The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress, mandates that institutions of higher education establish standards of “satisfactory academic Progress” (SAP) for students receiving federal financial aid. These standards apply to all Federal Title IV aid programs. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards apply to all students seeking federal Title IV financial aid, regardless of whether a student has received Title IV financial aid in the past. Federal regulations require that all students receiving federal financial aid make continued progress in their educational programs and toward their educational goals. (CFR 34 668.34).
Federal financial aid programs include:
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal Direct Student Loans (including Parent Loans)
Federal Work Study
CCAC'S CORE SAP POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Please click here to view the full SAP policy
- Minimum GPA: Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
- Completion Rate (Pace): Successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted credits.
- Maximum Timeframe: Complete your educational program within a maximum timeframe (150% of the published length of the program)
WARNING
What is Financial Aid Warning?
Financial Aid Warning is a status assigned to you for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria listed below upon a review of your transcript after your last semester of enrollment. You will receive only 1 warning semester.
Why Am I On Financial Aid Warning?
You were placed on Financial Aid Warning for failing to meet at least one aspect of the SAP Policy criteria listed below.
GPA: Failure to maintain a financial aid grade point average of at least a 2.0.
Unsuccessful completion of at least 67% of all credits attempted.
For more information, please view the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)policy. You can also check your current Financial Aid GPA and Completion Percentage on the Financial Aid-Self Service page from my.ccac.edu and select “Satisfactory Academic Progress” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu.
Can I Still Receive Federal Financial Aid During My Warning Semester?
YES. You can still receive the federal financial aid for which you are deemed eligible based on a completed FAFSA application and financial aid file at CCAC. However, you will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid for your next semester of enrollment if you do not meet the overall SAP criteria at the end of your warning semester.
What Happens At The End of My Financial Aid Warning Semester?
Your SAP status will be evaluated at the end of the semester to determine if you are SATISFACTORY or UNSATISFACTORY.
Your status will be based on your cumulative GPA and completion percentage and not just your most recent semester.
SATISFACTORY STATUS: If your overall Financial Aid GPA and completion percentage meets the SAP Policy criteria, you will be eligible for federal financial aid for your next semester if you meet all other eligibility requirements based on FAFSA results, etc.
UNSATISFACTORY STATUS: If you do not meet the overall SAP criteria, you will be ineligible to receive federal financial aid for your next semester of enrollment and all future semesters until you meet the SAP criteria.
If you are Unsatisfactory, you can complete a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal and Degree Audit to request to have your federal financial aid reinstated.
If your SAP Appeal is approved, you will be put on Financial Aid Probation for one semester and can receive federal financial aid for that semester. If your appeal is denied, you will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid until you are back in Satisfactory standing. You will be a cash-paying student and/or you can fund your education with an alternative source of funding such as an alternative loan, etc.
Can I Receive Federal Financial Aid for Classes Not Needed for My Current CCAC Active Major?
NO. Registered classes must be needed for your current CCAC active major to receive federal funding. Meet with an academic advisor each semester to develop your schedule based on your current active major requirements. Check-in with the Financial Aid Office or visit your Financial Aid Self-Self Service page and select “Enrolled Credits” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu to make sure your registered classes are eligible for federal financial aid.
What Can I Do to Help Myself Be Successful During My Warning Semester?
There are several things you can do to help yourself be successful during the semester. Talk with your instructor if you have questions, establish a study group, reach out to campus resources such as Supportive Services, and/or sign up for tutoring at the Math Café or the Learning Commons to receive help. Try to explore all options before withdrawing from a class as it may have a negative impact on your financial aid for the current and future semesters. Talk with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing so that we can discuss your options and the impact on your financial aid with you.
UNSATISFACTORY
What is Financial Aid Unsatisfactory ?
Financial Aid Unsatisfactory is a status assigned to you for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria listed below upon a review of your transcript after your last semester of enrollment.
Please Note: Your status will be based on your cumulative GPA and completion percentage and not just your most recent semester.
Why Am I On Financial Aid Unsatisfactory ?
You were placed on Financial Aid Unsatisfactory for failing to meet at least one aspect of the SAP Policy criteria listed below AFTER your WARNING semester.
GPA: Failure to maintain a financial aid grade point average of at least a 2.0.
Unsuccessful completion of at least 67% of all credits attempted.
For more information, please view the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy at: SAP POLICY. You can also check your current Financial Aid GPA and Completion Percentage on the Financial Aid-Self Service page from my.ccac.edu and select “Satisfactory Academic Progress” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu.
Can I Still Receive Federal Financial Aid During My Unsatisfactory Semester?
NO. You CANNOT receive federal financial aid for which you are deemed eligible based on a completed FAFSA application and financial aid file at CCAC. However, you do have the opportunity to make an appeal. If you choose to appeal, please complete the following steps:
- Complete the Progress Appeal form
- Visit an advisor to create a Degree Audit
- Submit BOTH the Progress Appeal Form and Degree Audit to the financial aid office.
