Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined as the successful progression through an academic program. Every student must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to remain enrolled at the college; for Title IV and non-Title IV recipients regardless of enrollment status (e.g., full-time or part-time) or educational program. For federal financial aid eligibility purposes, for both clock hour and credit hour programs, satisfactory academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each payment period.  Payment periods for clock hour diploma programs are based on successful completion of both clock hours and weeks of instruction. Payment periods for credit hour diploma programs are based on successful completion of both credit units and weeks of instruction.  All associate degree programs are standard-term programs, and each quarter term is a payment period. 

All students are expected to meet the minimum standards of SAP required for the program of study. SAP is measured in two ways:

     1. Qualitative- Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

Students must meet minimum CGPA requirements at specific points throughout the program. Only those credits required in the student’s program of study are used in the CGPA calculation.

     2. Quantitative- Rate of Progress (ROP)

A student must maintain the minimum ROP requirements at specific points throughout the program. The rate of progress percentage is calculated by dividing the credits or hours earned by the credits or hours attempted. Only those credits or hours required in the student’s program of study, including transfer credits, are used in the ROP calculation.

In order for a student to be considered to be making academic progress, both SAP standards will be reviewed at the end of each grading period, and the student must be progressing in accordance with the tables below.

STANDARD TERM PROGRAMS (CREDIT) Program Versions: AOS, ADN, MC, VN2025/VNEW2025

Diploma Programs (Credit)*

VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM (CLOCK) Program Versions: VN2022 & VNEW2022 (1630 hrs.)

VOCATIONAL NURSING PROGRAM (CLOCK) Program Versions: VN2024 &VNEW2024 (1530 hrs.)

• For Diploma Programs, SAP is run after every module or course, approximately every month (16 class days).
• For Standard Term Programs, SAP is run after every Term (10-15 weeks).
• For the Vocational Nursing Programs SAP is run after every Term (13-24 weeks).

Effect of Transfer Credit on SAP

Transfer credit awarded by the College has no effect on CGPA calculations for SAP, but does effect the ROP calculation. Transfer Credits are also included in the maximum timeframe calculation.

Effect of Program Change on SAP

Students who change programs will only have credits and grades that are applicable to the new program (including transfer credits) calculated in SAP and Maximum Timeframe. Any credits that were previously taken that are not part of the student’s new program of study will not be used in the calculations.

Warning, Probation and Dismissal Periods

After each grading period, students’ Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) and Rate of Progress (ROP) are calculated. Any student who do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards will be notified by email once SAP processing is complete.

• The first grading period in which a student falls below the minimum SAP standards outlined above, the student will be placed on SAP Warning. If the student meets or exceeds the standards the following grading period, the student will be moved to SAP Met. If not, the student will be moved to SAP Probation. Should the student wish to remain in school and receive federal financial aid, the student must successfully complete the appeal process.
• A student that has progressed to SAP Probation will be moved to SAP Met if the student proceeds to meet or exceed the standards the following grading period. If not, the student will be moved to SAP Dismissal and dismissed from school unless the conditions of an academic plan were successfully met.
• A student that has progressed to SAP Dismissal will be moved to SAP Met if the student proceeds to meet or exceed the standards the following grading period. If not, the student will remain on SAP Dismissal and be dismissed from school unless the conditions of an academic plan were successfully met.

Students will be dismissed at the end of any grading period in which it has been determined that it is mathematically impossible for the student to meet the minimum requirements.

While in SAP Warning the student is considered to be making Academic Progress, and will remain eligible to receive federal financial aid. While in SAP Probation or SAP Dismissal (with an approved appeal and academic plan) the student is considered to be making Academic Progress and will remain eligible to receive federal financial aid. Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress are required to participate in any advising and tutoring that are considered to be necessary by the College. Failure to participate may result in Dismissal regardless of CGPA or ROP.

SAP Appeal Process

Any student who has been placed on SAP Probation or SAP Dismissal may appeal if special or mitigating circumstances exist. All appeals must be submitted in writing within five (5) calendar days of receiving notification of the dismissal. All appeals must explain the circumstances which affected their academic performance, and how the circumstance has been resolved so it will not have any future effect on the student’s Academic Progress. Additional documentation may be required. The decision of the College is final and may not be further appealed.

Maximum Time Frame

Students are expected to complete their program within 150 percent of the published length of the program (or 1.5 times the number of credits or hours in their program). ROP calculations help ensure that students must complete their programs within the maximum time frame. Maximum Time Frame is calculated at the end of each grading period to determine if the student can successfully complete by the end of their program.

Students who exceed the maximum time frame and would like to enroll in a different program must complete the Appeal process.

Reinstatement

A student may appeal to return to the College if they were previously dismissed for not meeting SAP. The appeal should include information about the circumstances which affected their academic performance, how the circumstance has been resolved so it will not have any future effect on the student’s Academic Progress. The student should also include reasons why they should be readmitted. Many factors will be reviewed when determining whether a student should be readmitted, including academic performance, attendance, life changes, and account balance.