Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and our SAP Policy

Federal regulations require schools to monitor student academic progress for financial aid purposes. All students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to remain eligible for Title IV aid.

Section 132 of the Educational Amendments of 1976 states that students are entitled to receive Federal Student Assistance Benefits, but only if they are “maintaining satisfactory progress in the course of study he/she is pursuing according to the standards of the institution.”

For the purpose of SAP policies, financial aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Work-Study, and all grants offered by the State of North Carolina (NCCCG, NCELS, and the NC Childcare Grant). Federal regulations require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in three areas:

  1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
  2. PACE (Completion Rate): Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted coursework.
  3. Maximum Timeframe: Students must complete their academic program within 150% of the published length of the program.

Learn more about GPA, PACE, and maximum timeframe below.

According to LCC’s SAP policy, students are also limited to 30 credit hours of Title IV funding for remedial coursework, such as DMA or DRE classes, that may be required based on placement test scores. Academic records are reviewed at the end of each semester, and students are notified of their SAP standing.

GPA

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in order to be eligible to receive assistance. Financial Aid will follow the College’s policy for calculating GPA for all courses except remedial courses. Grades of “I” are included in cumulative GPA calculations but grades of “W” are not included. All grades dating back to the student’s initial enrollment at the college, including those received while not on financial assistance, are included in the student’s cumulative GPA.

PACE

Students must receive a passing grade in 67% of all coursework attempted. Grades of “F” and “W” are not passing grades. The pace of completion is cumulative and includes all coursework attempted. Transfer credits accepted are included as both attempted and completed. Incompletes, grades of “I”, are included as attempted but not completed until they are replaced with an accurate grade.

Maximum Timeframe

Students must complete their program of study within 150% of the published length of that program. For example, the Associate in Arts degree is meant to be completed in two years, or four full-time semesters. Under the 150% rule, a student has up to three years (six full-time semesters) to complete the program. Once a student reaches the 150% maximum timeframe—or it becomes clear that the student cannot graduate within the allotted timeframe—they are no longer eligible to receive Title IV funding. Transfer credits that apply to the program of study, as well as credits earned at LCC that count toward the program, are all included in the 150% maximum timeframe calculation.

Remedial Coursework

There is a 30-credit-hour limit on remedial coursework that can be funded through Title IV. While remedial courses are not included in pace of completion calculations, they are factored into the cumulative GPA in a unique way.

Students may earn only three possible grades in remedial courses:

  • PA = 4.00 quality points
  • PB = 3.00 quality points
  • R = 1.50 quality points

Frequently Asked Questions

After one semester of enrollment, financial aid students who fail to meet the College’s SAP Policy through cumulative GPA and/or pace of completion will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Students on warning may continue to receive financial aid for one additional semester. During this semester the student must re-establish satisfactory academic progress in order for the probation to be lifted at the end of the financial aid warning period. If SAP is not regained at the end of the warning period, the student is placed on Financial Aid Suspension and their Title IV funding is terminated.

Students who fail to make SAP during the probation semester will be ineligible for aid until their progress is again deemed satisfactory. A student may register and pay for classes out of pocket until they regain eligibility by raising their GPA and/or pace rate. When the student’s SAP status meets the 2.0 cumulative GPA standard and their pace meets the 67% completion standard, they are returned to a satisfactory status.

SAP Appeals are considered in the cases of students who have experienced one of the following life events: extended illness or hospitalization, an accident which incapacitates the student for an extended period of time, or the death or extended illness of an immediate family member which results in greater family responsibilities for the student. The appeal must be in writing and must be submitted along with supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. The committee will review all documents and notify students of their decision. All decisions made by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee are final.

If a SAP Appeal is approved by the committee, the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation. Students on probation meet with a counselor to develop an academic plan. The plan is designed to return the student to satisfactory academic progress within one, two, or three semesters depending on the student’s individual case. Students must meet the standards of their academic plan each semester in order to continue to receive Title IV funding.

Tips for Remaining Title IV Eligible

  • Seek advising when registering for classes. Your advisor or a counselor in Student Services can help you stay on track when choosing your classes each semester.
  • Trying to take on too many classes can result in withdrawals, which affect your completion rate, or low grades, which may lower your GPA.
  • Consult a counselor or financial aid administrator before changing your major or taking classes outside of your major, as these can affect your maximum timeframe.
  • Remember that any classes you are registered for on the day they begin will be included in your pace rate.
  • All prerequisites taken at other institutions and transferred in count towards your maximum timeframe.
  • If you have questions about grades or completion rates that will affect your SAP status, contact your financial aid advisor.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

SAP Appeals are considered in the cases of students who have experienced one of the following life events:

  • extended illness or hospitalization
  • an accident which incapacitates the student for an extended period of time
  • the death or extended illness of an immediate family member which results in greater family responsibilities for the student

The appeal must be in writing and submitted along with supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee, who will review all documents and notify students of their decision.