Satisfactory
Academic Progress
Requirements for financial aid recipients 2008-2009
Introduction
The Education Amendments of 1986 stipulate that no advance of Title IV
Academic Competitiveness Grant funds may be made to a student unless the
educational institution determines that the student is maintaining
satisfactory academic progress. Students who fail to maintain
satisfactory progress may not receive the following types of financial
aid: Federal Pell Grants; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grants; College Scholarship Assistance Program Grants; Federal
Work-Study; Commonwealth Grant; Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program;
Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program Grant; other aid involving Title IV
funds; or any other aid program for which satisfactory progress is a
requirement. These policies apply only to eligibility to receive
financial aid funds.
Academic
Requirements
Financial aid recipients* must make academic progress as follows:
Number
of semester hours attempted
(includes Developmental) |
Required
Grade Point Average (GPA)
|
0-15
|
1.00
|
16-30
|
1.50
|
31-48
|
1.75
|
over
48
|
2.0
|
*VGAP students must
maintain at least a 2.0 GPA at all times.
Time-Frame to Complete the Program
The Financial Aid Office will review the student’s academic progress
each semester. Completed grades are A B C D S & R. Incomplete grades are
F I U W & X. The Aid Office will also determine if students have
completed at least 67 percent of the courses attempted after reaching
the mid-point of their course of study. Generally, students will have a
150% time frame to complete their degree, diploma, or certificate. For
example, students enrolled in the two-year Education degree program
would be allowed to attempt 98 credit hours (i.e., 150 %) to complete
the 65 credit hours required for graduation. After attempting 98 credit
hours, including transfer credits, student's financial aid eligibility
would be terminated for this program. All credit hours attempted at
VHCC, whether or not they are completed or passed, are counted toward
the maximum time frame. Financial Aid recipients are limited to a total
of 30 semester hours in developmental courses. Any developmental credit
hours attempted after reaching 30 hours will not be counted in the
students enrollment status.
Notification of Withdrawal of Aid
Students who do not meet SAP eligibility requirements will have their
aid terminated. The student is responsible for seeing that the Office of
Financial Aid has the correct mailing address at all times.
Re-establishing Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students who have had their financial aid terminated prior to reaching
the 150% time frame must re-establish their eligibility for financial aid by
successfully completing (2.0 grade point average) six semester hours prior
to being reinstated. Consideration of aid depends upon the availability of
funds and the number of prior eligible applicants.
Exceptions
Students who have mitigating circumstances for not completing their
expected minimum credit hours during any semester must notify the Financial
Aid Officer in writing. (Withdrawals because of failure are not mitigating
circumstances). Students whose grades have not been reported by the
instructor, or were reported incorrectly, should contact the financial aid
office.
Right of Appeal
A student may direct a written appeal to the Financial Aid
Officer within 10 days of notification of termination of aid. Conditions for
reinstatement of aid will be determined by the Financial Aid Officer. If the
student is not satisfied with the decision, then the appeal may be directed
to the Director of Financial Aid. If the student is not satisfied with the
decision of the Director, then the appeal may be directed to the
Admissions/Financial Aid Committee. The decision of the committee is final.