Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Overview

Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas (CCCUA) aims to support students on their academic journey by ensuring they make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Maintaining SAP helps students stay in good standing academically and financially. The sections below outline the processes to ensure SAP for Financial Aid.

Definitions and Purpose

Why monitor Academic Progress?
Federal regulations require all recipients of student financial aid to make Satisfactory Academic Progress towards an eligible degree or certificate program at CCCUA.

Title IV Aid includes the following programs:

Federal Pell Grants
Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

SAP will be reviewed prior to a student’s initial enrollment period and at the end of each semester.

How Progress is Measured

Qualitative Progress (GPA)
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Aim for a grade of C or higher; even though a D grade is still considered as successfully completed (passing), it may lower your CGPA.
F, W, P, and I grades are not considered successfully completed (not passing).

Quantitative Progress (PACE)
Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all credit hours attempted, including:

Developmental/Remedial Hours
Repeat/Incomplete Hours
Transfer Hours/Concurrent (High School) Enrollment

Financial Aid SAP Credit Hour requirements

Completion within Maximum Timeframe
Students must complete their program within 150% of the published timeframe. All credit hours count whether or not the student received aid.

All hours attempted, including repeated courses, F’s, W’s, I’s, P’s, and audits, count toward the student’s maximum time frame.
Changing your degree may suspend your financial aid if you cannot mathematically complete the degree within the maximum time frame.

Students must complete the requirements for a degree within the following time frames:

Esthetician Certificate of Proficiency – 24 Credit Hours
Nail Technician Certificate of Proficiency – 24 Credit Hours
Cosmetology Certificate - 68 Credit Hours
Pipe Welding Certificate - 96 Credit Hours
Technical Certificates - 60 Credit Hours
LPN Certificate - 90 Credit Hours
Associate Degrees - 92 Credit Hours
Traditional Registered Nursing Degree – 115 Credit Hours
PTA Associate Degree - 116 Credit Hours
OTA Associate Degree - 128 Credit Hours
LPN to RN Associate Degree - 185 Credit Hours

Eligibility

Current Student Eligibility

Eligibility is reviewed at the end of each semester.
Must be enrolled in an eligible CCCUA academic degree program.
Must complete at least 67% of all credit hours attempted and maintain a 2.0 CGPA.
Cannot exceed 150% of the published length of their current CCCUA academic degree program.
Have not received an Associate Degree

Transfer Student Eligibility

Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges must be submitted to determine eligibility.
Transfer hours accepted toward completion of the student’s program will count as hours attempted and completed.
If a transcript is received with “in progress” grades, the student will be required to submit a second official transcript with completed grades.
Transcripts will be evaluated for SAP in the same manner as CCCUA transcripts.

SAP Statuses

Financial Aid Warning

Students will be placed on Financial Aid Warning the first semester they do not meet SAP by completing less than 67% of attempted credit hours and/or failing to maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA

Students on Financial Aid Warning may receive federal financial aid for the next semester.

If the student does not meet SAP by the end of the semester, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students who fail to meet the required cumulative GPA and/or complete at least 67% of attempted credit hours during their warning period, exceed the maximum credit hour timeframe for their program, or receive all “F” grades or a combination of W’s and F’s in a semester will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

Students on Financial Aid Suspension are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.
- To regain financial aid eligibility, the student needs to attain the CGPA and cumulative credit hour completion requirement. Your record must reflect that you have met these requirements at CCCUA (transferring to another college and transferring back to CCCUA does not remove your suspension status).

Financial Aid Probation

Students may be reinstated to Financial Aid Probation status with an approved SAP Appeal.

Upon appeal approval, the student will remain on Financial Aid Probation for one payment period. By the end of the semester the student must be making SAP or must be successfully following an academic plan.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Process

Students who have lost their eligibility for financial aid due to lack of SAP may appeal for reinstatement of their eligibility if circumstances beyond their control prevented them from meeting the established standards.

How to Submit an SAP Appeal

Students may stop by the Financial Aid Office to pick up an SAP Appeal form, or they can access it here: SAP Appeal Form
Completed SAP Appeal application must be turned into the Financial Aid Office by the first day of classes for the current semester.
Once a decision has been made, the Financial Aid Office will notify the student of the Appeal Outcome.

Appeal Submission Requirements:

Include a detailed statement that explains why you failed to make satisfactory academic progress.
Provide supporting documentation (examples of acceptable documentation are on the first page of the appeal form).
Meet with your academic advisor to review your degree audit and complete academic plan.
Provide an unofficial copy of your CCCUA transcript and copies of transcripts from any previously attended institutions.
Note: Submission of an appeal does not guarantee restoration of financial aid eligibility.

More detailed information is provided in the SAP appeal form.

Appeal Outcomes:

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals are reviewed by the Appeal Review Committee. Their decision is final, and the student will be sent a response by mail.

Approved: Eligible to receive federal financial aid for the semester requested.
Denied: Not eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Remedial Coursework

Financial Aid will be awarded for up to 30 credit hours of remedial coursework. Remedial courses are not counted in the maximum timeframe allowed for the student’s degree.

Repeated Courses

Students may repeat a previously passed course once. Students may repeat a failed course until it is passed. All repeated courses will be counted against the maximum number of hours allowed. The highest grade received will be calculated in the student’s CGPA.

For more information and details, email FinancialAid@cccua.edu

CCCUA is in compliance with EEO/AA/ADA in student and employment programs and activities. Call: 870.584.4471V or 800.844.4471V or AR RELAY Service for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired @ 711. 09/21/2021