Satisfactory Academic Process

Don't Lose Your Financial Aid!
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

When you apply for financial aid, you will be required to maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving aid. The U.S. Department of Education has established a series of standards that define satisfactory academic progress, or SAP. Here's what you need to do to maintain SAP:

  1. Make the grade. You must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 to qualify for federal and state financial aid programs. Some scholarships have stricter GPA requirements. If you are placed on academic suspension or dismissal, you will be ineligible to receive financial aid.
  2. Know the difference between dropping and withdrawing from a class. You may drop a class within the add/drop period. Dropped classes will not appear on your academic record. If you decide that you do not want to take a class after the add/drop period, your action is considered a withdrawal. The withdrawal stays on your record, and that can affect your financial aid status.
  3. Avoid excessive withdrawals. You must complete 67 percent of the total credits attempted, on both a term and cumulative basis. During your academic career at LFCC, you may consider withdrawing from a class. You should consider all options before withdrawing because it may have serious implications for your financial aid eligibility.

    Federal law requires LFCC to return part of your financial aid if you withdraw from all classes and you will have to pay the amount deemed "unearned" by the Department of Education. If you don't repay that amount, you will not be eligible for future financial assistance until the debt is paid in full.

  4. Attend classes. To receive financial aid, you must attend the classes for which you enroll. If you decide that you do not want to take a class, you must drop it during the add/drop period by completing the appropriate paperwork.
  5. Don't "max out." You have a maximum of 150 percent of your program length to complete your associate degree/certificate program. Once you have exceeded 150 percent of course work for your degree/certificate program, your eligibility for aid at LFCC will be exhausted. Changes in curriculums do not constitute extended time limits for eligibility. In addition, under federal regulations, all enrollments in the Virginia Community College System will be considered whether or not aid was awarded or received.

    Example: John Jones must complete 60 credit hours to graduate; therefore, 150 percent of his program equals 90 credit hours. If John has not graduated after 90 credit hours of course work, his financial aid will be cancelled.

  6. Avoid repeat courses. Students who register for developmental courses are limited to a maximum of 30 semester hours. The Financial Aid Office cannot provide assistance for classes that have been attempted more than twice or for a developmental course attempted more than three times.

SAP Alert

The Financial Aid Office evaluates students for SAP after grades are posted at the end of each semester. Students are reviewed for SAP after attempting 12 credits.

Appeals

If you do not meet the SAP requirements and lose your financial aid eligibility, you may appeal the decision. Make your appeal, in writing, to the Financial Aid Office within 10 working days from the date the denial was mailed. Only appeals that document mitigating circumstances will be considered.

Tips for Success

To maintain SAP, remember to:

  • plan your class schedule carefully
  • maintain excellent attendance
  • meet with your counselor/advisor
  • maintain strong study habits

Need Help?

Contact the Financial Aid Office
540-868-7130
Toll free: 1-800-906-5322, ext. 7130

 
Last modified: 2009-05-29 09:33:33