Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy - Home

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy, Effective July 1, 2011

Student Information Summary

  1. Students who complete all credit hours they register for and sustain a 2.0 or higher Grade Point Average (GPA) throughout enrollment receive uninterrupted delivery of student aid as they work to meet academic program completion requirements.
  2. State and Federal program rules require colleges to suspend financial aid eligibility for students who consistently perform at a rate of progress or GPA level below the standards required for academic program completion.
    1. State and Federal rules both focus on 2.0 GPA expectation throughout enrollment
    2. Completing below 66% of cumulative attempted credits results in federal aid suspension
    3. In some cases, students completing below 50% of their credits may become suspended from State programs while remaining eligible for Federal programs.
  3. Failure to meet SAP expectation results in the following notification sequence to the student.
    1. First term below expectation: WARNING, with emphasis to seek academic assistance
    2. Second term below expectation: SUSPENSION, with opportunity to file Petition for Reinstatement
    3. Students with approved petitions are expected to meet individual performance goals based on the basic progress expectations described in this summary.
  4. Once a student is suspended from Federal programs, they are also suspended from State programs. This simplifies the environment for all parties by allowing for a single process to request reinstatement, and a single progress expectation for the student moving forward.
  5. Students who are suspended due to academic progress reasons are provided opportunity to file a "Petition for Reinstatement". Until a student is informed of a Petition approval, they are considered to be ineligible for financial aid and are choosing to remain enrolled without aid.
  6. Petitions for Reinstatement Must include:
    1. Written statement from the student describing why they have not been able to meet progress requirements and what steps they are taking to resolve the issue.
    2. An "Education Plan" as required by Federal Regulations which clearly identifies the remaining required courses in the student's program. The Plan may not be self-advised.
  7. This Student Information Summary document is not intended to detail all grade scenarios or interactions of the more complex State and Federal regulations at the base of our for the Pierce College Financial Aid Office. Additional details may be found in the award offer information materials provided annually to students or upon request.