SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY (SAP)
South Central College is responsible to both the public and its students to provide sound post-secondary education in an economic and efficient manner. This responsibility includes the obligation to require satisfactory academic progress from its students in return for the opportunity afforded them by a tax supported college.
Federal and state law requires that a recipient of state or federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress towards a degree or certificate to remain eligible for aid. In compliance with federal and state law the college has established and will apply the following standards of academic progress.
All students in certificate, diploma or associate degree programs must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and must complete at least 67% of all registered/attempted credits each semester to be in good academic standing and to be eligible to receive financial aid. In addition, all financial aid recipients must meet complete his or her program within the maximum time frame of 150% of the number of credits required in the program of record.
South Central College will evaluate satisfactory academic progress of all students after each term including fall, spring and summer.
Probation - Students will be placed on probation if:
- their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0.
- their cumulative completion rate is below the accepted level.
- they were previously suspended at SCC or another institution and have been re-admitted to the college.
Students will be allowed to register and receive financial aid during the probationary period.
Suspension - Students will be suspended if:
- their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 for the two most recent terms or admitted in a probationary status or
- their completion rate falls below the accepted level following a probationary term.
- they were re-admitted on probation and their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 for the most recent term.
- they have exceeded the 150% maximum time frame for completion of their program.
Suspended students may not register or receive financial aid during the period of suspension.
LENGTH OF SUSPENSION
Students suspended will be suspended from registration for one academic term, not including summer sessions. Students must apply for re-admission. If re-admitted, students will re-enter with a probationary status. Students must apply for re-admission and meet with their program adviser and the college counselor. If re-admitted, the student will re-enter with a probationary status.
Students suspended from financial aid eligibility can only regain eligibility by improving their academic performance so that they are once again meeting the 2.0 GPA and 67% completion standards, or by successfully appealing their suspension. NOTE: students who have exceeded the maximum time frame may only regain eligibility by successfully appealing their suspension.
Neither sitting out a period of time, nor paying for classes without financial aid is sufficient for regaining financial aid eligibility.
NOTIFICATION
The student will be notified in writing (letter or email) of their suspension. The college may immediately suspend a student in the event of extraordinary circumstances, such as a student who was previously suspended and whose academic performance falls below acceptable levels during a subsequent term, or a student who demonstrates an attendance pattern that abuses the receipt of financial aid either at SCC or prior institutions attended, etc.
APPEAL PROCEDURES
A student who fails to make satisfactory academic progress and is suspended from financial aid has the right to appeal based on special, unusual or extenuating circumstances causing undue hardship such as death in the family, student's injury or illness or other special circumstances as determined by the institution.
Appeals much be submitted in writing on a form available from the Student Affairs Center or online under Financial Aid Forms. The appeal must include an explanation of the special, unusual or extenuating circumstances causing undue hardship that affected progress as well as what the student's plans are to correct the deficiency.
The Appeals committee consists of the Counselor and Academic Deans, the Director of Financial Aid and the Registrar. Within ten business days of receiving the appeal, the committee will make a decision on the appeal and notify the student in writing of the decision. The committee's decision shall be final within the college and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
REINSTATEMENT
A student who has been suspended from financial aid may have their aid reinstated after an appeal has been approved or the minimum cumulative standards have been achieved.
Following an academic/financial aid suspension, a student must apply for academic reinstatement through the Student Affairs Center, even is he/she has served the term of suspension. The student will be required to submit a written statement indicating what factors in his/her personal situation have changed to allow him/her greater academic success upon his/her return to SCC. Registration will not be allowed for credit or hour-based courses until reinstatement requests have been approved. Reinstatement requests must be made no later than seven calendar days before the start date of the term of reinstatement.
ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) -The grading policy stated in the Student Handbook is used to determine the cumulative Grade Point Average. This average is in turn used to determine if a student is maintaining satisfactory progress.
Minimum Credit Completion Standard - The student must complete at least 67% of all registered/attempted credits each semester. Grades of F, I, NC, W, Z and IP (or blank/missing) are treated as registered credits but NOT earned credits and thus negatively impact the percent of completion. (This is based on credits enrolled in on the 5th day of the term.) % earned = cumulative earned credits divided by cumulative registered credits.
Maximum Time Frame Allowance - Maximum time for a student to complete his/her program shall be 150% of the number of credits required in the program of record. (Financial aid recipients only)
Treatment of Grades - Incomplete Grades - The mark of "I" (incomplete) is a temporary grade which is assigned only in exceptional circumstances. It will be given only to students who cannot complete the work of a course on a schedule because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control. An "I" grade will automatically become an "F" grade at the end of the next term (not including summer session) if requirements to complete course work have not been satisfactorily met. Instructors have the option of setting an earlier completion date for the student. Test Out - Credits earned through test out do not count toward the total credits enrolled per term for aid purposes.
Academic Review - Credits for which a student has been granted academic review WILL be included in all financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Audited Courses - Audited courses are not aid eligible and are not included in any financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Consortium Credits - Consortium credits are those credits for which a student is registered at another college, which are accepted in transfer by this college and are included for purposes of processing financial aid at this college. These credits are included in all financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Remedial Credits - Developmental credits are those awarded for remedial course work (below 1000 level). Students may receive financial aid for developmental credits up to a maximum of 30 credit hours (excluding ESL). These credits are included in all financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Repeat Courses - Repeat credits are credits awarded when a student repeats a course in order to improve a grade. A student may repeat a class as allowed by the institution. The institution will determine which grade will become the grade calculated in the GPA. All repeated credits are included in the percent of completion and maximum time frame calculations.
Transfer Credits - Transfer credits are credits earned at another college which are accepted by this college. Transfer credits are not included when calculating the qualitative or quantitative requirements, but are included when calculating maximum time frame.
Withdraw - The mark of "W" (withdraw) is assigned when a student withdraws from a class after the drop period. It is not included when calculating grade point average or earned credits. Thus, it does not impact GPA but will negatively impact earned credits and, therefore, negatively impact the student's percent of completion.
Should a student drop or be dropped from a course in which they received aid and received a full refund, the student will be liable for aid received, and must repay the funds.