Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Title IV regulations require that each student receiving federal aid maintain satisfactory

academic progress. Satisfactory progress is measured by both a qualitative and a quantitative standard. The MCC SAP is outlined below and measures all credits included in a student’s academic history (all MCC college credits, transfer credits, & remedial credits), regardless of whether financial aid has been previously received.

The financial aid GPA/completion rate may differ from the GPA on the student's academic record due to the addition of remedial coursework. The SAP calculation is based on the financial aid GPA/completion rate. There are no exceptions.

FINANCIAL AID TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Both a quantitative (cumulative completion rate) and qualitative (cumulative GPA) standard must be maintained to receive aid. The cumulative completion rate is calculated by dividing the completed credit hours by the attempted credit hours. SAP will be evaluated each semester after grades have been recorded by the registrar. (Successfully completed grades: A, B, C, D, CE, unsuccessful grades: F, FA, I, W, AU.) All students receiving aid must successfully meet the required standards for each increment listed above. Failure to meet these standards may impact the student's eligibility for financial aid and ability to register.

150 Percent Rule
Students are only allowed to attempt a limited number of credit hours under federal financial aid guidelines. All aid is terminated once a student has attempted 150% of the required number of hours in their program of study or it becomes apparent that they can not complete the program within the 150% limit. This regulation applies to all students, including those that have not previously received aid. For example, if the degree requires 70 hours to complete, the 150% maximum timeframe would be 105 attempted hours. For diploma students, if the diploma requires 40 hours to complete, the maximum timeframe would be 60 attempted semester hours. Students must make other arrangements to pay their educational costs if their financial aid is terminated. Students pursuing a second major after graduation may be considered for appeal. REMINDER: All attempted credits count toward the 150% point even if they are not included in the current active curriculum.

Limits on Financial Aid Eligibility
Students who are enrolled in two concurrent curriculum programs (major/minor) will receive funding for eligible classes in their primary program (major). An exception occurs if the student is completing their primary program and is beginning another curriculum program during the same semester. In that case, the student will receive funding for both curriculum programs for that semester only. All additional curriculums must be approved by appeal from the financial aid officer.

REMINDER: After receiving financial aid for 12 full time semesters, students will no longer be eligible for aid from the federal government.

Withdrawal
All courses attempted are used in calculating the SAP. Withdrawals ("W") and grades of "F", "AU", or "FA" count as hours attempted. If a student changes curricula, all of the courses previously attempted will apply to the current SAP calculation. Students who withdraw may have difficulty meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements.

Warning
A student is placed on warning when SAP is not maintained. A student on warning may receive financial aid for their next enrollment term, but must return to satisfactory academic progress within the allowed term or the student will be terminated from financial aid eligibility. Students who are ineligible for aid under the 150% rule do not qualify for a warning period.

Appeal
All students are eligible to appeal their financial aid suspension status in writing to the Financial Aid Office. To appeal, the student must complete and return the appeal form found on the MCC website or in the MCC financial aid office to the Financial Aid Office. All supporting documentation must be attached or the appeal will not be accepted. Appeals are presented to the Financial Aid Committee and the Vice President of Student Services for adjudication. The student will be notified by email/mail. All aid remains terminated until the student receives notification that the appeal was approved for the next period of enrollment. Appeals are granted only in documented cases of serious illness, death of an immediate family member, natural disaster, or other traumatic episode.

Suspension/Regaining Eligibility for Aid
Students who fail to meet the standards outlined above are ineligible for aid. Excepting an approved appeal request, the only manner by which a student may regain eligibility is by completing classes at their own expense and achieving the minimum SAP requirements.

Remedial Classes
Remedial classes count toward the GPA/completion rate calculation. Students may receive aid for 30 remedial credit hours only. The financial aid GPA/completion rate may differ from the GPA on the student's academic record due to the addition of remedial coursework. The SAP calculation is based on the financial aid GPA/completion rate. There are no exceptions.

Repeating Courses
Repeating a course is allowed when the student fails to earn a passing grade. However, repeating a course counts as another attempt, which could negatively affect a student's SAP. Please note: A student may repeat a course one time in which they received a passing grade.

Courses Outside the Curriculum
It is the student's responsibility to register for courses in their program of study. Award amounts are based only on courses in a student's program of study.

NOTICE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR REGISTERING FOR CLASSES IN ONE'S PROGRAM OF STUDY, MONITORING ONE'S PROGRESSION TOWARD GRADUATION, AND AVOIDING SAP INELIGIBILITY LIES WITH THE STUDENT. When a student enrolls at MCC, they choose their course of study and have ready access to the course requirements. While MCC provides advisement and counseling to students in an effort to facilitate a student's educational interests and goals, this SAP policy is mandated by the federal government and may not be altered, ignored, or regulated on the grounds of improper or misinterpreted advisement.

All notices regarding academic progress for financial aid purposes will be sent to the email address found on the student's current FAFSA application. The student is responsible for monitoring this mailbox and/or updating their email address on the FAFSA.

The Financial Aid Office may adjust a student's award amount pending changes in eligibility status or the availability of federal/state funds. The Financial Aid Office will certify a student's enrollment status at the end of the drop/add period for each semester. All awards will be adjusted at this time to reflect the student's actual enrollment status. If a student registers for classes, they must officially drop the class(es) before the first day of class or they may be responsible for all charges incurred.

Summer Session
Credit hours attempted and completed during a summer session are included in the calculation of SAP. State funded financial aid is not available during summer session. Award amounts are based on full-time attendance for the fall and spring terms and will be pro-rated according to the number of registered hours.

Students are required to notify the Financial Aid Office if they receive financial assistance such as a scholarship, grant, or loan from an outside source since this may affect their eligibility for financial aid. They must also notify the financial aid office if they change their name, address, phone number or email. The college will use the student's financial aid funds to pay for outstanding tuition, fees, books and other charges incurred. Remaining funds will be disbursed during the semester. If the student receives aid they are not entitled to, it will be their responsibility to repay those funds. Students taking classes at two different colleges can only receive aid at one college.

Repayment of Title IV Funds Policy
Financial aid recipients who completely withdraw (officially/unofficial instructor drop/administrative drop) or fail to actively participate in all of their classes on or prior to the sixty percent (60%) point of the academic term will be subject to repayment terms (Return of Title IV Funds Policy) as outlined by the Department of Education. Simply logging into an online class does not constitute participation. If disbursement has already been made to the student, it is the student's responsibility to repay all funds due to MCC and/or the Department of Education. Federal regulations require a formula be used based on the number of calendar days in the term and the number of days of active participation by the student before withdrawal to determine how much financial aid was 'earned' by the student. The difference between aid disbursed and aid earned will be used to calculate how much the student must repay. For complete information please visit our website at: https://www.montgomery.edu/financial-aid-handbookprocedures/penaltiesrepayment.html