Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy beginning Fall 2017.
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 (Cumulative in-program GPA [including institutional and accepted transfer credits are used in calculation of the in-program GPA])
Students enrolled in a degree program or a certificate program requiring more than 26 credit hours must meet or exceed the following minimum cumulative in program GPA based upon total hours attempted:
Semester Credit Hours Attempted Cumulative GPA
0-21 1.50
22-32 1.75
33 or more 2.00
Students enrolled in certificate programs equal to 26 hours must meet or exceed the following minimum cumulative in-program GPA based upon total hours attempted:
Semester Credit Hours Attempted Cumulative GPA
0-17 1.50
18 or more 2.00
All hours attempted and earned at LBWCC and all transfer credits accepted that are in the student’s program of study will be included in meeting cumulative GPA requirements.
Definition of hours attempted and earned used in calculation of GPA: Hours counted as attempted include:
- All LBWCC courses for which the student receives any of the following grades: A, B, C, D, and F, (except for developmental courses).
- Grades of I will be calculated as an F until the course is completed.
- Any courses transferred from another institution that are accepted into the student’s current program of study.
- Developmental or Remedial Courses that are taken from LBWCC are not calculated in the in-program GPA.
- Quantitative Requirement (Timeframe for Completion) – Eligible students may receive federal financial aid for a period of time not to exceed 150 percent of the normal length of his/her program of study. LBWCC programs are as follows:
|
Program
|
Normal Length of Program in Credit Hours
|
Maximum # of Credit Hours
|
|
Associate in Arts Degree
|
60-64
|
90-96
|
|
Associate in Science Degree
|
60-64
|
90-96
|
|
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate
|
60
|
90
|
|
Automotive Mechanics Certificate
|
60
|
90
|
|
Child Development Certificate
|
27
|
40
|
|
Child Development Degree
|
65
|
97
|
|
Computer Science Degree
|
64
|
96
|
|
Cosmetology Certificate
|
52
|
78
|
|
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree
|
76
|
114
|
|
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Vascular Certificate
|
11
|
16
|
|
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanics Certificate
|
59
|
88
|
|
Emergency Medical Services Degree
|
75
|
112
|
|
Esthetics Technology Certificate
|
28
|
42
|
|
Forest Technology Degree
|
68
|
102
|
|
Industrial Electronics Degree
|
73
|
109
|
|
Nail Technology
|
24
|
36
|
|
Associate Degree Nursing (Track 1)
|
67
|
100
|
|
Associate Degree Nursing (Track 2 Mobility)
|
67
|
100
|
|
Office Administration Degree
|
68
|
102
|
|
Surgical Technology Certificate
|
29
|
43
|
|
Welding Certificate
|
60
|
90
|
|
Welding Short Certificate
|
23
|
34
|
All credit hours (including accepted transfer credit hours) in current program of study and/or Degree plan will be included in Timeframe for Completion calculation.
Each student on federal financial aid must earn two-thirds (.667%) of all the hours (including remedial courses and accepted transfer credit hours) he/she attempts in order to complete a program in the normal length of time allowed. Students who have not passed the required number of hours will be suspended from receiving federal financial aid. A student is ineligible when it becomes mathematically impossible for him/her to complete his/her program within 150% of the length of the program. (example: At the time of evaluation of SAP the student has attempted 85 credit hours out of a possible 90 credit hours allowed under max time frame but has 10 hours left to earn to complete his degree, the student is not meeting SAP due to exceeding the max time frame because he has more hours to earn than what is allowed to graduate within the maximum time frame.) Financial aid is reinstated when the student has achieved the minimum cumulative GPA required and earned the required minimum number of credit hours.
Developmental Courses – A student receiving federal financial aid may not enroll in the same developmental (remedial) course more than three times and continue to receive federal financial aid for that course. A federal financial aid recipient may not receive aid for more than 30 semester hours of developmental work. Credit hours attempted for developmental courses are included when determining a student’s quantitative progress (the two-thirds [67%]) for financial aid, however are not included the maximum time frame requirement.
Repeat Courses – 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 or hours completed. A student, who has subsequently passed a course, with a grade of A, B, C, or D will be allowed to receive financial aid to repeat that course one time. 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 time frame 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. The student is placed on financial aid warning when the Qualitative Requirement (Cumulative GPA) and/or the Quantitative Requirement (Maximum Timeframe and Completion Rate) have not been met.
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 the second semester, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. The student is placed on financial aid suspension when the Qualitative Requirement (Cumulative GPA) and/or the Quantitative Requirement (Maximum Timeframe and Completion Rate) have not been met. If a student is academically suspended and readmitted on 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 student may receive federal financial aid for up to 150% of the normal length of the selected program of study. If a student changes programs, his or her academic progress will be evaluated to include all courses taken that apply to the new program. A student may change programs of study more than once but will not be allowed to receive federal financial aid for attempting more than 3 programs of study at LBWCC. If a student changes program after being awarded and attending a semester, the student must meet the quantitative requirements of the new program. Student’s SAP will be reviewed again at the end of each semester. 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 and submitted to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee no later than forty-five days before the first day of class. The student will be notified in writing 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. Any student may submit a request to reinstate federal financial aid at LBWCC one time. However, a second appeal may be allowed with extenuating circumstances.
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.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy beginning Fall 2019.
