Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal and state laws require that students must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in their course of study in order to receive federal financial assistance.

These standards apply to all periods of attendance, even periods when a student did not receive financial aid.

The Angelina College Financial Aid Office assesses satisfactory academic progress at the end of
each payment period (Fall term, Spring term, and Summer term).

SAP calculations include:

1. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA): This is a qualitative measure that evaluates a student’s GPA on coursework at Angelina College. 
2. Completion Pace: This is a quantitative formula that measures whether a student is on pace to complete their education within the maximum time frame. A student must complete at least 66.6% of the total cumulative hours attempted. Grades of W, I or F will count as non-completed courses. Repeated courses are calculated as a part of pace. Credit hours transferred from another institution are counted toward pace.

Federal and state laws require that students must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in their course of study in order to receive federal financial assistance. These standards apply to all periods of attendance, even periods when a student did not receive financial aid. The Angelina College Financial Aid Office will assess satisfactory academic progress at the end of each payment period (Fall term, Spring term, and Summer term).

Maximum Time Frame: A student receiving financial aid will be expected to complete his/her educational course of study within a reasonable period of time. The maximum credit hour limit is 150% of the credit hours of the published degree/course requirements for the specific program in which the student is enrolled. Credit hours transferred from another college or university will be included. Developmental hours will be excluded from the 150% maximum. Once the maximum attempted hours are reached, financial aid eligibility is denied for all subsequent hours of enrollment. No warning letters are provided for maximum time frame.

To make Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must meet the following:

1. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA): This is a qualitative measure that evaluates a student’s GPA on coursework at Angelina College. Students will maintain SAP if their GPA is as follows: Credit Hours attempted Minimum GPA 1 – 20 hours 1.5 GPA 21 – 30 hours 1.75 GPA 31 and above 2.00 GPA
   

   Credit Hours Attempted	Minimum GPA
   1 – 20 hours	1.5 GPA
   21 – 30 hours	1.75 GPA
   30 and above	2.00 GPA

2. Completion Pace: This is a quantitative formula that measures whether a student is on pace to complete their education within the maximum time frame. A student must complete at least 66.6% of the total cumulative hours attempted. Attempted hours for financial aid purposes are the hours a student was enrolled in at the Census Date. Grades of W, I or F will count as non-completed courses. Repeated courses are calculated as a part of pace. A grade of IP in a developmental course will be considered as completion of that course. Credit hours transferred from another institution are counted toward pace.

Warning and Suspension: A student will be placed on financial aid warning status for one payment period if his/her cumulative GPA or Completion Pace is less than that required as stated above. Students will still be eligible for aid for the payment period that they are on a financial aid warning status. If the student does not reach the Minimum GPA or Completion Pace standards by the end of the warning payment period he/she will be placed on financial aid suspension, and ineligible for Title IV financial aid assistance or TPEG. Students will be notified of their warning or suspension status.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid: A student who has lost eligibility for financial aid assistance may regain eligibility by making Satisfactory Academic Progress if they take coursework which raises their minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) and Completion Rate to the levels outlined above. The student should contact the financial aid office once they have met these requirements.

A student who has been placed on Financial Aid Suspension may also submit a written appeal of their suspension to the Financial Aid Office if they feel their inability to make satisfactory academic progress was the result of the death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances. The appeal must include a detailed explanation of why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow them to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress by the end of the next payment period. The appeal must include a degree plan signed by the student’s advisor, and supporting documentation to assist the appeals committee in making a determination.

The financial aid appeals committee will consider the written appeal, and notification of the committee’s decision will be sent to the student prior to the next registration period. Financial Aid appeals will not be processed during a registration period.