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 funds from any federal, state, or institutional aid programs. Please note that some scholarships may have different Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements.
Once a year after spring semester grades are posted, 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.
- Cumulative completion ratio of 70% or better of all courses attempted at Lansing Community College (incompletes, audits and repeated courses and all attempted courses are reflecting into the calculation).
- Completion of the declared program of study within 150% of the credit hours required for the educational program (including all credits transferred into the College).
Extenuating Circumstances Appeal
There may be extenuating circumstances which cause students to not succeed academically. If extenuating circumstances exist, students may appeal the suspension of their financial aid by completing an appeal form. There are two appeal forms.
- Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal for Less than a 2.0 GPA and/or 70% Completion Ratio Appeal.
- Academic Appeal for 150% Maximum Timeframe
Students must review the appropriate appeal form to determine if they meet one of the criteria eligible for appeal. If so, please complete the form and include the required supporting documentation. All SAP Appeals are reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee and students will be notified in writing of the committee's decision.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal for Less than a 2.0 GPA and/or 70% Completion Ratio
A student who has had his/her financial aid terminated for failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress may appeal this action. To appeal the student must submit the appeal to the Financial Aid Office in Enrollment Services. The student's letter of appeal must be a legible letter of appeal that addresses all periods of enrollment in which the student failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress and which explains all of the following:
a) why you failed to meet the minimum academic standards, AND
b) what unusual and/or mitigating circumstance(s) caused the failure, AND
c) how the circumstance has improved (no longer exists/being managed), AND
d) your college and career goals
Such circumstances must have documentation that may include personal illness or injury, serious illness or death within the student's immediate family, long-term absence from school, or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the student. A letter from a physician, attorney, social services or law enforcement agency, licensed therapist or counselor, or clergy, or an obituary notice or divorce decree must document the condition or situation.
A Financial Aid Appeal Committee will review the written appeal and supporting documentation. The Financial Aid Office in Enrollment Services will notify the student in writing of the decision. Results of an appeal may include denial of reinstatement, probationary reinstatement with restrictions such as limiting credit load to part-time status, requesting information of how the student is performing in classes at the mid-point of the semester, or full reinstatement. An approved appeal requires that the student must earn a minimum 2.0 overall and complete 100% of the courses attempted each semester to retain eligibility.
Academic Appeal for 150% Maximum Timeframe
Students who have attempted 150 percent of the credit hours required for their program of study at Lansing Community College are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress and are no longer eligible for financial assistance beyond the maximum timeframe. Transfer students will not be awarded financial aid beyond 150 percent of the credit hours required for their program of study, including credits transferred into the College. Special consideration will be given to students who:
- Are enrolled in a programs of study require substantially more than the minimum number of credit hours for a general associate degree.
- Have completed prerequisites, remedial/developmental, or English as a second language (ESL) course work as a part of their regular academic program requirements.
- Have earned a degree and are continuing on for a second degree.
Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility
Students who have had their financial aid terminated may continue to attend classes using their own funds for payment. Financial aid eligibility is reinstated if the student's appeal due to unusual and/or mitigating circumstances is approved. If a student’s appeal is approved they will be reinstated for the payment period in which the appeal was received. The Payment Period is the first day of the semester through the day before the next semester.
Eligibility may also be reinstated after the student improves his/her academic record to meet the minimum SAP standard at his/her own expense. Students who raise their cumulative standards to equal or exceed the minimum SAP requirements should contact the Financial Aid Office in Enrollment Services to see if their financial aid can be reinstated. Reinstatement is subject to all maximum eligibility requirements.
