Financial Aid Standards of Progress:

To remain eligible for state and federal financial aid programs, students need to make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward achieving a degree, diploma, or certificate. Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress are applied to all students who wish to establish or maintain financial aid eligibility at FTCC, regardless if they have received financial aid funds in the past.

The standards are established to encourage students to progress toward an educational objective and complete a degree within a reasonable time frame and with the least amount of loan debt. If the standards are not met, students are not eligible for federal and state financial aid.

The minimum standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress includes the following:

1.       Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0 as computed by the Financial Aid Office - this may be different than your transcript GPA. 

2.       Complete a minimum of 67% of cumulative credit hours attempted (including all transfer credits).

3.       Complete less than 107 total cumulative credits for an Associates Degree, 66 for a Diploma, and 22 for a Certificate (including all transfer credits).

CUMULATIVE CREDIT HOURS ATTEMPTED
Cumulative credit hours attempted are defined as all credit hours attempted at FTCC, and all credit hours transferred from other institutions. Attempted credits include courses with grades of "A" through "F", "W", A* B* C* U* WP* WF* U, WF, C@, D@, WF, F@, I* I, T, S WP, B@, U@, A@. 

Repeated courses will be counted as hours attempted and also toward maximum credits allowable for each type of program for financial aid.

CUMULATIVE CREDIT HOURS COMPLETED
Credit hours successfully completed are defined as grades "A" through "D", A*, B*, C*, C@, D@, S, B@, A@.  Credit hours not successfully completed are defined as "F," "W," "I," U*, WP*, WF*, U* WI* I@, I*. 

AUDIT GRADES
Credit hours taken for a grade of "audit" (AU) do not apply toward an associate degree, diploma, or certificate program. Therefore, credit hours with this designation are not included in determining enrollment status for financial aid disbursements or Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students with changes in grade type of an "audit" (AU) after the disbursement of financial aid will be reviewed for an enrollment status change. This change may result in a reduction of financial aid eligibility and a balance owed to the College.

INCOMPLETE GRADES
Courses with grades of "I" (Incomplete) or I* will be considered as credit hours attempted and not completed. Students who have made arrangements with the instructor to complete required course work are not required to re-register for the same class during a subsequent semester to complete the work. Any course carried forward to the next semester for completion will not be counted as part of the new semester enrollment status. If the "incomplete" grade was instrumental in placing a student on financial aid probation or suspension, once completed, the student may appeal for a re-evaluation of Satisfactory Academic Progress by submitting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form to the Financial Aid office at FTCC.

CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE
A student’s cumulative grade point average must meet the minimum standards of the institution according to their degree intentions. The minimum cumulative grade point average for graduation at FTCC is 2.0.

PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Once each year following the posting of summer grades to the official transcript, the Financial Aid office will review the student academic history and notify students who are being placed on financial aid probation or financial aid suspension. All students placed on probation or suspension will be mailed a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form.

Students not meeting the minimum standards for the first time will be placed on financial aid probation. Students on probation are eligible to receive all aid except a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan. Loans awarded for upcoming semesters will be cancelled. Students may appeal using the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form.

Students not meeting the minimum standards the second year will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students on suspension are not eligible to receive any federal or state financial aid. Pending financial aid awards for upcoming semesters will be cancelled. Students may appeal using the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form.

CLEARING GPA OR CREDIT HOUR DEFICIENCIES
Financial aid awards may be reinstated if the student completes 100% of credits attempted in the most recent semester with a minimum of 6 credits; with minimum grades of 2.0; and pays tuition and fees out of pocket. Once completed, the student may appeal for financial aid reinstatement with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS APPEAL PROCESS
Students placed on financial aid probation for not meeting the minimum standards for the first time may appeal for eligibility for Federal Direct Loans by filing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form. If approved, the student will be eligible for all federal and state programs, including the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan.

Students placed on financial aid suspension for not meeting the minimum standards for a second time may appeal for reinstatement of financial aid by filing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form.

Reinstatement of all aid is subject to professional judgment, submission of proper documentation of the students’ circumstances and availability of funds.

The following special circumstances will be considered when processing an appeal:

1.       A significant medical illness or injury that directly affected students’ ability to meet the academic standards.

2.       The death of a close relative during the time period that directly affected the students’ ability to meet the academic standards.

3.       The student attended school more than two years prior to the current year and experienced difficulties at that time that directly affected the students’ ability to meet the academic standards.

4.       The student received a change of grade from a previous semester and is requesting that Satisfactory Academic Progress be re-evaluated.

5.       The student has completed the maximum credits allowable for financial aid for each type of program at FTCC, including transfer credits, and the current program of study requires additional credits for completion.

6.       The student has completed all credits in the most recent semester, with a minimum of six credit hours, earned a minimum 2.0 for each course, paid out of pocket, and is requesting that Satisfactory Academic Progress be re-evaluated.

7.       The student experienced a significant personal tragedy or event that affected the students’ ability to meet the academic standards.

8.       Other significant situation that affected the students’ ability to meet academic standards.

DROPPING OR WITHDRAWING FROM CLASSES
Reducing your enrollment during any semester can create serious consequences for financial aid recipients. Before dropping classes, check with the Financial Aid office.

1.       Satisfactory Academic Progress may be affected

2.       In cases of complete withdrawals, students may be required to repay a percentage of financial aid received for that semester. See Title IV Return of Funds.  Students who completely withdraw will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension for future semesters.  A Financial Aid Appeal may be submitted requesting reinstatement of financial aid.

3.       Students receiving William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans may go into repayment if current enrollment drops below six credit hours for a period of time greater than the six month grace period (or you may lose your grace period). See Title IV Return of Funds. Future disbursements of loans will also be cancelled once enrollment drops below 6 credit hours.

For questions regarding the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, call (910) 678- ****, email Finaid@Faytechcc.edu, or stop by the Financial Aid Office.