Policies

Federal regulations require that students receiving financial aid must maintain academic and progress standards to complete his or her educational program within a specified timeframe. Financial Aid students will note that Stanly Community College’s (SCC) Academic Probation Policy contains the same GPA requirement; however, the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid Recipients is stricter than for a student enrolled in the same educational program who is not receiving financial aid. This policy is applied to all students receiving financial aid assistance within all eligible categories of students, i.e. full-time or part-time and enrolled in curriculum diplomas and degrees and eligible certificates established by the College.

Financial Aid students are evaluated at the end of each semester to determine progression. Students must meet the Academic Standard, the Program Completion Standard and stay within the Maximum Timeframe to remain in a satisfactory status.

Students are notified of their Academic Progress, as it relates to Financial Aid, by email to their SCC email address and/or can view their current status in their Self-Service Account under Financial Aid.

Academic Standard
 All Financial Aid students must maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA (grade point average). Cumulative being defined as “all” curriculum classes taken at Stanly Community College regardless of timeframe. Classes that receive an “incomplete” grade are calculated as an “F” at the time of Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation. (reference: Grade Policy located on SCC website under Academics → Policies and Rules). Classes from which the student withdraws have no bearing on the GPA.

If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.00, the student is placed on a financial aid warning status and will be notified by the Financial Aid Office. The student then has a warning period of enrollment in which to achieve a return to a 2.00 cumulative GPA. The warning period of enrollment is the next semester the student is enrolled at SCC and the student is eligible for financial aid assistance during this semester. If at the end of the warning semester a cumulative 2.00 GPA is not achieved, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid. The student may regain financial aid eligibility by reaching a cumulative 2.00 GPA through self-pay or outside resources.

Program Completion Standard
 All Financial Aid students must complete at least two-thirds or 67 percent of curriculum hours attempted at SCC including accepted transfer credits regardless of timeframe. The percentage is determined by taking the cumulative total of credit hours completed divided by the cumulative total of hours attempted. For example, a student who has completed 32 hours and attempted 64 has a completion rate of 50% (32 divided by 64). Attempted but not completed credit hours include withdrawals, incompletes, repeat classes and courses with a grade of “F”.

If a student’s percentage rate falls below 67%, the student is placed on a warning status and will be notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office. The student then has a warning period of enrollment in which to earn a completion rate of 67% or more.  The warning period of enrollment is the next semester the student is enrolled at SCC. The student is eligible for financial aid assistance during this warning period of enrollment. If at the end of the warning semester a cumulative 67% completion rate is not achieved, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid. The student may regain financial aid eligibility by reaching a cumulative 67% or more completion rate through self-pay or outside resources.

Maximum Timeframe
All Financial Aid students must complete their educational program within 150% of the published length. NOTE: The student should understand that the 150% Maximum Timeframe applies to “all” curriculum hours attempted at SCC including accepted transfer credits regardless of timeframe. The SCC college catalog provides a course sequence for each educational program and the number of total credit hours needed to complete the program. The published lengths do not take into consideration developmental/remedial credit hours. For example, the Associate Degree in Criminal Justice is 68 credit hours in length, therefore, a financial aid student enrolled may attempt, including transfer credit hours, up to 102 credit hours (68 credit hours times 150%) and remain eligible for financial aid.

Financial Aid students who exceed the 150% maximum timeframe will no longer be eligible for financial aid. The maximum timeframe does not provide for a warning period.

Developmental Classes

Attempted or completed developmental credit hours are not included in the Program Completion Standard or the Maximum Timeframe calculations; however, the completion or non-completion of developmental classes will be counted in the Academic Standard calculation.  A grade of “P” will count as an “A” and the grade of “R” will count as an “F” for financial aid students and count toward the financial aid Academic Standard.

Appeal Process
 Financial Aid students who have not successfully met the Academic Standard and/or Program Completion Standard warning semester OR have exceeded the 150% Maximum Timeframe may appeal their loss of financial aid. In order to appeal the loss of financial aid, the student must submit an Appeal Request form or a written statement; (1) explaining the circumstances that rendered them unable to meet the standard(s), (2) what has changed to allow the student to meet the standard(s) and (3) the student’s educational goal and plans to meet that goal. Along with the Appeal Request form or statement, the student  should attach any documentation that supports the appeal. The Appeal Request form or written statement must be submitted to the Financial Aid Department and may be delivered in person, by mail or via email. All Appeal Request forms or statements must be received within 10 days following receipt of the letter indicating the loss of financial aid eligibility. The Dean of Financial Aid Management will consider the appeal statement and the decision will be final.

Students receiving appeal approval will be eligible for financial aid assistance provided that they meet all requirements of the established individual academic plan including but not limited to completing all classes for which they enroll with a grade of “C” or better.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility
 If a student loses financial aid eligibility by failing to meet the Academic and/or Program Completion standard and after self-pay or the use of outside resources feels that the standards are met, the student must contact the Financial Aid Office and have their SAP status re-calculated. If the standards have been met, the student will regain financial aid eligibility the semester following the semester in which the standards were met, provided all other financial aid requirements have been completed.

Revision: 06-26-2014 (procedures)