Federal regulations (CFR 668.32(f) and 668.34) require a student to move toward the completion of a degree or certificate within an eligible program when receiving financial aid. The academic standards must include a review of all periods of enrollment regardless of whether or not aid was received. When the required academic standards are not met, future financial aid is jeopardized.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is evaluated using three factors:
- The 2/3 Rule:
- Students who have attempted at least 6 credit hours in the last evaluation period must complete with a passing grade 2/3 of all credits attempted within that evaluation period, OR
- Students who have NOT attempted at least 6 credit hours in the last evaluation period must complete with passing grades 2/3 of ALL credits attempted.
- GPA:
All students must meet the following minimum credit hour/cumulative GPA requirement
Number of Credits
Attempted* |
Minimum Cumulative
GPA |
| 12-15 |
1.60 |
| 16-30 |
1.75 |
| 31-45 |
1.90 |
| Over 45 |
2.00 |
*for which grade points are computed.
Note: Grades of F,I,N,W,X,Y,Z, and courses not yet grade are considered attempted but not meeting progress standards for the purposes of financial aid.
- Maximum Timeframe Eligibility
- Students who have attempted more than 150% of the credits required for their program of study are not considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress and, therefore, are ineligible for financial aid funds.
- All evaluated transfer credits will be included when determining Maximum Time Frame Eligibility.
- A student with a Bachelor’s degree or higher will be considered to have exhausted Maximum Time Frame Eligibility. An exception to this rule occurs if the student is enrolled in a state-approved teacher certification program.
For more information on the SMCC SAP policy please review the college catalog.
09/10 SAP Appeal Form
10/11 SAP Appeal Form