Federal and State financial aid regulations require Solano Community College (SCC) to establish, publish, and apply qualitative, quantitative and incremental standards by which SCC can determine whether a student requesting and/or receiving financial aid is maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in his/her course of study. Financial Aid requires a declared major and enrollment in a Title IV eligible program (16 or more units in length).

Solano Community College Financial Aid Office evaluates all three of the following standards at the end of each semester to determine a student’s eligibility.

At the end of each semester, the student’s academic record will be reviewed against the following standards:

Qualitative-Grade Point Average (GPA):

• Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Grades for remedial and ESL courses count in the GPA calculation.

Quantitative-Pace of Progression:

• Students must complete at least 67% of the cumulative number of SCC units attempted at each SAP evaluation.
• Completion rate is computed by dividing the total number of institutional units completed by the total number of units attempted.

Quantitative-Maximum Time Frame

• A student may not exceed 150% of published units of the program in which the student is enrolled.
• Example: For degree and transfer programs of 60 units, maximum time frame is 90 units.
• For eligible certificate programs, maximum time frame varies (i.e. 30 unit program = 45 units maximum, 18 unit program = 27 units maximum).
• All attempted units are counted in the calculation of the 150% program limits.

Warning

• Students not making SAP will be automatically placed on one term of “Warning” status.
• SCC uses SAP Warning status for students identified as not cumulatively meeting cumulative overall SAP standards for one term.
• Students may receive financial aid during the warning period.
• Students who meet the cumulative overall SAP standards at the end of their Warning semester become fully eligible again in the following term.
• Students not making SAP at the end of the warning period are determined to be ineligible for financial aid.

Reestablishing Eligibility

• Students may reestablish their eligibility by taking classes without receiving Federal financial aid, and meeting the 67% completion rate and minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Any grade changes will be assessed at the request of the student.
• Sitting out one semester or longer will not reestablish eligibility.

Student Appeals for Extenuating Circumstance

• Students determined ineligible for Federal Financial Aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress may submit a SAP appeal based on extenuating circumstances.
• Appeals require the following documentation:
  • Typed, signed, and dated statement indicating what extenuating circumstance caused the student to fall below the SAP standards, and what has changed that will allow the students to meet the standards and successfully complete their program of study.
  • Any applicable documentation of extenuating circumstances.
  • A comprehensive Student Education Plan (SEP)
  • Progress Report may be required prior to final determination.
• Outcome is a Professional Judgment decision, case-by-case and not capricious nor discriminatory.
• Exceptions to SAP Policy and/or requests for additional documentation may be made on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Financial Aid.

Probation

• Approved appeals result in the student being placed on SAP probation.
• Students may receive financial aid during terms of probation.
• Students must meet the SAP standards and make consistent academic improvement by the end of each probationary term.
• Students must complete 67% of their units attempted with a 2.0 GPA each semester while on probation. Students who meet this requirement will have their probation continued to the following term automatically. Students who do not meet this requirement will have to file another SAP appeal.