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 (Cumulative in-program GPA [including institutional and accepted transfer credits are used in calculation of the in-program GPA])
Students enrolled in a degree or certificate program requiring more than 26 credit hours must meet or exceed the following minimum cumulative in program GPA based upon total hours attempted:
Semester Credit Hours Attempted Cumulative GPA
0-21 1.50
22-32 1.75
33 or more 2.00
Students enrolled in certificate programs equal to 26 hours must meet or exceed the following minimum cumulative in-program GPA based upon total hours attempted.
Semester Credit Hours Attempted Cumulative GPA
0-17 1.50
18 or more 2.00
Calculation of GPA as to the treatment of repeated, incomplete, withdrawn, bankrupted, forgiven, and transitional (developmental/remedial) classes, as well as transfer credit and grade changes is as follows:
- Repeated classes will be factored into the GPA as follows:
- The second attempt and any additional attempt will be factored into the GPA.
- Grades of - “I” will be calculated as an “F” until the course is completed
- Any courses transferred from another institution that are accepted into the student’s current program of study will be factored into the GPA.
- Developmental or Remedial Courses required for the student’s current program of study will be factored into the GPA.
- Bankrupted courses, not repeated, which were applicable to the student’s current program of study will be factored into the GPA,
- Quantitative Requirement (Timeframe for Completion) – Eligible students may receive federal financial aid for a period of time not to exceed 150 percent of the normal length of his/her program of study. LBWCC programs are as follows:
|
|
Normal Length of Programin Credit Hours
|
Maximum # ofCredit Hours
|
|
Associate in Arts Degree
|
60-64
|
90-96
|
|
Associate in Science Degree
|
60-64
|
90-96
|
|
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Certificate
|
60
|
90
|
|
Automotive Mechanics Certificate
|
60
|
90
|
|
Child Development Certificate
|
27
|
40
|
|
Child Development Degree
|
65
|
97
|
|
Computer Science Degree
|
64
|
96
|
|
Cosmetology Certificate
|
52
|
78
|
|
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree
|
76
|
114
|
|
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Vascular Certificate
|
11
|
16
|
|
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanic Degree
|
71
|
106
|
|
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanics Certificate
|
59
|
88
|
|
Emergency Medical Services Degree
|
71
|
112
|
|
Esthetics Technology Certificate
|
28
|
42
|
|
Forest Technology Degree
|
68
|
102
|
|
Industrial Electronics Degree – Industrial Systems Option
|
70
|
106
|
|
Industrial Electronics Degree – Electromechanical Option
|
67
|
100
|
|
Nail Technology
|
24
|
36
|
|
Associate Degree Nursing (Track 1)
|
67
|
100
|
|
Associate Degree Nursing (Track 2 Mobility)
|
52
|
78
|
|
Office Administration Degree
|
68
|
102
|
|
Surgical Technology Certificate
|
29
|
43
|
|
Welding Certificate
|
60
|
90
|
|
Welding Short Certificate
|
23
|
34
|
All credit hours (including accepted transfer credit hours) in a students current program of study and/or Degree plan will be included in Timeframe for Completion calculation.
Each student receiving federal financial aid must earn two-thirds (.667%) of all the hours (excluding remedial courses and including accepted transfer credit hours) he/she attempts in order to complete a program in the normal length of time allowed . Students who have not earned the required number of hours will be suspended from receiving federal financial aid.A student is ineligible when it becomes mathematically impossible for him/her to complete his/her program within 150% of the length of the program. (example:At the time of evaluation of SAP the student has attempted 85 credit hours out of a possible 90 credit hours allowed under max time frame but has 10 hours left to earn to complete his degree, the student is not meeting SAP due to exceeding the max time frame because he has more hours to earn than what is allowed to graduate within the maximum time frame.) Financial aid is reinstated when the student has achieved the minimum cumulative GPA required and earned the required minimum number of credit hours.
Developmental Courses – A federal financial aid recipient may not receive aid for more than 30 semester hours of developmental course work. Credit hours attempted for developmental courses are not included when determining a student’s quantitative progress (the two-thirds [67%]) or the maximum time-frame requirement. However, developmental course work is included in the calculation of the GPA.
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 time frame 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. The student is placed on financial aid warning when the Qualitative Requirement (Cumulative GPA) and/or the Quantitative Requirement (Maximum Timeframe and/or Completion Rate) have not been met.
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 is placed on financial aid suspension when the Qualitative Requirement (Cumulative GPA) and/or the Quantitative Requirement (Maximum Timeframe and/or Completion Rate) have not been met. 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 student may receive federal financial aid for up to 150% of the normal length of the selected program of study. If a student changes programs, his or her academic progress will be evaluated to include all courses taken that apply to the new program. A student may change programs of study more than once but will not be allowed to receive federal financial aid for attempting more than 3 programs of study at LBWCC. If a student changes program after being awarded Pell grant, the student must meet the SAP requirements of the new program before receiving any further aid. The student should notify the financial aid office of the change of program in order for their aid not to be delayed. Student’s SAP will be reviewed again at the end of each semester.
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 and submitted to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee no later than forty-five days before the first day of class. The student will be notified in writing 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. Any student may submit a request to reinstate federal financial aid at LBWCC one time. However, a second appeal may be allowed with extenuating circumstances.
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.
