A passed course is any course in which a student earns a grade of “D,” “C,” “B,” or “A.” HOWEVER, financial aid will not cover the cost of re-taking any previously passed course for the third time.  Example:  if a student receives a grade of “D” in the fall and receives a “C” in the spring for the same course- the student cannot retake the course for the third time AND receive financial aid for the same course.
• If a student withdraws before completing the course, then the federal student aid funding may not be counted as his/her allowed retake course.

3. Withdrawals, Non-Credit Courses, and Incomplete Grades

A grade of “W” will not be used in calculating a student’s grade point average.  However, in measuring a student’s adherence to the SAP standards, all credit hours for courses in which a student receives a “W” will be included in the number of semester hours attempted.  An “I” (incomplete) will be considered an “F” until a letter grade is assigned in its place.  Non-credit courses or audited courses will not be counted in hours attempted. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Assistance of grade changes. 

4. Academic Renewal

Academic renewal does not affect or alter the student’s financial aid records for financial aid eligibility.  All courses, hours attempted, and grades will be counted and considered for financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress.  Students who are granted academic renewal have the right to request a financial aid appeal. (See Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility.)  Academic renewal does not change or revise a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid eligibility.  All academic grades as well as credits attempted and earned are reviewed by the Office of Student Financial Assistance’s SAP committee. Students who are granted academic renewal have the right to appeal the loss of eligibility for federal financial aid.  See the College’s Academic Renewal   policy.

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