Each student’s financial aid eligibility status will be updated at the end of each semester. Students will be notified of their SAP status via their student email account. Students are responsible for knowing their SAP status. Failure to receive the SAP notification or not enrolling for one or more semesters does not change the student’s status.
Satisfactory: “Satisfactory” status is achieved when the GPA, completion rate, and maximum time frame requirements are met.
Warning: “Warning” status is assigned to students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress. Financial Aid may be continued for one semester for students who were making SAP in the prior semester for which they were enrolled or who were in the first semester of their program. Students with a “Warning” status may continue to receive financial aid for ONE additional semester provided all other eligibility requirements are met. This gives the student the opportunity to improve his/her academic results. A student is responsible for meeting SAP standards by the end of the warning period (semester).
Probation on Appeal: “Probation on Appeal” status is assigned to a student who fails to make SAP and who has had their eligibility reinstated as the result of an appeal (See “Appeal Process” section below). A “Probation on Appeal” student will only receive financial aid for ONE additional semester. A “Probation on Appeal” student may not receive financial aid for subsequent payment periods unless:
Note: Subsequent appeals from the student may be considered if the student re-appeals under different mitigating circumstances.
Continued Probation: “Continued Probation” status is assigned to a student who, after failing to make SAP and after submitting a SAP Appeal Form (See “Appeals Process” section below), has been placed on an Academic Plan (See “Academic Plan” section below). A student placed on an Academic Plan must successfully follow and complete the conditions of the plan. The student will continue to receive financial aid as long as the student meets all requirements and continues to make progress as designated in the Academic Plan. If a student placed on “Continued Probation” status fails to meet the conditions of his/her Academic Plan, he/she will lose all financial aid eligibility.
If a student has lost his/her financial aid by failing to maintain SAP, the following options are available to regain eligibility:
NOTE: Students should contact the Financial Aid Office when they believe that they have regained eligibility, in the meantime, students seeking to regain eligibility for financial aid remain ineligible and must be prepared to pay tuition, fees and other related expenses.
Although a student may lose their financial aid eligibility, the student has the right to appeal their status to the Financial Aid Office and/or Financial Aid Committee and possibly have eligibility reinstated due to mitigating circumstances. A student that submits a SAP Appeal Form will have their overall academic history evaluated by the Financial Aid Office and/or Financial Aid Committee, who also may request supporting documentation. If the appeal is granted, the student will be placed either on “Probation on Appeal” or “Continued Probation.” The student will receive a Financial Aid Academic Plan Form, informing them of their appeal status and instructions for completion.
The procedure to appeal is as follows:
*Mitigating circumstances may include an injury or illness of the student, death of a relative, change in employment situations, and/or other special circumstances.
Appeal Granted – Probation on Appeal: If the student is placed on “Probation on Appeal,” the student will only receive financial aid for one additional semester. If the student does not meet SAP standards following their academic plan, at the end of the designated semester, the student will lose all financial aid eligibility unless the student re-appeals under different mitigating circumstances and is granted an additional appeal.
Appeal Granted – Continued Probation: If the student is placed on “Continued Probation,” the student will receive financial aid while following an Academic Plan. The student will be required to meet specific criteria and make progress up to a designated period of time. If the student does not meet the requirements at any point during the plan duration, the student will lose all financial aid eligibility unless the student re-appeals under different mitigating circumstances and is granted an additional appeal.
The Financial Aid Committee will recommend an Academic Plan based on the content of a student’s appeal. The plan will include specific requirements the student must meet to assist in the completion of their program of study and to continue receiving financial aid. Also, the student will be required to complete a Financial Aid Academic Plan Form with the Advising & Career Center and submit the form to the Financial Aid Office. As long as the student is making satisfactory progress, the student will remain on “Continued Probation” status for the designated period of time. If the student fails to meet the requirements set forth in the Academic Plan, the student will lose all financial aid eligibility and aid will not be reinstated until the student is making SAP unless the student re-appeals under different mitigating circumstances and is granted an additional appeal.
Appeal Denied: If the appeal is denied, the student will not be considered for future financial aid until the student has met all SAP standards or has successfully completed a semester with all passing grades, and re-appeals their SAP status.
For further explanation of SAP and related issues, please contact the Tri-County Community College Financial Aid Office at 828-837-6810.
