Academic Progress/Suspension Override Request
Learn the details of satisfactory academic progress.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
While everyone achieves at different levels, Satisfactory Academic Progress is a requirement of continued attendance and financial aid eligibility. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester once all grades are received, and students will receive notification by email of unsatisfactory progress.
To maintain federal satisfactory academic progress for financial aid:
- Complete an eligible program in no more than 150% of the published length of the program.
- Successfully complete 67% of the attempted credit hours.
- Maintain the required cumulative grade point average (GPA) listed below based on total hours attempted.
To maintain academic eligibility for academics, you must:
- Maintain the required cumulative grade point average listed below based on total hours attempted.
| Total Hours | GPA Required |
|---|---|
| 0-15 | 1.50 |
| 16-30 | 1.70 |
| 31-44 | 1.90 |
| 45+ | 2.00 |
Please Note
For financial aid: Transitional courses will be computed in GPA and the credit hours attempted and completed. Courses with an I, CR, NP, and W grade are excluded from GPA.
For academics: Transitional courses will NOT be calculated in GPA. Credit hours for transitional courses will be calculated in the completed credit hours.
You can access the full financial aid policy information here:
Academic and Financial Aid Warning and Suspension
If you do not meet satisfactory performance, you will be placed on academic and/or financial aid warning. While on warning, you will be expected to attend two meetings with your general advisor throughout the semester to review your educational plan and monitor your progress. You may continue to enroll and receive federal financial aid while on warning status.
Failure to meet satisfactory academic progress while on warning status will result in an academic and/or financial aid suspension. While on suspension, you are not eligible to enroll and/or receive federal funding. You will be notified of being placed on warning status or suspension via your College student email account.
Suspension Overrides
Suspension overrides will generally be considered for extenuating circumstances. Decisions are based on the extenuating circumstance, supporting documentation, and your academic history. Academic and financial aid overrides may be granted together or separately, and the approval of one does not automatically guarantee the approval of the other.
If you are granted an academic suspension override and not a financial aid override, you will be allowed to enroll but will have to pay for courses without federal funding. If you are granted an override, you will be expected to attend two meetings with your general advisor throughout the semester to review your educational plan and monitor your progress. You may be required to reduce your course load, eliminate online coursework, or repeat failed coursework. If you are having trouble viewing the fillable Suspension Override Request Form, instructions are below. A non-fillable form also can be downloaded and printed by clicking here.
Timing
You should submit the Suspension Override Request for Fall and Spring to the Office of Financial Aid 2 weeks before the start of the term to allow sufficient time for the committee to review prior to classes beginning. Requests for Summer should be submitted within 48 hours of being notified of ineligibility. Late requests will be reviewed throughout the semester, up until the last day of classes.
Documentation
The request and required documentation should be attached in order for the override to be considered. Failure to provide all requested documentation could result in the request not being reviewed or being denied.
- Completed Suspension Override Request Form
- Typed or neatly written summary answering the following questions:
- What extenuating circumstances prohibited you from meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress?
- What changes have occurred that will enable you to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress?
- Supporting documentation, if available, that verifies the circumstances referenced in the request
The Student Standing Committee will review the requests regarding financial aid and academic suspensions. Additional documentation may be requested.
How Decisions are Determined
Exceptions to the college’s SAP policies are not made lightly and will generally be considered only for extenuating circumstances. Decisions will be based on an individual’s extenuating circumstances, supporting documentation, and academic history.
Extenuating circumstances may include, but are not be limited to:
- Personal illness
- Injury or accident
- Serious illness or death of close family member
- Unforeseen, undue hardship
- Demonstrated academic improvement
Circumstances under which a request may not be granted include, but are not limited to:
- Poor choice of classes
- Lack of motivation or interest
Next Steps: Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid will notify the student via email of the committee’s decision.
If the committee approves your request, your status may be reinstated under certain conditions as outlined by the committee. If your request is denied, you will need to pay by other means until you reestablish eligibility through Satisfactory Academic Progress.
If you are granted an override, you will be expected to attend two meetings with your general advisor throughout the semester to review your educational plan and monitor your progress.
Students who are denied an override of their Financial Aid Suspension and are pre-registered for classes may be dropped from classes if payment arrangements are not made by payment due date.
Next Steps: Academics
The Office of the Registrar will notify you via email of the committee’s decision.
If the committee approves your request for an override, you will be placed on probation and will be expected to attend two meetings with your general advisor throughout the semester to review your educational plan and monitor your progress.
While on warning, you will be expected to attend two meetings with your general advisor throughout the semester to review your educational plan and monitor your progress.
Students who are denied an override of their Academic Suspension and are pre-registered for classes, will be dropped from all classes.
Separate Processes
The decisions regarding Financial Aid and Academic Suspension are separate processes. A student can be approved by one committee but denied by the other. If a financial aid suspension is overridden but the academic request is denied, the student will not be able to register for classes.
The decision of the review committee may be appealed by completing a Student Intake Form and submitting it to the Dean of Student Services’ office.
