Satisfactory Academic Progress

Standards of Academic Progress for
All Financial Aid Recipients

Introduction:

This college policy outlines the regulations for satisfactory academic progress required of all students receiving financial assistance. This includes any student receiving grants, scholarships, work study, or any other type of financial assistance through Surry Community College.

Procedures:

Transcripts of all aid recipients will be reviewed at the end of each term by the Financial Aid Office. From this review, a determination will be made as to the satisfactory progress of each financial aid recipient. This review will include the student’s total academic history at Surry Community College, including remedial or developmental classes. The “Fresh Start/In-House Transfer” exclusion policy does not apply to the grade point calculation used to qualify students for federal aid. In order to receive aid, a student must be making satisfactory progress regardless of whether he or she has previously received aid.

Below are the conditions relative to satisfactory progress:

Financial aid recipients in the two-year college transfer or Associate in Applied Science Degree (Technical) programs must maintain the following grade point average to be classified as making satisfactory progress:
- 0 to 20 credit hours attempted – 1.00 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
- 21 to 35 credit hours attempted – 1.50 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
- 36 to 50 credit hours attempted – 1.75 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
- 51 credits hours to end of program – 2.0 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
Note: In addition to above GPA requirements, a student must also complete at least 67% of the credit hours attempted each semester. Students who fail to complete an average of 67% may lose aid eligibility due to their time limitation (150%) being completely used up before completing their program of study.
Financial aid recipients in the vocational Diploma programs must maintain the following grade point average to be classified as making satisfactory progress:
- 0 to 15 credit hours attempted – 1.50 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
- 16 to 26 credit hours attempted – 1.75 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
- 27 credit hours to end of program – 2.0 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
Note:In addition to above GPA requirements, a student must also complete at least 67% of the credit hours attempted each semester. Students who fail to complete an average of 67% may lose aid eligibility due to their time limitation (150%) being completely used up before completing their program of study.
Financial aid recipients in Certificate programs must maintain the following grade point average to be classified as making satisfactory progress:
- 0 to 8 credit hours attempted – 1.50 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
- 9 credit hours to end of program – 2.0 cumulative grade point average must be attained.
Note: In addition to above GPA requirements, a student must also complete at least 67% of the credit hours attempted each semester. Students who fail to complete an average of 67% may lose aid eligibility due to their time limitation (150%) being completely used up before completing their program of study.
At the end of each level above, an aid recipient has one full Warning semester in which to bring his or her GPA up to the minimum requirements. During the Warning semester, a student must attempt at least 6 credit hours, attain the minimum GPA and complete at least 67% of the credit hours attempted for that semester. Failure to do so will cause the student to be terminated from receiving further financial assistance. To re-establish eligibility after termination, the student must complete at least 6 credit hours, including 67% of the hours attempted in a semester, and attain the minimum GPA required on the proceeding page. The student must present an updated copy of the qualifying transcript to the aid office, along with a written request for reconsideration of eligibility.
Any financial aid recipient who withdraws from school MUST notify the Financial Aid Office.
Students receiving certain types of aid who withdrew from any or all courses during any semester or pay period, may be subject to repay a pro-rated amount of the assistance.
Only grades of A, B, C, D and F will be used to calculate GPA as explained in the catalog. No classes may be taken for an audit. No aid can be paid for classes in which a student has earned proficiency credits, designated as “CR” on the transcript.
Time Limitation: Federal regulations require that schools establish a maximum time limit during which the student on aid must complete his or her program of study at Surry Community College. This time limit is 150% of the number of credit hours needed for the program, (not including remedial classes). For example: A student pursuing an AAS degree in Paralegal Technology (72 credit hours) must attain that degree after attempting 108 credit hours (72 x 150% = 108). A student will be terminated from aid after reaching the maximum time frame allowed for his or her degree, diploma, or certificate. A reconsideration due to mitigating circumstances is only allowed one time. All attempted hours on the transcript will be counted in this time frame, unless hours are used for a previous diploma, certificate or degree received.

Note: Upon successful completion of a program and officially being graduated from said program, the FAO will deduct the number of credits for the achieved program from the total number of credits attempted. The student can then pursue a subsequent diploma, certificate or degree, receive financial aid and not be at risk of exceeding 150%.

Appeal Process:

To appeal a SAP determination, a student must indicate in writing to the Financial Aid Office the reason why they did not meet satisfactory progress requirements and why financial aid should not be terminated. Situations that may be eligible for a special circumstance consideration may include, but are not limited to, illness of student or immediate family, death, accident or extreme hardship. Documentation to support the appeal is required.

The Director of Financial Aid will review the appeal to determine whether or not termination of aid is justified and will advise the student in person or by letter. If the appeal is approved the student will be placed on Probation for one term and will be placed on an academic plan. The academic plan will be setup up on a case by case basis and will be monitored by an Academic Advisor. They will work in conjunction with the student to help them to work toward attaining Satisfactory Academic standing. If they fail to meet requirements of their plan or if the appeal is denied, the student must complete the steps previously mentioned to gain reinstatement.

A student who wishes to appeal the decision of the Director of Financial Aid may request a hearing with the Vice President of Student Development for final determination.

Further graduation requirements, conduct requirements, and academic information are in the college catalog.

Note: Any deviation from the above policy will be at the discretion of the Financial Aid Office.

Veterans - Standards of Academic Progress for all Veterans Receiving GI Bill or Other Veteran's Benefits

The minimum grade point averages detailed in the Standards of Academic Progress Policy previously described also pertain to students receiving veteran's benefits. In addition to these Grade Point Average requirements, the following conditions apply.

Only grades of A, B, C, D, and F will be used to calculate GPA as explained in the college catalog. The Veterans Administration will not pay for audits, withdrawals, incompletes, or proficiency credits.
For all degrees, diplomas, or certificates, after 75% of credit hours are earned in a particular program, a 2.00 cumulative grade point average must be attained. There is no probationary period if students do not meet this requirement. For example, if a student needs 100 total credit hours in his or her program, after 75 credit hours are earned, he or she must have a 2.00 GPA to continue receiving benefits.
Students may contact the veterans certifying official in Financial Aid for questions pertaining to veterans benefits.