Financial Aid - Eligibility Policies

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Policy for Financial Aid Recipients

To qualify for financial aid, a student must make satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of a degree program. This policy applies to all students who apply for help from any federal or state financial aid program. It also applies to any other program administered by the College which requires satisfactory academic progress as a criterion for eligibility. This policy is separate from the College's general probation/dismissal policy (see "Dismissal, Academic" in the index of the college catalog).

STANDARDS FOR ELIGIBILITY

Students are making “Satisfactory Academic Progress” if they meet the following conditions: 

1. Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of not less than the following:
   

   Credit Hours Completed	Minimum GPA Required
   1 – 11	1.50 cumulative
   12 and above	2.00 cumulative

2. Complete with a passing grade (that is, an A, B, C, D, or P, including a grade with a "+" or "-") two-thirds of the cumulative hours attempted.  All withdrawal grades, incompletes, no-credit grades, and repeat classes are considered as hours attempted. 
    
3. Complete their declared major within the maximum limit: For FEDERAL aid programs, once you have attempted 150% of the number of credits normally required to complete a degree, you will not be eligible for any additional federal aid at M.C.C.  Transfer credits classes do not count in the calculation of the GPA, but they may be included in the calculation of the Maximum Limit.

   	Credits Required	150% limit
   Regular ASA/AAS degree	62	93
   Nursing	84	126
   Respiratory Therapy	103	155

 If you fail to make satisfactory academic progress at the end of a semester, you will normally be allowed to receive aid for an additional probationary semester.  If you still have not made satisfactory academic progress at the end of the second semester, you may not be eligible for any more aid until you 1) raise your cumulative GPA up to the minimum required, or 2) earn enough credits to meet the minimum cumulative required.  If you need to take any classes to make satisfactory academic progress, you will have to pay for them yourself.

LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY, APPEAL, AND REINSTATEMENT

If you are denied aid under this Policy, you have the right to appeal.  YOUR APPEAL MUST BE IN WRITING (see printable forms), and addressed to the Financial Aid Review Committee, c/o the Financial Aid Office, Room 100.  The Committee will normally consider such things as illness, a change in job schedule, or other extenuating circumstances (which were beyond your reasonable control) as grounds for a successful appeal.  Be sure to include documentation (for example, a doctor's statement), if appropriate.

If you want federal aid to earn a second associate degree, you must appeal in writing, stating your academic goal, and provide documentation (such as a "graduation audit") of the classes needed to accomplish your goal.

This policy states the minimum required for most financial aid programs.  However, some scholarship and loan programs require a higher standard (usually a higher GPA).  Therefore, you may qualify for most aid programs by meeting the above conditions, but be denied a specific scholarship or loan unless you raise your GPA or pass additional credit hours.         

OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES

Federal regulations require that, in order for an award to be renewed under a federal program, the student:

1. Must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal education loan
2. Must not have any drug convictions

In addition, the College also reserves the right to withhold all services-including the issuing of academic transcripts-from any students who have not met their financial obligations to the College.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO ACCEPTING FINANCIAL AID

Ø      I understand that I must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to be eligible for most financial aid.  I understand that the SAP Policy requires that I maintain a cumulative specified minimum grade point average and a minimum of two-thirds rate of credit completion.  I understand that if a deferred payment is extended to me and I have pending grades from the current or prior semester, my financial aid may be cancelled if I have not maintained SAP after grades are posted.  I agree that I have read and understand the SAP policy in the Financial Aid Contract.

Ø      I understand that I am required to be enrolled and attending a minimum number of credit hours in order to be eligible for financial aid.  I am also required to remain enrolled in my classes to receive those funds.  If I never attend, cease to attend, drop, withdraw, or receive all “E’s”, my financial aid may be reduced or cancelled.  I will also jeopardize my eligibility to receive financial aid in both the current and future semesters.

Ø      I understand that any violation of the regulations governing the financial aid programs is sufficient grounds for termination of my financial aid and referral for disciplinary action.  Violation include, but are not limited to, falsification of any document used to obtain financial aid, using financial aid funds for non-educational purposes, and transfer of financial aid funds to others (e.g. using your book voucher to purchase items for others).

Ø      I understand that, if my financial aid is reduced or cancelled for any reason, I will be responsible to pay for all outstanding balances of tuition, fees, books, or other expenses incurred at the college.

OMBUDSMAN FOR STUDENTS

The U.S. Department of Education provides an Office of the Ombudsman to help resolve loan disputes and problems. The following options are available for contacting the office: call toll free at (877) 557-2575, visit the Web site at www.sfahelp.ed.gov, or write to: Office of the Ombudsman, Student Financial Assistance, U.S. Department of Education, Room 3012, ROB #3, 7th and D Streets, SW, Washington DC 20202-5144