Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Admissions > Financial Aid

FA-201/Revised 3/17/03

Minimum Standards  for Financial Aid Eligibility

Students receiving Federal Title IV Financial Assistance are required by regulation to be making satisfactory academic progress towards a degree, diploma, or certificate.  The College is required to deny financial aid to any student not making measurable progress until the student reestablishes their eligibility.  The standards by which satisfactory academic progress is measured at FDTC are indicated below:

Satisfactory Progress Requirements

  1. Students must successfully complete at least 70 percent of the cumulative credit hours attempted (Grades of W, I, WF, CF, and F, will be counted as hours attempted).
  2. A cumulative grade point ratio of 2.0 must be maintained after the first academic year.
  3. Students with cumulative grade point ratios of less than 2.0, or who do not successfully complete at least 70% of the course work attempted, will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for the next semester in which he/she enrolls.
  4. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed each year when the student is awarded financial assistance.

Probation and Suspension

  1. Students who do not meet the minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be eligible to receive one semester of financial assistance on a probationary basis.  If the student is not in compliance with the policy at the end of the probationary term, financial assistance will be terminated.  The student may reestablish their eligibility to receive financial aid by bringing their grades into compliance with the policy at their own expense.
  2. Students who have previously attended and return will be evaluated on their existing academic history, regardless of whether or not the student previously received financial assistance.
  3. Students who have not been enrolled for three calendar years will be allowed one probationary semester to reestablished their eligibility.
  4. Financial aid probation will be continued on a semester-by-semester basis until the student is in compliance with the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.  Any extension of financial aid probation will be put in writing to document the reason for the extension.

Duration of Eligibility

  1. The cumulative maximum time frame that a student may receive financial assistance is 150% of the published program length in the College Catalog.  (Example:  AS.AAS.CU, Associate in Science Degree requires 65 credit hours.  Therefore, a student would be allowed to attempt up to 97 (65x1.5) credit hours after which eligibility will cease.)
  2. Students who exceed the maximum time frame are no longer eligible to receive financial assistance.
  3. Students transferring from another institution will be considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  4. Financial Aid may be received for remedial coursework up to 30 credit hours, provided the student has been accepted into an eligible program.
  5. Time spent taking remedial courses will be counted towards the maximum time frame.
  6. Students will be allowed two changes in curriculum.  Any requests for additional changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  7. Students may repeat courses not previously passed a maximum of two times.

Appeals

  1. Students can appeal the denial of their financial assistance.  The appeal must be made in writing to the Director of Financial Aid two weeks prior to first day of classes.  Any appeal should give the reason(s) for failing to make satisfactory academic progress, and the student's plans to improve.  Students are also encouraged to supply supporting data and documentation with their appeal.
  2. Students who are denied financial assistance on appeal by the Director may further appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.  The Committee will hear the case with input from the student involved, and the Director of Financial Aid.

Reinstatement

Financial assistance is not automatically reinstated when the student brings their grades into compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  Students must request that the Financial Aid Center evaluate their satisfactory progress and reinstate their financial assistance eligibility.