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 |
Warning occurs when:
The minimum number of attempted credits was not completed, see Warning in chart above, or
Pace of progression is less than 67%, or
The end of term GPA and/or cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 at the end of the term If your financial aid is on warning, you are still eligible to receive financial aid for one more term of attendance.
If your financial aid is on Warning, you must achieve SAP the next term of attendance or your financial aid will be suspended. The Department of Education does not allow us to place your financial aid on warning for more than one quarter.
Suspension occurs when:
Your financial aid is already on warning, and o 100% of the attempted credits were not completed, see Warning/Suspension in chart above, or
Pace of progression is less than 67%, or
A minimum end of term GPA of 2.0 was not achieved, or
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 was not achieved,
Your transcript does not reflect a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of the 6th term of attendance or in any terms attended thereafter, or It is determined that you cannot mathematically complete your program in the time remaining, or
You have reached 150% of your program credit requirements, or You have completed all credits to graduate from LCC. This applies even if you don’t intend to apply for graduation until a future term
Please see Financial Aid Self-Reinstatement and/or Financial Aid Appeal below for help if you are on Financial Aid Suspension.
If your financial aid is suspended due to failure to complete 100% of credits registered, pace of progression, or GPA, you may self-reinstate your financial aid, providing you still meet all other eligibility requirements, by achieving all of the following requirements:
Complete at your own expense a minimum 5 credits plus the number of credits required to raise your pace of progression to a minimum of 67%, and
Achieve a minimum end of term GPA of 2.0 and cumulative GPA of 2.0
Once you have successfully met the requirements above, notify the financial aid office to review your transcript. Self- reinstatement does not negate any repayment owed to financial aid programs or Lower Columbia College.
You may be eligible to appeal for SAP and MTF. If approved, you would be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid provided you still meet all other eligibility requirements.
Please contact your academic advisor for more information about how to fill-out a Financial Aid Appeal or contact the Financial Aid Office at: 360-442-2611.
Financial Aid staff are available online in Zoom, via phone or email.
(360) 442-2390
Fax: (360) 442-2379
financialaidoffice@lowercolumbia.edu
Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm*
*Closed Fridays during summer session (July/Aug).
Computer access is available in the Admissions Center.
