Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the standards set by the College and the federal government. These limitations include all terms of enrollment, whether or not aid was awarded or received. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards also apply to state aid.
Progress is measured throughout the academic program by the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA Rule) and by credits earned as a percentage of those attempted (67% Rule). In addition, students must complete their programs of study before attempting 150% of the credits required to complete the program.
The College Financial Aid Office will evaluate SAP before aid is awarded and after grades are posted for every term, starting with their first term of enrollment.
NOTE: Some career studies certificate programs are ineligible for student financial aid, but those credits will be counted toward all SAP requirements (Grade Point Average (GPA), Completion Rate, Maximum Timeframe, and Developmental Maximum) if the student later enrolls in an eligible program.
Financial Aid Student Statuses |
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Meeting SAP |
Good Standing- Students who are meeting all aspects of the SAP policy or successfully following a designated academic progress plan. |
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Warning |
Students who fail to meet SAP for the first time (excluding students who have already attempted 150% of the credits required for their programs of study) will be automatically placed in a Warning Status for one (1) term and are expected to meet SAP requirements by the end of that term. Students who fail to meet SAP requirements at the end of the warning status term will be placed on financial aid suspension. However, with a successful SAP appeal, those students will be placed on financial aid probation and will retain financial aid eligibility. |
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Probation |
Students who have successfully appealed financial aid suspension are placed in Probation Status (PS). Students in Probation Status (PS) are eligible to receive financial aid for one (1) semester, after which they MUST be in Good Standing (GS) or meeting the requirements of an academic progress plan that was pre-approved by the College Financial Aid Office. (See “IV. Appeals/” for additional information.) |
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Not Meeting SAP |
Suspension-Students who do not meet the credit progression schedule and/or the cumulative grade point average standard, or who fail to meet the requirements of their pre-approved academic progress plan, will be placed in Suspension Status (SS). Students in Suspension Status (SS) are not eligible to receive financial aid. See Steps to Appeal Your SAP Status.. |
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Academic Suspension |
Academic requirements for avoiding warning status and staying in school differ from financial aid requirements for SAP. Academic status will be noted on registration records; financial aid status will be noted on financial aid pages in the Student Information System (Your My LFCC account). Any student suspended from the College for academic or behavioral reasons is automatically ineligible for financial aid. |
Understanding the SAP Rule(s):
67% Rule- This determination is based off all the credits ever attempted at LFCC, not just the current semester. A student must successfully complete at least 67% of all credits attempted at LFCC. A successfully completed course is one where a grade of A, B, C, D, or S is earned. Unsuccessful grades include F, I, R, U, or W.
GPA Rule- This determination is based off of your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), not just the current semester. There is a GPA requirement based on credits attempted, see the chart below.
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Total Number of Credits Attempted |
GPA Requirement |
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1-15 |
1.5 |
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16-30 |
1.75 |
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31+ |
2.0 |
150% Rule- This determination is not based on grades but credits completed versus required. The calculation also includes transfer credits and any completed credits for a previous degrees or certificate. Please Note: Students that have already completed 2 degrees at LFCC are not eligible for aid, even if aid was not used for those degrees. Appeals will be denied.
Steps To Appeal Your SAP Status:
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GPA & 67% Rule |
150% Rule |
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1. Complete the first page of SAP Appeal Form for the GPA and 67% Rule. |
1. Complete the first page of SAP Appeal Form for the 150% Rule. |
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2. Write your appeal letter as described on the first page of the SAP Appeal Form. |
2. Write your appeal letter as described on the first page of the SAP Appeal Form. |
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3. Gather any supporting documentation. |
3. Gather any supporting documentation. |
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4. Schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor. The list of contacts is on the first page of the SAP Appeal Form. |
4. Print Advisement Transcript and build Academic Plan. |
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5. Submit all items to the College Financial Aid Office. |
5. Submit all items to the College Financial Aid Office. |
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6. The Financial Aid Office will notify you of the appeal decision via your Message Center. |
6. The Financial Aid Office will notify you of the appeal decision via your Message Center. |
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*If you are not meeting SAP for GPA, 67%, and 150%– ONLY complete the GPA & 67% Rule Appeal* |
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SAP Appeals must be submitted by the Friday of the first week of each semester or aid will be cancelled. Appeals submitted beyond that date will still be reviewed.