Financial Aid - Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Introduction
All students receiving federal and state student financial aid must adhere to the college’s Student Financial Services Office policy on standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The intent of this policy is to ensure that students who are receiving federal and/or state financial aid are making measurable progress toward completion of a degree or certificate program in a reasonable period of time. Federal and state regulations prohibit the awarding of financial assistance beyond 150 percent of the published program length.
In all instances, financial assistance will be limited to a maximum of 180 hours attempted.
As a recipient of Federal or State financial aid, you have certain rights and responsibilities. Failure to fulfill your part of the agreement, as described, may result in the cancellation of your award and you may have to repay any funds already received.
Scope
This policy applies to those students applying for or receiving federal and/or state funds. To reasonably measure a student’s satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the degree, certificate, or diploma in which the student is enrolled. The student’s total academic record will be evaluated. This includes all academic work attempted at MTC and any transfer hours from other schools attended that are accepted at MTC. As recipients of federal or state financial assistance, students have certain rights and responsibilities. Students’ failure to fulfill their responsibilities to make satisfactory academic progress as described may result in the cancellation of their awards, and any funds already received may have to be repaid.
Monitoring Procedures
The Student Financial Services office will monitor satisfactory academic progress for all students receiving federal or state financial aid at the end of each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) after grades have posted to ensure that they are making satisfactory progress toward program completion. Failure to meet any one of these standards may result in the cancellation of future financial aid. The standards defining satisfactory progress are outlined below.
Fresh Start
Be advised that federal regulations require that all courses attempted must be included in evaluating a student’s satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes.
Course Withdrawals, Incompletes, Repetitions, Remedial or Developmental
Students who receive federal or state financial aid must be aware that repeated courses, noncredit remedial courses, and grades of W, WF, I, and NC will be considered in assessing progress toward completion. or state assistance. Courses with these grades are considered not earned. When a student receives a grade change, the student will need to notify the Office of Student Financial Services for re-evaluation if the student is on Financial Aid Warning, Probation or Suspension.
Developmental Studies and Remedial Coursework Standards of Progress
Financial aid recipients may take a maximum of 30 credit hours in Developmental Studies (DVS) and remedial course work or prerequisite courses that are not included in the program of study. The grades from these courses are included in the cumulative GPA calculation.
Transfer Students
All transfer students will be evaluated to determine if they are making satisfactory academic progress prior to being packaged for financial assistance. The evaluation process is based on all hours attempted at MTC and all transfer hours accepted by MTC.
Change of Major(s)
Students who change their majors are still responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the procedure as outlined. A review of satisfactory academic progress will be based on the student’s current program of study at the end of each term enrolled. If the student has changed majors prior to the end of the semester, eligibility will be assessed against the new program of study.
A student changing from an associate program into a diploma or certificate program of study may lose federal and state eligibility immediately upon making the change if the attempted hours are equal to or in excess of 150 percent of the hours required for the certificate or diploma program.
Standards
Length of Eligibility (Maximum Time Frame)
The Office of Student Financial Services monitors the Satisfactory Academic Progress of all students receiving federal and state aid. Financial aid recipients are eligible for assistance until they have attempted up to one and a half (150 percent) times the number of semester hours required for the program of study currently enrolled in.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
Students who fail to earn the required cumulative college GPA of 2.0 will be placed on warning during the next semester they enroll in the college. Students in all programs of study who are placed on probation will be reviewed at the end of the semester. Students who fail to attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater will lose federal and state aid eligibility. Developmental coursework grades will not be calculated in the cumulative GPA requirement.
Completion Rate (Pace)
Students who fail to attain a completion rate of 67% will be placed on warning during the next semester they enroll in the college. Students in all programs of study who are placed on probation will be reviewed at the end of the semester. Students who fail to attain a completion rate of 67% will lose federal and state aid eligibility.
Notification
Following a review, a student who has failed to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress will be notified by email of the resulting ineligibility for federal or state funds. Students may also log into their MyMTC account and access MyFinancialAid to view their most recent Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status. Future awards will be canceled upon becoming ineligible. To receive consideration for reinstatement of federal or state assistance, a student will need to submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services.
Results of NOT meeting SAP
Students who do not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be sanctioned according to federal mandates and may lose eligibility for their financial aid award(s).
Financial Aid Warning
Students are evaluated on Satisfactory Academic Progress standards at the end of each term (Fall, Spring and Summer). Students who are not maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress for the first consecutive semester will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Students on a Financial Aid Warning Status can receive financial aid for one term without submitting a financial aid SAP appeal. At the end of the term, the student must meet the criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards after a term of Financial Aid Warning are placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Financial Aid awards will be canceled when a student is placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Returning students who did not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress in the previous enrollment with Midlands Technical College will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension upon their return to the college.
Students on Financial Aid Suspension are ineligible for student financial aid unless they submit an appeal and the appeal is granted. Approval of appeals is at the discretion of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
Financial Aid Probation
Financial Aid Probation is a status assigned to a student who fails to meet SAP (following Financial Aid Warning status) and who has successfully appealed and has had eligibility for financial aid reinstated. A student may only be considered on Financial Aid Probation for one semester; however, he or she may be able to continue receiving financial aid if the student is meeting the requirements of an approved Academic Plan.
Re-Establishing Eligibility for Financial Aid
Students will be reinstated for financial aid eligibility when they have successfully completed 67 percent of attempted hours and have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average as set forth in this policy.
Appeal of Financial Aid Ineligibility
A. An ineligible student may appeal by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form to the Student Financial Services Office indicating reasons why minimum academic standards were not achieved and what actions have been taken or what changes have occurred to resolve the problem. Each appeal will be considered on its own merit. Individual cases will not be considered as precedent. Examples of extenuating circumstances may include but are not limited to the following:
- Death in the student’s immediate family that has been documented.
- Personal illness requiring a loss of the equivalent of more than five consecutive class days that can be supported by a letter from a physician.
- Serious illness in the student’s immediate family that can be supported by a letter of documentation from the family member’s attending physician.
- Change in job schedule/responsibilities required by the employer and documented by the employer.
- Circumstances regarding approval of Academic Fresh Start, if applicable.
B. The appeal of financial aid will be reviewed and a determination made. The student will be advised in writing of the decision by email to the student’s official college email account.
C. If the appeal is approved, the student will be assigned an academic improvement plan by which they must comply. Students must continue to meet the term of their academic plan each semester until they have achieved a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 67 percent completion rate. Students in violation of the 150 percent rule must continue to meet the terms of their academic plan to receive financial assistance at the college. Should the student fail to meet their academic plan, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and the student’s future awards will be canceled.
D. Students may only appeal a maximum of three times during their academic career at Midlands Technical College, previously cited medical issues cannot be used as acceptable reasons for ongoing semesters unless the student can explain what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to make Satisfactory Academic Progress at the next evaluation. The student must provide supporting documentation for the appeal.
E. Decisions on appeals are final and cannot be appealed at any other college or federal level.
Financial aid suspension does not hinder you from attending Midlands Technical College. Please visit https://www.midlandstech.edu/financial-aid-and-tuition/tuition-fees-and-payment/tuition-payment-information for additional payment options.
Questions?
Contact Student Financial Services
Phone: 803.738.7792
Toll-free: 800.922.8038
asksfs@midlandstech.edu
Locations
Airport Student Center | Room 254
Beltline Student Center | Room 130