14.0 INTRODUCTION
Federal and state regulations require that students receiving financial aid be enrolled in an eligible program for the purpose of obtaining a certificate or degree. An eligible program is one that leads to an associate or bachelor’s degree; a one- to two- year program leading to a vocational certificate or degree; or a specialized program that meets federal criteria. Students are responsible for making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward the completion of their program. The following sections outline the standards by which student progress will be measured. Federal regulations require that this policy apply to all students whether or not financial aid was received.
14.1 ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
A. SAP will be calculated at the end of each semester. The number of units a student attempts or completes will be used to calculate SAP status. The number of units a student attempts is determined by census date.
B. Satisfactory
1. To maintain Satisfactory status for financial aid purposes, a student must meet the following minimum SAP requirement. Students must:
a. complete at least 67% of units attempted each semester; and
b. achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or better, and
c. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
2. Students on Satisfactory status who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements, but complete at least 1 unit, will be placed on financial aid Probation 1.
3. Students on Satisfactory status who DO NOT complete at least 1 unit will be placed on financial aid Probation 2.
C. Probation 1
1. Students on Probation 1 who meet the following minimum SAP requirements will be returned to Satisfactory status. Students must:
a. complete at least 67% of units attempted each semester; and
b. achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or better, and
c. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
2. Students on Probation 1 who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements, but complete at least 1 unit, will be placed on financial aid Probation 2.
3. Students on Probation 1 who do not meet the criteria listed above will be placed on financial aid Suspension.
D. Probation 2
1. Students on Probation 2 who meet the following minimum SAP requirements will be returned to Satisfactory status. Students must:
a. complete at least 67% of units attempted each semester; and
b. achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or better, and
c. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
2. Students on Probation 2 who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements will be placed on financial aid Suspension.
E. Suspension
1. Students who do not meet the standards identified in this policy will be placed on financial aid Suspension.
2. Students on Probation 1 or Probation 2 will be suspended from financial aid if they complete less than 1 unit during a semester.
3. Students on Probation 1 or Probation 2 will be suspended from financial aid if they complete all units for a semester with “F”, “NP”, “NC”, “I”, and/or “W” grades.
4. Students on Suspension are ineligible for most types of financial aid with the exception of the Board of Governor’s Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOGW).
14.2 REVIEW OF SAP
A. At the end of each semester, student progress will be reviewed to determine if academic requirements have been met.
1. Units considered not completed are:
“W” (Withdrawal) “IP” (In Progress)
“F” (Failing Grade) “I” (Incomplete)
“NC” (No Credit) “RD” (Report Delayed)
“NP” (No Pass)
2. “P” (Pass) and “CR” (Credit) grades will be calculated as the letter grade “C”.
B. P/NP and CR/NC courses are considered attempted units for financial aid academic progress purposes.
C. Courses with an “IP” grade are considered attempted units for financial aid academic progress purposes.
D. All grades including repeated courses will be used in the SAP calculation.
E. Academic Renewal is not recognized for financial aid academic progress purposes.
14.3 REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID
A. Once suspended from financial aid, students may have their eligibility reinstated by meeting all of the following conditions.
1. Without benefit of aid, students on financial aid suspension must:
a. enroll in at least 6.0 units for a semester; and
b. complete 100% of units attempted; and
c. achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or better, and
d. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
14.4 ELIGIBILITY LIMITATIONS
A. At NVC the financial aid limit for students seeking an AA/AS degree or completing a transfer program is 90 units attempted or 75 units completed.
1. Units attempted/completed at NVC and transferred units from prior colleges will be used when calculating financial aid limits.
2. Students who exceed the unit limit must submit a Petition for Special Circumstances (PFSC) to be considered for additional aid.
B. At NVC the financial aid limit for students in an eligible certificate program is 150% of the units required to earn the certificate. For example, the unit limit for a 30 unit certificate would be 45 units attempted (30 x 1.5=45).
1. Units attempted/completed at NVC and transferred units from prior colleges will be used when calculating financial aid limits.
2. Students who exceed the unit limit for the declared certificate program must submit a Petition for Special Circumstances (PFSC) to be considered for additional aid.
C. Financial aid may be denied if students have completed any one of the following:
1. AA/AS Degree
2. Vocational Certificate
3. BA/BS degree or higher
4. 90 semester units
D. Students who change their major after completing 45 or more units, must immediately notify the Financial Aid/EOPS Office and may be required to submit a Petition for Special Circumstances.
E. Transcripts from other institutions that have been evaluated for credit at NVC will be considered when determining eligibility.
F. Students on college academic or progress probation may be placed on financial aid probation.
G. Students on college academic or progress dismissal will be placed on financial aid suspension.
H. Students who have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 may be denied financial aid.
14.5 APPEAL PROCESS
A. Students may appeal financial aid suspension or denial by submitting a PFSC. If approved, students will be required to follow an educational plan and comply with the PFSC contract for continuation of aid.
B. Students must clearly explain in the petition the extenuating circumstances that led to financial aid suspension or denial. Documentation may be required to support the student’s petition.
C. Designated financial aid staff will review the petition and make a determination.
D. Students may be asked to make an appointment with a designated Financial Aid staff member who will make a determination on the petition request.
E. If the petition is approved, financial aid eligibility at NVC will be limited to the terms and conditions of the PFSC Student Contract.
F. Students who disagree with the decision may appeal to the Dean of Financial Aid/EOPS/TRIO.
G. Students wishing to appeal the decision of the Dean may do so in writing to the Vice President of Student Services. The decision of the Vice President of Student Services is final.
14.6 ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS
A. Remedial Classes: Students may receive aid for no more than 30 units of remedial coursework.
B. ESL Classes : Students enrolled in ESL courses may receive financial aid as long as they are in an eligible program and meet all other eligibility criteria. Depending on the number of units attempted or completed, students may be required to file a PFSC to receive aid.
C. Cosmetology: The Board of Governor's Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOGW) is available to California Residents who meet the eligibility criteria. This program is not eligible for federal financial aid.
D. Educational Loan Programs
1. SAP will be assessed at the time of loan application, and at the end of the semester.
2. Students on financial aid or college academic or progress probation may not be eligible for a loan.
3. The following students are not eligible for a loan:
a. students on financial aid suspension;
b. students on college academic or progress dismissal or subject to dismissal;
c. students in remedial classes;
d. students enrolled only in ESL classes;
e. students in the Cosmetology program.
E. Other
1. Financial aid may be denied based on low GPA from other institutions.
2. Students on college dismissal are not eligible for financial aid. Special circumstances may be reviewed by the Dean of Financial Aid/EOPS/TRIO.