Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy beginning Fall 2020.
Federal regulations require all students receiving federal financial aid (Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or Alabama Student Assistance Programs) must make satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a degree or certificate. Academic progress must be monitored for all terms of enrollment, whether or not financial aid was received. A student’s academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester. Notices will be sent to students via email if they are placed on Financial Aid Warning or Financial Aid Suspension.
According to 34 CFR 668-16(e), there are two major components of satisfactory academic progress: the qualitative component (cumulative in-program GPA) and quantitative component (timeframe of completion).
Qualitative Requirement (GPA): Financial Aid recipients must maintain the following grade point averages (GPA) according to the number of hours attempted. This includes all hours attempted at LBWCC, whether or not financial aid was received or courses were successfully completed. Also, grades for developmental courses, and periods where academic bankruptcy was applied shall be factored into the GPA calculation. Grades of “W” shall not be calculated into the GPA. Repeated Courses: The first repeat shall not be factored into the GPA calculation; however, all additional attempts shall be factored into the GPA calculation. GPA is only calculated using coursework taken at LBWCC.
GPA requirements for long-term certificate and degree seeking students
- If the student has attempted 0-21 hours, they must maintain a 1.5 GPA.
- If the student has attempted 22-32 hours, they must maintain a 1.75 GPA
- If the student has attempted 33 or more hours, they must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
GPA requirements for short-term certificate (24-29 credit hours) students
- If the student has attempted 0-12 hours, they must maintain a 1.5 GPA.
- If the student has attempted 13 or more hours, they must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Quantitative – Pace of Progression Requirement (PACE): All credit hours attempted by the student will be calculated in the completion rate which includes: Transfer courses accepted by the institution, developmental coursework, incompletes, periods where academic bankruptcy was applied, and forgiven courses.
Completion rate (attempted class hours) required by long-term certificate and degree seeking students
- If the student has attempted 0-21 hours, they must maintain a 58% completion rate.
- If the student has attempted 22-32 hours, they must maintain a 62% completion rate.
- If the student has attempted 33 or more hours, they must maintain a 67% completion rate.
Completion rate (attempted class hours) required short-term certificate (24-29 credit hours) students
- If the student has attempted 0-12… hours they must maintain a 58% completion rate.
- If the student has attempted 13 or more… hours they must maintain a 67% completion rate.
Quantitative – Maximum Time-Frame (MAX): The maximum timeframe for the completion of an undergraduate degree program is defined as no more than 150 percent of the normal timeframe required to complete the degree program. Example: For a degree programs that require 64 credit hours to graduate, maximum timeframe is 96 attempted credit hours. LBWCC programs are as follows:
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Program of Study
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Normal Length of Programin Credit Hours
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Maximum # ofCredit Hours
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Associate in Arts Degree
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60-64
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90-96
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Associate in Science Degree
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60-64
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90-96
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Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate
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Automotive Mechanics Certificate
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Child Development Certificate
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Child Development Degree
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Computer Science Degree
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Cosmetology Certificate
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Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree
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Diagnostic Medical Sonography Vascular Certificate
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Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanic Degree
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Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanics Certificate
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Emergency Medical Services Degree
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Esthetics Technology Certificate
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Forest Technology Degree
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Industrial Electronics Degree – Industrial Systems Option
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Industrial Electronics Degree – ACR & Refrigeration
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Industrial Electronics Degree – Electromechanical Option
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Industrial Electronics
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Nail Technology
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Associate Degree Nursing (Track 1)
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Associate Degree Nursing (Track 2 Mobility)
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Office Administration Degree
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Physical Therapy Assistant
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Surgical Technology Certificate
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Welding Certificate
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Welding Short Certificate
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Developmental Courses – A federal financial aid recipient may not receive aid for more than 30 semester hours of developmental course work.
Repeat Courses – A student, who has subsequently passed a course, with a grade of A, B, C, or D shall be allowed to receive financial aid to repeat that course one time. If a student repeats a course, which he or she has successfully completed he or she will only receive credit for one class toward the total number of hours completed and such a repeat will affect the completion rate. Failing grades, withdrawals, incompletes and/or repeated classes may result in suspension of financial aid because these classes are considered as attempted hours not successfully completed (these hours are included in the maximum timeframe calculation).
Financial Aid Warning – Academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester. If the student is not making academic progress he/she will be notified that they are placed on Financial Aid warning and he/she is in jeopardy of losing their financial aid eligibility. If a student fails to meet the Qualitative Standard – Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or the Quantitative Standard – Pace of Progression (Pace) for Satisfactory Academic Progress they will be placed on a one-semester warning.
Financial Aid Suspension – Academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester. If the student has been placed on financial aid warning and, is not making academic progress for a second semester, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The student will be placed on Failing SAP Status when the Qualitative Requirement - Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or the Quantitative Requirement - Completion Rate (PACE) have not been met. There is no warning semester for Maximum Timeframe (MAX).
If a student is academically suspended and readmitted on an admissions appeal, this does not automatically qualify a student for reinstatement of financial aid.Financial Aid will be reinstated when the student attends college at his/her own expense and meets the minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress or if the Financial Aid Appeal Committee reinstates eligibility.
Change in Program - A change of program of study is allowed. However, all credit hours attempted by the student in their previous programs and transfer credits will be included and a student may only receive aid up to 150% of the normal time-frame of the new program of study. If the student has reached max timeframe for their current program of study, they may file an appeal for additional hours due to mitigating circumstances. See appeals process below.
Lifetime Maximum - Students may receive Pell Grant for up to 6 full years, 12 full semesters for a total of 600% Lifetime Eligibility Used, as determined by the Department of Education. Once a student has received a Pell Grant for lifetime maximum of 600%, they will no longer be eligible for additional Pell Grants.
Appeals Process – If a student wishes to request consideration for re-instatement of federal financial aid due to mitigating circumstances, the student must complete a Financial Aid Appeal form and appropriate documentation. A written explanation regarding the mitigating and/or extenuating circumstances, plan for improvement, academic plan signed off by an advisor, and supporting documentation must be included with the Financial Aid Appeal form. The Appeal form and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office, to be reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee as soon as possible; but no later than 10 days before the first day of class. The student will be notified by email of the decision by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee. The decision of the Financial Aid Appeal Committee is final and is determined on a case by case basis.
Students re-instated on Financial Aid Appeal will be required to follow an Academic Plan and if eligible, must apply with the Student Support Services program within the first ten days of class. Students must comply with all requirements and recommendations. Documentation will be provided by Student Support Services personnel to the Financial Aid Office before the Financial Aid Probation will be removed.
ACCS 714.04 Old state board policy
