Student Responsibility

GCSC Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

UPDATED FINANCIAL AID SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP)
PLEASE READ BEFORE COMPLETING APPEAL FORM

At the end of each semester, every financial aid recipient will have their academic progress evaluated.  Students must be meeting all three SAP standards in order to be eligible for Title IV federal financial aid.  When evaluating academic progress, all college credits, vocation credits, and developmental credits attempted are combined as well as transfer credits accepted from other institutions.  “Attempted” is defined as all courses in which a student has processed an official registration and in which a student remains enrolled after the drop/add period. 
Note: Students in the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) will only be evaluated based on credits taken in that program.

Required Standards

• Grade Point Average (GPA): Students must meet the following cumulative GPA requirements depending on the total number of credit hours attempted
• 1 – 14 attempted hours must maintain a 1.5 GPA
• 15 – 29 attempted hours must maintain a 1.75 GPA
• 30 or more attempted hours must maintain a 2.00 GPA
• Completion Rate: Financial aid students must also complete at least 67% of the credit hours they attempt each semester and overall.
• Maximum Time Frame: Students lose their financial aid eligibility once they cannot complete their degree within 150% of the number of credit hours it takes to graduate.  Example: AA degree requires 60 credit hours to graduate, 150% of 60=90 credit hours.  Once that student cannot complete their degree within 90 credit hours, they are no longer eligible for federal financial aid.

Financial Aid SAP Statuses

Status 1:  Financial Aid Warning

The first semester a student fails to meet either of the top two SAP standards that student will be placed on financial aid warning.

• Financial aid will not pre-pay tuition until grades post.
• Students are notified by mail and/or email after grades post each semester.  The letter explains they are not meeting SAP and will become ineligible for financial aid if they are still not meeting SAP at the end of their next semester. 
• Continue receiving Title IV (federal financial aid) funding for one semester
• If not meeting SAP standards after being on Warning for one semester, student is automatically suspended, regardless of grades earned during that semester.
• Warning status does not apply to students who have reached their Maximum Time Frame.

Status 2:  Financial Aid Suspension

The second semester a student is not meeting overall GPA and Completion Rate SAP requirements that student is placed on financial aid suspension.  Also, the first semester a student has reached their Maximum Time Frame the student is placed on financial aid suspension.

• Students are notified by mail and/or email after grades post that they are ineligible to receive Title IV funds.
• If a student has unusual and mitigating circumstances, they can appeal their suspension (See appeal process below).  They must submit a written explanation of their special circumstances, documentation of special circumstance, and an academic plan established by meeting with an academic advisor.  The academic plan will be a road map on how the student can progress towards completion and improve their grades so they can meet SAP. 

Status 3:  Financial Aid Probation

When a student is on Financial Aid Suspension, but has an approved appeal.

• Once probation status has been granted, the student regains eligibility for Title IV aid for one semester.
• Students on probation must follow the requirements of their academic plan in order to be on probation again the following semester.
• After the probationary semester, if the student still is not meeting the SAP requirements or did not meet the requirements of their academic plan the student is on suspension and loses eligibility for Title IV aid.
• Financial aid will not pre-pay tuition until that semester’s grades are evaluated.

SAP Appeal Process

A student who is on Financial Aid Suspension may appeal their loss of eligibility based on special circumstances beyond their control.  Appeals must be submitted in writing to the financial aid office with supporting documentation and an academic plan.  A student may only receive two appeals while at Gulf Coast. 
Examples of special circumstances are:

• Death of a close family member
• Illness or injury to the student or close family member having a direct effect on student’s academics
• Other unusual, special circumstances as determined by the financial aid appeals committee.

The following are not considered to be special circumstances:

• Felt overwhelmed
• Changed my work schedule
• Did not like my instructor or have a conflict with instructor
• Did not understand college and wasn't ready or mature enough
• Death or illness of friends
• Withdrew or stopped attending to avoid a bad grade
• Nobody told me that...

In order to appeal, a student must complete an appeal form and attach all items listed on that form including a written explanation, supporting documentation, and an academic plan.  Appeals are reviewed by the Financial Aid appeals committee and will take a few weeks to process.  Students will not meet with the committee.  Students will be notified by email and/or mail of the decision.

If the appeal is granted, the student is placed on financial aid probation for that semester and regains eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid.  Additional conditions may be established as part of the appeal decision.  Students on probation must abide by the requirements in their academic plan to continue their probationary status.  If they fail to meet the requirements in their academic plan, they will be placed on financial aid suspension status and will lose Title IV aid eligibility.  If new special circumstances exist, the student may appeal again.  However, a student will only be granted two appeals while at Gulf Coast State College.

If the appeal is denied by the committee, the student remains on financial aid suspension and is not eligible for Title IV aid.  The decision of the appeals committee is final.  The student may appeal again the following semester if circumstances have changed or student has additional documentation.  A student on financial aid suspension can regain Title IV aid eligibility once they are again meeting all three SAP requirements.

If you do not receive a decision on your appeal by the time your tuition payment is due, you must make other personal arrangements to pay your fees for the current or upcoming semester in order to keep your schedule of classes. In making those arrangements you should not assume your appeal will be granted or that you will have your financial aid reinstated.

Click here for SAP Appeal Form AP12