Federal statute and regulations require educational institutions to establish a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for determining if an otherwise eligible financial aid applicant or recipient is making satisfactory academic progress in his or her education program. If they are doing so, the student may receive assistance from the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs. The policy is provided to all students prior to the first class session and is consistently applied to all applicable students.
SAP standards are established by the faculty in consultation with the Chief Academic Officer. Students must maintain SAP according to the set standards in order to continue enrollment. SAP is measured at the end of each payment period and will be checked prior to disbursement of aid. EDvance College payment periods align with semesters in the academic calendar.
The SAP policy for Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) is consistently applied and identical to the school’s actual measurement used to monitor qualitative and quantitative standards, as well as maximum time frame for students enrolled in the same educational programs who are not receiving Title IV aid. The Director of Financial Aid reviews the Title IV SAP policy to ensure it meets all federal requirements. EDvance College notifies the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) if the school changes academic policies.
To remain eligible for Title IV, HEA, a student must maintain “Satisfactory Academic Progress” as outlined in the following 3 measures:
1. Cumulative GPA (Qualitative Measure)
Students will reach a 2.0 minimum (equivalent to a C average) by the mid-point of the program and maintain this level throughout the rest of the program
2. Pace of Completion (Quantitative Measure)
All students must complete at least 67% of their credits attempted each semester. (Pace of Completion = Total credits completed / Total credits attempted).
3. Duration of Progress (Quantitative Measure)
Once a student has attempted 150% of the required number of credits for his/her program, they are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. Federal regulations specify that “a student becomes ineligible when it becomes mathematically impossible for them to complete their program within 150% of its length.
For specific details, please see full policy
here.