Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require the Financial Aid Office to monitor the progress of all students toward the completion of a degree. This monitoring process is called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The Department of Education requires that a school monitor SAP both quantitatively and qualitatively. Satisfactory Academic Progress is essential to remain eligible to receive federal and state funds. Some institutional aid programs and some external scholarships may require students to meet the college SAP standards.
Every semester, the Financial Aid Office will monitor each undergraduate student's academic progress to determine financial aid eligibility. The following applies to all students regardless if the student received financial aid during his or her academic career. To receive financial aid, students must have:
- A cumulative GPA of a 2.0 or better in all courses attempted at Lansing Community College.
- A cumulative completion ratio of 70% or better of all courses attempted at Lansing Community College (transfer credits, withdrawals, incompletes, audits, repeated courses, and all attempted courses are reflected in this calculation).
- Completed their declared program of study prior to attempting 150% of the credit hours required for the program (including transfer credits).
Students will be placed on Financial Aid Warning if they meet one of the following criteria:
- New Students: The student has completed at least one class with a 1.0 or better and does not meet the SAP standards after the first semester of attendance.
- Continuing Students: The student was in good academic standing but failed to meet the SAP standards after grades were posted for the most recent semester of attendance. The student must have completed at least one class with a 1.0 or better in the most recent semester of attendance.
Student who are placed in Financial Aid Warning must electronically submit a Financial Aid Warning Contract. Once the warning contract has been approved, students will receive financial aid for their next semester of attendance. After the next semester of attendance, the student must meet the overall SAP standards or earn a minimum semester grade point average of a 2.0 and complete 100% of the courses attempted (no W, 0.0, Z, or I grades) until they meet the overall SAP standards.
Criteria for Appealing GPA and Completion Ratio
There may be extenuating circumstances which cause students to have an overall GPA below a 2.0 and/or a completion ratio below 70%. If extenuating circumstances exist, students may appeal the suspension of their financial aid by completing the GPA/Completion Ratio Appeal form. Students, who successfully complete one or two semesters with at least half time enrollment using their own funds, are generally approved by the Appeal Committee.
Criteria for Appealing Maximum Timeframe
There may be extenuating circumstances which causes students to not complete their program of study within the 150% timeframe. If extenuating circumstances exist, students may appeal the suspension of the financial aid by electronically submitting a Maximum Timeframe Appeal.
Note: The table below represents a student pursuing a general associate degree requiring 60 credits. In order for the student to successfully complete their program within 150% of the credit hours required and maintain a cumulative completion ratio of 70%, the student must earn the following minimum credits.
|
Semester |
Credits |
Credits |
Completion Ratio Percentage |
Maximum Timeframe Percentage |
|
1 |
11 |
15 |
73% |
25% |
|
2 |
21 |
30 |
70% |
50% |
|
3 |
32 |
45 |
71% |
75% |
|
4 |
42 |
60 |
70% |
100% |
|
5 |
53 |
75 |
70% |
125% |
|
6 |
63 |
90 |
70% |
150% |
Criteria for Appeal Decisions
Students who appeal the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy will be notified of a decision via their Banner Self Service account. If an appeal decision is not made before the start of the semester, students should consider dropping all classes within the 100% refund period unless they are able to pay for the classes using their own funds.
If a student's financial aid is reinstated, it will be reinstated for the payment period in which the documentation was received. The Payment Period is the first day of the semester through the day before the next semester. A student on an approved appeal is required to earn a minimum 2.0 overall and complete 100% of the courses attempted (no "W", "I", "Z" or "0.0" grades) each semester to retain eligibility.
If a student's financial aid is denied, the student may continue to attend classes by paying for all tuition and fees.
Financial Aid Office
Gannon Bldg, Room 203
Phone: (517) 483-1200
Additional contact information »
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday: 9am – 6pm
Friday: 9am – 4pm
School Code: 002278