What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
To be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid, you must be maintaining progress toward a degree, certificate or transfer. Maintaining academic progress at Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) means you must: 1) satisfactorily complete at least 67% of the units you attempt each semester, 2) maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and 3) complete your education program within the maximum unit timeframe allowed.
How many units must I enroll in and complete to maintain eligibility for aid?
The Office of Financial Aid does not impose a minimum number of units each semester, although most financial aid programs require at least 6 units per semester (half-time status) to receive funds. Therefore, you may decide each semester how many units you will attempt. In deciding, consider such factors as employment, course difficulty, family responsibility, academic probation, etc.
What is MSJC definition of “attempted” and “completed” units?
Attempted units are any units for which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, RD, P, NP, CR, NC, I, IP, or W is received after the last date to drop a class without receiving a “W” grade. Attempted units include all coursework at MSJC as well as all other transferable course-work at other institutions.
You complete a course when you earn credit by receiving a passing grade of A, B, C, D, P, or CR.
Do non-degree applicable and repeated courses count for financial aid?
Up to 30 units of non-degree applicable/remedial qualify for federal financial aid. You may be paid for any repeated class if you previously failed that class and/or for any one class that you previously passed but want to retake. Note: financial aid policy differs from the academic policy governing repeated courses.
What happens if I earn less than 67% of my attempted units or fall below a 2.0?
If you earned less than 67% of your attempted units or your GPA falls below 2.0, you are automatically placed on Financial Aid “WARNING” status for the following semester. A warning status is eligible for financial aid. Some students will be automatically terminated based on previous academic history and/or the inability to bring your cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or higher.
How do I re-qualify if my eligibility is terminated?
At the end of the following semester, if you successfully earned at least 67% of your attempted units and have a 2.0 cumulative GPA, the Financial Aid Office will automatically re-evaluate your file.
How can I monitor my own SAP status?
It easy! Calculate your percentage of earned units using this formula:
(Earned Units)
Divided by
(Attempted Units)
Example:
8 Earned Units
Divided by
12 Attempted Units
8/12=67%
How does MSJC define the maximum unit timeframe?
Federal regulations require that you complete your academic programs within 150% of the standard timeframe for your program. At MSJC, 72 units is used as the standard, with 90 attempted units as the maximum units for a AA/AS degree. All units are counted even if you did not receive financial aid and even if the units do not count for unit credit toward graduation and/or transfer. Once you reach the maximum units for your program, you are ineligible to receive financial aid.
Please note: Students enrolled in an eligible Certificate program will be allowed to attempt up to 150% of the published number of units required to earn the certificate.
May I appeal if I lose my eligibility because I earned less than 67% of my attempted units or exceed the maximum units allowed?
You have a right to appeal a financial aid SAP or maximum unit termination by presenting a written petition with a personal statement and documentation of mitigating circumstances. Petitions for Financial Aid SAP Reinstatement Petition forms are available online at www.msjc.edu/faforms.
Please follow the instructions on the appeal form to document your special circumstances. The SAP Appeals Committee evaluates all SAP appeals considering such factors as your personal statement, your academic history, your documented extenuating circumstances and your ability to achieve academic progress in the future.
Extenuating circumstances do not include the following:
· Applying for an additional degree or certificate
· Changed your mind about current degree plan
· Did not like the instructor; had conflicts with the instructor, did not like the course
· Death of anyone other than immediate family member
· Illness of anyone other than you or your immediate family member
· You were young and unaware of the importance of an education and/or financial aid policies
Please allow 4-6 weeks for the committee to evaluate and respond to your appeal.
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