Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, mandates institutions of higher education to establish a standard of satisfactory academic progress for students who receive financial aid. This standard must apply to the student's entire academic history, whether Title IV financial aid was received or not. In order to remain eligible to receive aid at Georgia Highlands College, students must meet the standards specified for acceptable academic performance and for satisfactory progress toward the completion of their program of study. The standards are established within the framework of applicable federal regulations specifically for the purpose of determining the eligibility of students to receive aid under the generally funded Title IV programs, including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, ACG, SMART, Federal Work-Study, Georgia's HOPE Scholarship, and Federal Family Education Stafford Loan Programs (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), and the Federal PLUS Loan Program. They should not be confused with Probation or Good Standing as defined by academic regulations.
Students must meet the requirements in each of the three areas listed below in order to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is reviewed after every Spring Semester.
1.
Students must maintain a 2.0 or above cumulative grade point average. Learning support classes are included in the GPA calculation for financial aid purposes.
2.
Students must complete at least 67% of courses attempted. The system does not "round-up" completed hours. If a student attempts 12 hours but only completes 8, the completion rate is 66.6%. That student would not be meeting the SAP policy. Learning support classes are included in the completion ratio calculation for financial aid purposes.
The following will be considered as hours successfully completed:
1. "A" through "D" grades
2. "S" satisfactory
3. "K" credit
4. "IC" institutional credit
The following shall not be considered as semester hours completed:
1. "F" grade
2. "I" incomplete
3. "W" withdraw
4. "U" unsatisfactory
5. "V" audit
6. "WF" withdrew failing
7. "IP" used in Learning Support Services3.
Students must complete their program of study in a reasonable time frame. The maximum time frame allowed for a student to complete their program of study is 150% of the total credit hours required for the program. For example, if your academic program requires 60 semester hours for graduation, you may receive aid for up to 90 semester hours. All transfer credit hours accepted by GHC are included in the total credit hours regardless of whether the courses are required for the student’s course of study.
Financial Aid Probation
A student will automatically be placed on financial aid probation in the event
that the student fails to meet the institutional GPA and/or SAP progress
requirements. A student in this category may receive financial aid for the next
academic year, but by the end of that academic year, that student must be
making satisfactory academic progress. If the student does not make up the
deficiencies and remove himself/herself from financial aid probation, the
student is NO LONGER eligible for Financial Aid. The student will remain in
this status until he/she has returned to a satisfactory academic progress
standing. A student who does not meet the time frame requirement will, without
warning, become ineligible for financial aid.
Appeal Process
If there are extenuating circumstances that prevented a student from meeting the SAP policy, a written financial aid appeal may be submitted to the Director of the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students cannot appeal if they have exceeded the maximum time frame for their program of study (#3). You may appeal only once. While completing the appeals process, you are responsible for payment of current fees that are due by the published fee payment deadline.
Appeals can be submitted in person, by mail, or by email (Finaid@highlands.edu In the appeal, the student must address both of the following items:
1.
The extenuating circumstances that contributed to the student not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
2.
The actions that have been taken to change the circumstances and to improve academic status.
All supporting documentation must be attached to the appeal. All appeals are reviewed within 3 weeks of their submission. Once the review is complete, the student will be notified by email and by mail.
Approved
Appeals
If the appeal is approved, all students must adhere to the conditions stated in their appeal approval letter. There will be no exceptions. The appeal will carry until the next SAP review period after spring semester. If the student is still not meeting SAP requirements at that time, he/she will no longer be eligible for aid.
Students who violate their appeal will have their financial aid cancelled, and the appeal will be revoked. These students will not be eligible to receive financial aid again until all terms of the Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) Policy are being met.
Denied or Revoked Appeals
If the appeal is denied or revoked, students are not eligible to receive financial aid until all terms of the Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) Policy are being met.
Students who have a revoked or denied appeal may schedule an appointment to speak with the Vice President of Student Services.