Please allow 7-10 business days for review.
If your SAP Appeal is approved, you will be put on Financial Aid Probation for one semester and can receive federal financial aid for that semester. If your appeal is denied, you will be placed on Financial Aid Restriction and will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid until you are back in Satisfactory standing. You will be a cash-paying student and/or you can fund your education with an alternative source of funding such as an alternative loan, etc.
Can I Receive Federal Financial Aid for Classes Not Needed for My Current CCAC Active Major?
NO. Registered classes must be needed for your current CCAC active major to receive federal funding. Meet with an academic advisor each semester to develop your schedule based on your current active major requirements. Check-in with the Financial Aid Office or visit your Financial Aid Self-Self Service page and select “Enrolled Credits” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu to make sure your registered classes are eligible for federal financial aid.
What Can I Do to Help Myself Be Successful During My Unsatisfactory Semester?
There are several things you can do to help yourself be successful during the semester. Talk with your instructor if you have questions, establish a study group, reach out to campus resources such as Supportive Services, and/or sign up for tutoring at the Math Café or the Learning Commons to receive help. Try to explore all options before withdrawing from a class as it may have a negative impact on your financial aid for the current and future semesters. Talk with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing so that we can discuss your options and the impact on your financial aid with you.
PROBATION/CONTINUED PROBATION
What is Financial Aid PROBATION?
Financial Aid PROBATION is a status assigned to you for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria listed below upon a review of your transcript after your last semester of enrollment.
Why Am I On Financial Aid PROBATION?
You were placed on Financial Aid PROBATION for failing to meet at least one aspect of the SAP Policy criteria listed below.
GPA: Failure to maintain a financial aid grade point average of at least a 2.0.
Unsuccessful completion of at least 67% of all credits attempted.
For more information, please view the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy at: SAP POLICY. You can also check your current Financial Aid GPA and Completion Percentage on the Financial Aid Self-Service page from my.ccac.edu and select “Satisfactory Academic Progress” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu.
Can I Still Receive Federal Financial Aid During My PROBATION Semester?
YES. You can still receive the federal financial aid for which you are deemed eligible for based on a completed FAFSA application and financial aid file at CCAC. However, you will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid for your next semester of enrollment if you do not meet the overall SAP criteria at the end of your PROBATION semester.
What Happens at The End of My Financial Aid PROBATION Semester?
Your SAP status will be evaluated at the end of the semester to determine if you are SATISFACTORY, will stay on PROBATION, or move to SAP RESTRICTION.
Your status will be based on your cumulative GPA and completion percentage and not just your most recent semester.
SATISFACTORY STATUS: If your overall Financial Aid GPA and completion percentage meets the SAP Policy criteria, you will be eligible for federal financial aid for your next semester if you meet all other eligibility requirements based on FAFSA results, etc.
CONTINUED PROBATION STATUS: If you made progress for the term i.e.) have at least a 2.0 GPA and successful completion of at 67% but still do not meet the overall SAP criteria, you will stay on SAP PROBATION for your next semester of enrollment and all future semesters until you meet the SAP criteria.
RESTRICTED STATUS: If you didn’t make progress for the term, you will be placed on SAP RESTRICTION and will be ineligible to receive Federal Financial Aid.You can complete a Financial Aid Restriction Appeal Form and Degree Audit to request to have your federal financial aid reviewed and possibly reinstated. However, submitting a Financial Aid Restriction Appeal Form does not automatically guarantee your financial aid will be reinstated.
If your Financial Aid Restriction Appeal is denied, you will be placed on Financial Aid Restriction and will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid until you are back in Satisfactory standing. You will be a cash-paying student and/or you can fund your education with an alternative source of funding such as an alternative loan, etc.
Can I Receive Federal Financial Aid for Classes Not Needed for My Current CCAC Active Major?
NO. Registered classes must be needed for your current CCAC active major to receive federal funding. Meet with an academic advisor each semester to develop your schedule based on your current active major requirements. Check-in with the Financial Aid Office to make sure your registered classes are eligible for federal financial aid.
What Can I Do to Help Myself Be Successful During My PROBATION Semester?
There are several things you can do to help yourself be successful during the semester. Talk with your instructor if you have questions, establish a study group, reach out to campus resources such as Supportive Services, and/or sign up for tutoring at the Math Café or the Learning Commons to receive help. Try to explore all options before withdrawing from a class as it may have a negative impact on your financial aid for the current and future semesters. Talk with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing so that we can discuss your options and the impact on your financial aid with you.
RESTRICTION
What is Financial Aid RESTRICTION?
Financial Aid RESTRICTION is a status assigned to you for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria listed below upon a review of your transcript after your last semester of enrollment.
