Satisfactory Academic Progress

Qualitative Standards:

The quality of a student’s academic progress is measured by the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0. Courses completed with a grade of A, B, C, D, or P will be considered acceptable for Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Quantitative Standards:

The Financial Aid Office measures academic progress by the number of units a student has attempted and completed. 

Maximum Time Frame:

All financial aid students will be expected to complete their program within 150% of the published length of the program. Students enrolled in 60-unit AA/AS, 4-year transfer, or vocational programs will be expected to complete their program by the time they attempt 90 units. Students enrolled in vocational programs of less than 60 units will be given a maximum time frame (attempted units) that is 150% of their chosen program's length. Associate Degree or Transfer Program maximum time frame is 90 units.

Pace Rate:

It is expected that all financial aid eligible students will make continuous and steady progress towards their educational goals, referred to as Pace Rate. To measure whether students are progressing in their course of study within the maximum time frame, SMCCCD will evaluate the Pace Rate of financial aid students after each term (Fall, Spring and Summer). At the end of each term, students will be expected to have completed at least a cumulative 67% of all units attempted. 
Classes with grades of A, B, C, D, and P (Pass) are considered to have been completed. Classes with grades of F, NP (No Pass), I (Incomplete), and RD (grade delayed) will not be considered as completed. All classes taken at other institutions through a consortium agreement will also be included in the Pace Rate assessment.
Can we show the answers to each question in accordion style?

Complete required Appeal Form on your WebSmart account 

• You can find the appeal through WEBSMART on the Financial Aid Tab
• Provide a statement and explain what happened – be clear, direct, and to the point
• Explain what you will do to get back on track

Student Educational Plan (SEP)

• Provide a copy of your SEP (Must be comprehensive plan)
• SEP must be current, long-term and show an educational goal/major
• If you do not have an updated SEP, schedule an appointment with a counselor to create or update it

Complete an online Student Academic Progress (SAP) Counseling Session

• SAP Counseling Sessions are now offered online: SAP Counseling Center
  • The Essentials to Understanding SAP and What it Means to You
  • The Key Components to the SAP Financial Aid Process
• Make sure to print and upload your certificate of completion indicating that you PASSED
• Certificate must have your name and student ID Number.

Our office requires students to submit all documents together. Individual documents will not be accepted.

• The death of an immediate family member or close relative (i.e. mother, father, grandparent, sibling, or immediate family such as a related aunt or uncle)
• A serious injury or illness (physical or mental) that required medical intervention
• Significant, unanticipated family obligations due to medical issue or illness
• A catastrophic loss due to fire, flood, or natural disaster that affects the student’s academic attendance or performance
• An involuntary call to active military duty
• An unsafe or abusive environment
• Any undue hardship that prohibits the successful completion of coursework

Financial aid recipients who withdraw completely or reduce units before or equal to 60% of the semester is over may have to return a portion of the aid received which was not earned. Students who withdraw and do not repay funds will have an institutional hold placed on future SMCCCD registration, transcripts and a national hold placed on future aid eligibility at any institution.

Appeal reviews take between 4-6 weeks after submission. It is important to plan ahead and have a backup financing plan if you need immediate funding. Approval decisions are not guaranteed. 

No. If you plan to forgo title IV and state aid, you do not need to submit an appeal. The tracking requirement, however, will still be posted on your financial aid account.