Federal and state law requires that a recipient of state or federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress towards a degree or certificate to remain eligible for aid. In compliance with federal and state law the college has established and will apply the following standards of academic progress.
For more details read South Central's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
GLOSSARY OF ACADEMIC TERMS RELATED TO SAP
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) -The grading policy stated in the Student Handbook is used to determine the cumulative Grade Point Average. This average is in turn used to determine if a student is maintaining satisfactory progress.
Minimum Credit Completion Standard - The student must complete at least 67% of all registered/attempted credits each semester. Grades of F, I, NC, W, Z and IP (or blank/missing) are treated as registered credits but NOT earned credits and thus negatively impact the percent of completion. (This is based on credits enrolled in on the 5th day of the term.) % earned = cumulative earned credits divided by cumulative registered credits.
Maximum Time Frame Allowance - Maximum time for a student to complete his/her program shall be 150% of the number of credits required in the program of record. (Financial aid recipients only)
Treatment of Grades - Incomplete Grades - The mark of "I" (incomplete) is a temporary grade which is assigned only in exceptional circumstances. It will be given only to students who cannot complete the work of a course on a schedule because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control. An "I" grade will automatically become an "F" grade at the end of the next term (not including summer session) if requirements to complete course work have not been satisfactorily met. Instructors have the option of setting an earlier completion date for the student. Test Out - Credits earned through test out do not count toward the total credits enrolled per term for aid purposes.
Academic Review - Credits for which a student has been granted academic review WILL be included in all financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Audited Courses - Audited courses are not aid eligible and are not included in any financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Consortium Credits - Consortium credits are those credits for which a student is registered at another college, which are accepted in transfer by this college and are included for purposes of processing financial aid at this college. These credits are included in all financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Remedial Credits - Developmental credits are those awarded for remedial course work (below 1000 level). Students may receive financial aid for developmental credits up to a maximum of 30 credit hours (excluding ESL). These credits are included in all financial aid satisfactory academic progress measurements.
Repeat Courses - Repeat credits are credits awarded when a student repeats a course in order to improve a grade. A student may repeat a class as allowed by the institution. The institution will determine which grade will become the grade calculated in the GPA. All repeated credits are included in the percent of completion and maximum time frame calculations.
Transfer Credits - Transfer credits are credits earned at another college which are accepted by this college. Transfer credits are not included when calculating the qualitative or quantitative requirements, but are included when calculating maximum time frame.
Withdraw - The mark of "W" (withdraw) is assigned when a student withdraws from a class after the drop period. It is not included when calculating grade point average or earned credits. Thus, it does not impact GPA but will negatively impact earned credits and, therefore, negatively impact the student's percent of completion.
Should a student drop or be dropped from a course in which they received aid and received a full refund, the student will be liable for aid received, and must repay the funds.
