Satisfactory Academic Progress, Course Repeats, and Withdrawals FAQ

Q:What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?
A:

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is one of the eligibility requirements to receive financial aid.  Each college/university must have an SAP Policy that measures a student’s progress toward the completion of their program of study.  An SAP Policy includes two components, quantitative and qualitative standard.  The quantitative component measures the course completion rate and the maximum time frame a student may receive financial aid funding for the program of study.  The qualitative component sets a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average for all students.

Q:What is West Georgia Tech’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy?
A:

At West Georgia Technical College, a student must have a course completion rate of 66.6 percent of attempted-hours, maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, and complete the program within 150 percent of the published length of the program.

Q:How is my completion rate calculated?
A:

To calculate your completion rate, view your academic history on Banner Web.  Divide your overall “Passed-hours” by your overall “Attempted-hours.”  For example, if you have attempted-hours of 46 and you have passed hours of 32, your completion rate is 69.6 percent.

Q:When will I be evaluated for SAP?
A:

All students are reviewed for SAP at the end of each semester once grades are posted to academic history by the registrar’s office.

Q:What happens if I do not meet SAP?
A:

The first time you fail to meet SAP requirements, you will be placed on financial aid warning.  During the warning period, you remain eligible for financial aid for your next semester of enrollment.  If you fail to meet SAP after your next semester of enrollment, you will be placed on financial aid suspension.  When placed on financial aid suspension, you are no longer eligible for any financial aid.

Q:How do I regain financial aid eligibility?
A:

Students placed on financial aid suspension, who had a mitigating circumstance(s) that occurred during a specific semester, can appeal the loss of financial aid eligibility by filing an SAP Appeal.

Q:What is a mitigating circumstance?
A:

A mitigating circumstance is an event that occurred that was beyond your control such as, serious illness, military deployment, death of an immediate family member, etc.

 

Q:Will the Financial Aid Office determine if my financial aid will be restored?
A:

No, an independent committee composed of selected faculty and staff outside of the financial aid office will determine the outcome of an appeal.  The decision of the committee is final and cannot be appealed.

Q:When will I know if my appeal was approved?
A:

It can take up to 2-4 weeks for an appeal to be reviewed.  If the student is currently enrolled in the semester, their appeal won’t be reviewed until final grades are posted. If this applies to the student, he/she will receive an email.

Q:Is there a deadline to apply for an appeal?
A:

Yes, appeals must be received no later than one week prior to the beginning of the semester of enrollment.

Q:What is an academic plan?
A:

An academic plan is designed for students who are unable to achieve the minimum SAP requirements in a single semester. Students who are granted an academic plan must meet with an academic advisor in the Advising Center to review and sign their academic plan. A student’s financial aid eligibility status will not be updated until the signed academic plan is received in the financial aid office. Plans are reviewed at the end of each semester to determine if the student has met the established provisions.  If the student is successful in fulfilling the academic plan, financial aid eligibility will continue for the subsequent semester(s).

 

Q:If my appeal is denied, can I still enroll in classes?
A:

Yes.  A denied appeal does not prevent you from taking courses and paying out-of-pocket.

Q:Will financial aid pay for me to repeat a class?
A:

Once a student has passed a course, the regulations allow the student to repeat the previously passed course one additional time and receive financial aid for that course.

Q:If I withdraw from a class, how will it affect my financial aid?
A:

Withdrawals from a class or classes can impact your financial aid and may require you to repay some of your awarded financial aid.   It may have implications on future financial aid eligibility because financial aid recipients are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for continued eligibility.  Therefore, it is imperative to meet with a financial aid counselor before withdrawing from a class(es).

Q:What happens if I withdraw from school before the end of the semester?
A:

Financial aid is awarded for the entire semester.  If you receive federal aid such as Pell Grant, SEOG, FWS, or Federal Direct Loans, etc. and withdraw from all classes before completing 60 percent of the semester, you may have to repay a portion of your awarded aid for that semester.  Consult with a financial aid counselor before withdrawing.  If your withdrawal results in a balance owed to WGTC, a hold will be placed on your account, preventing further enrollment until the balance is paid in full.  Repayment of aid is made to the Business Office.  Federal Direct Loan recipients are required to complete exit counseling.