Please Note: Your status will be based on your cumulative GPA and completion percentage and not just your most recent semester.
Why Am I On Financial Aid RESTRICTION?
You were placed on Financial Aid RESTRICTION for failing to meet at least one aspect of the SAP Policy criteria listed below AFTER your Probation semester.
GPA: Failure to maintain a financial aid grade point average of at least a 2.0.
Unsuccessful completion of at least 67% of all credits attempted.
For more information, please view the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy at: SAP POLICY. You can also check your current Financial Aid GPA and Completion Percentage on the Financial Aid-Self Service page from my.ccac.edu and select “Satisfactory Academic Progress” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu.
Can I Still Receive Federal Financial Aid During My RESTRICTION Semester?
NO. You CANNOT receive federal financial aid for which you are deemed eligible based on a completed FAFSA application and financial aid file at CCAC. However, you do have the opportunity to make an appeal. If you choose to appeal, please complete the following steps:
- Complete the Restriction Appeal form
- Visit an advisor to create a Degree Audit
- Submit BOTH the Restriction Appeal Form and Degree Audit to the financial aid office.
Please allow 7-10 business days for review.
If your Restriction Appeal is approved, you will be put on Financial Aid Probation for one semester and can receive federal financial aid for that semester. If your appeal is denied, you will be placed on Financial Aid Restriction and will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid until you are back in Satisfactory standing. You will be a cash-paying student and/or you can fund your education with an alternative source of funding such as an alternative loan, etc.
Can I Receive Federal Financial Aid for Classes Not Needed for My Current CCAC Active Major?
NO. Registered classes must be needed for your current CCAC active major to receive federal funding. Meet with an academic advisor each semester to develop your schedule based on your current active major requirements. Check-in with the Financial Aid Office or visit your Financial Aid Self-Self Service page and select “Enrolled Credits” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu to make sure your registered classes are eligible for federal financial aid.
What Can I Do to Help Myself Be Successful During My RESTRICTION Semester?
There are several things you can do to help yourself be successful during the semester. Talk with your instructor if you have questions, establish a study group, reach out to campus resources such as Supportive Services, and/or sign up for tutoring at the Math Café or the Learning Commons to receive help. Try to explore all options before withdrawing from a class as it may have a negative impact on your financial aid for the current and future semesters. Talk with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing so that we can discuss your options and the impact on your financial aid with you.
Maximum Timeframe
What is Financial Aid MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME?
Financial Aid MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME is a status assigned to you for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria listed below upon a review of your transcript after your last semester of enrollment.
Please Note: Your status will be based on your cumulative GPA and completion percentage and not just your most recent semester.
Why Am I On Financial Aid MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME?
You were placed on Financial Aid MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME for failing to meet at least one aspect of the SAP Policy criteria listed below:
- A student must successfully complete the program of study within its timeframe. Federal regulations specify that the timeframe may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program.
For more information, please view the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy at: SAP POLICY. You can also check your current Financial Aid GPA and Completion Percentage on the Financial Aid-Self Service page from my.ccac.edu and select “Satisfactory Academic Progress” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu.
Can I Still Receive Federal Financial Aid During My MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME Semester?
NO. You CANNOT receive federal financial aid for which you are deemed eligible based on a completed FAFSA application and financial aid file at CCAC. However, you do have the opportunity to make an appeal. If you choose to appeal, please complete the following steps:
- Complete the Progress Appeal form
- Visit an advisor to create a Degree Audit
- Submit BOTH the Progress Appeal Form and Degree Audit to the financial aid office.
Please allow 7-10 business days for review
If your MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME Appeal is approved, you will be put on Financial Aid Probation for one semester and can receive federal financial aid for that semester. If your appeal is denied, you will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid until you are back in Satisfactory standing. You will be a cash-paying student and/or you can fund your education with an alternative source of funding such as an alternative loan, etc.
Can I Receive Federal Financial Aid for Classes Not Needed for My Current CCAC Active Major?
NO. Registered classes must be needed for your current CCAC active major to receive federal funding. Meet with an academic advisor each semester to develop your schedule based on your current active major requirements. Check-in with the Financial Aid Office or visit your Financial Aid Self-Self Service page and select “Enrolled Credits” from the Financial Aid drop-down menu to make sure your registered classes are eligible for federal financial aid.
What Can I Do to Help Myself Be Successful During My MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME Semester?
There are several things you can do to help yourself be successful during the semester. Talk with your instructor if you have questions, establish a study group, reach out to campus resources such as Supportive Services, and/or sign up for tutoring at the Math Café or the Learning Commons to receive help. Try to explore all options before withdrawing from a class as it may have a negative impact on your financial aid for the current and future semesters. Talk with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing so that we can discuss your options and the impact on your financial aid with you.