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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Students should regularly check their SAP status to know where they are with their federal financial aid eligibility. 


What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?  

Check your SAP status here!

Satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients is measured by both GPA and Completion Rate (Pace of Progression) and is an assessment of a student’s cumulative academic record while in attendance at LCC. The Financial Aid Office is required by federal regulations to review financial aid recipients to ensure that they are making academic progress towards the completion of their program of study. 


  • Cumulative GPA Component: A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in order to be making satisfactory academic progress.


  • Completion Rate Component (Pace): Federal Requirement: A student must successfully complete at least two-thirds (67%) of the quarterly and overall credits he/she attempts throughout his/her academic career at the college. All attempted credits resulting in either an academic grade or administrative transcript notation will be included in the calculation. 

    • For example, a student who has enrolled in 36 credits throughout his or her academic career at the college must pass at least 24 credits in order to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.


  • Maximum Timeframe Component: A student may receive federal student aid for any attempted credits towards his or her program of study as long as those credits do not exceed 150% of the published length of the student’s program of study. A student may receive state student aid for any attempted credits towards his or her program of study as long as those credits do not exceed 125% of the published length of the student’s program of study.

    • For example, a student enrolled in a program of study that requires 64 credits to earn the degree may receive federal student aid for a maximum of 96 credits attempted and may receive state aid for up to 80 credits. 

    • If a student changes programs or graduates and requests a second degree, a degree audit will be completed and evaluated to determine what portion of the requirements for that curriculum has been satisfied. Only credits satisfying the new degree’s requirements will count toward that degree’s maximum timeframe.


How to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) with financial aid:

  • Keep your quarterly GPA  and your Cumulative GPA at or above a 2.0, which is a “C” average.

  • Successfully complete 67% or more of the credits you attempt. Grades of “F”, “W” and “I” are all considered unsuccessful attempts. Withdrawing from a course is not always going to help where financial aid is concerned.


Credits Registered at the time of disbursement Satisfactory Academic Progress is Completing: Warning will occur if you complete: Suspension will occur if you complete:
Full-TIme (12+) 12+ Credits 6-11 Credits 0-5 Credits
3/4- time (9-11) 9 Credits 5-8 Credits 0-4 Credits
Half-time (6-8) 6 Credits 3-5 Credits 0-2 Credits
< Half-time (1-5) All Attempted Credits No Warning Available Less than Attempted Credits

Contact Financial Aid

Financial Aid staff are available online in Zoom, via phone or email.

 Financial Aid Office

  (360) 442-2390
Fax: (360) 442-2379
  financialaidoffice@lowercolumbia.edu 

 Meet us online in Zoom!

 Hours

Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm*

*Closed Fridays during summer session (July/Aug).

Computer access is available in the Admissions Center.

 FAFSA

Use LCC School Code 003782 when completing the FAFSA.

 

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