Satisfactory Progress

S.A.P. Appeals for Spring 2010 due January 4, 2010!

Federal regulations {CFR 668.32(f) and 668.34} require a student to move toward the completion of a degree or certificate within an eligible program when receiving financial aid. Specific requirements for academic progress for financial aid recipients are applied differently than AWC Academic Standards. Federal regulations state that Academic Progress Standards must include a review of all periods of enrollment regardless of whether or not aid was received. The student must meet the following minimum standards to receive financial aid.

• Minimum grade point average (GPA),
• Minimum number of credits successfully completed towards the declared degree/certificate each semester or academic year, and
• Maximum number of credits after which a degree/certificate must be granted.

These three standards measure both qualitative and quantitative (see box below) progress. Students will be ineligible for federal and state financial aid if these standards are not met. Each student's progress will be reviewed every semester to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid for the upcoming term.*

Qualitative Standards
Completion of Credits
If you attempt	To maintain SAP, complete	Probation starts if you complete
Full-time (12+)	9+ credits	Less than 9 credits
3/4 time (9-11)	6+ credits	Less than 6 credits
1/2 time (6-8)	3+ credits	Less than 3 credits
Below 1/2 time (5 or less)	2+ credits	Less than 1-2 credits (only allowed once)

*Note: Students receiving 0 credits due to withdrawing completely from all classes, receiving grades of "NS" or "F's" have to appeal their financial aid status at the end of that semester (see appeal process).

Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Progress*

• Your financial aid will be canceled if you do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for two consecutive terms. Your class schedule must be finalized before the first day of the term. Otherwise, any credit level changes you make may result in probation or cancellation status.

Qualitative Standards

• Students receiving Title IV funds must maintain the following cumulative GPA ranges.

Minimum Satisfactory Cumulative GPA Ranges
0-5 Credits	0.0-1.0
6-9	0.7-1.3
10-14	1.0-1.4
15-19	1.2-1.6
20-24	1.4-1.8
25-29	1.6-1.9
30-35+	1.8-2.0

 Maximum Number of Credits

• The maximum time frame for completion of a degree or certificate is measured by the total number of credits a student earns. This includes transfer credits and all semesters of enrollment (including summer sessions) and applies to each degree or certificate pursued whether or not financial aid was received. Once the maximum number of credits is completed, the federal financial aid eligibility ends.

Program	Maximum Credit Hours*
Certificate	variable
Associate of Applied Science	80
Associate of Art	80
Associate of Business	80
Associate of General Studies	80
Associate of Science	80
*125%

 Other Progress Issues

• Effects of Consortium Credits on Satisfactory Progress - Consortium credits will count towards Satisfactory Progress requirements.
• Developmental Courses - A maximum of 30 credits of developmental classes (excluding ESL courses) may be counted towards a student's minimum-credits-per-academic-year-require-ment. However, these credits will not be charged against the total maximum credits allowed. The exact number of allowable developmental credits will be determined by a student's academic skill assessment results.
• If You Change Your Program of Study - You must notify the Financial Aid Office in writing if you change your program of study. If you have already attempted 100% of the credits required for graduation in your new program but have not graduated, you will also need to submit an IEP (Individual Educational Plan).

Progress Towards Graduation

• You will be required to have your course progress reviewed to determine what classes are still needed for graduation. This is required once you have completed the number of credit hours for your program of study (example, 64 credits for an Associate of Arts degree). You will be required to complete an Individual Educational Plan with your academic or program advisor. This IEP must list the classes you intend to take each term, starting with the current semester, to the last semester when you will graduate. This IEP cannot include classes needed for transfer into another program or college unless those classes are applicable to your current Arizona Western College degree or certificate. After you turn in your IEP, the Financial Aid Office will not pay for any classes you register for that are not listed on your IEP. For example, if you register for 10 credits from your IEP and a 3 credit class is not listed on your IEP, financial aid will fund you at 3/4 time only for the eligible 10 credits. Your IEP is to be turned in to the Financial Aid Office.

Appeal Process

• A student who has lost financial aid eligibility may appeal. All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships using the Satisfactory Academic Appeal Form and with appropriate documentation. Documentation may include a letter from an AWC counselor, a physician, attorney, social services agency, parole officer, obituary notice, or divorce decree. Extenuating circumstances that may be considered include: personal illness or accident, serious illness or death within immediate family, long-term absence from school, or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the student. The condition or situation must no longer exist, and the student must be able to complete course work successfully or an appeal will not be granted. Results of an appeal include approval, probation, or denial. Incomplete or undocumented appeals will be automatically denied.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility

• A student who has lost financial aid eligibility may be reinstated after successful completion (without federal funds) of at least six (6) credit hours with a semester GPA of 2.0.