All financial aid recipients are required to maintain the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in our Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards Policy. Students who have been placed on Warning or Probation for the semester may experience a delay in their next semester financial aid disbursement(s). The Financial Aid Office must confirm that all of the terms and conditions were met during the Warning or Probationary semester. If the student did not pass Warning or Probation, financial aid eligibility will be suspended. Please plan accordingly. All financial aid recipients are responsible for understanding the terms and conditions of the VCCCD Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy to maintain aid eligibility.
| Enrollment Status | Unit Requirement |
|---|---|
| Full Time | 12+ |
| Three Quarter Time | 9-11.75 |
| Half Time | 6-8.75 |
| Less Than Half Time | 1-5.75 |
*Please note, for Summer financial aid eligibility, enrollment statuses remain the same as outlined above.
Evaluation
SAP will be evaluated after each term. Calculation includes cumulative number of units completed/transferred to VCCCD divided by the cumulative number of units attempted/transferred to VCCCD.
SAP is met if a student is achieving a 2.00 cumulative GPA or better and the pace is equal to 67%* or higher and the student has not reached 150% of the units required for certificate, degree, or transfer program. Once the calculation is performed, the student’s SAP status will be posted on the student’s MyVCCCD portal. The college will ensure that the student’s academic progress is monitored, implemented, and documented as required.
External Transcript Evaluation Request: Students who have completed coursework at another regionally accredited college or university can request an official evaluation of transcipt(s) to see how the coursework applies to the current academic goal. Transferable degree applicable units count toward Pace & Maximum Time Frame calculations.
It is the student's responsibility to request a transfer coursework evaluation when updating the program of study (major).
Once transcripts are received and evaluated, they will be included in the following term's SAP calculation.
Financial Aid Eligible Status
When a studet achieves Fianancial Aid Eligible status, it means they have successfully met all the criteria outlined in the SAP policy and are deemed eligible to receive financial aid. This status is often called Satisfactory status, indicating that the student is meeting the necessary academic standards to maintain their financial aid eligibility.
Financial Aid Warning
When a student does not achieve a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA or better and the pace is not equal or higher than 67%* the student will be placed on financial aid Warning. A student is eligible for financial aid during the Warning term and does not have to appeal. At the end of the Warning term, a student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 and must also have completed a minimum of 67%* of all attempted units.
Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility
A student becomes ineligible for all federal and state aid if the SAP calculation shows the student does not meet the required GPA, is not keeping the required pace, has exceeded the permitted maximum timeframe, or has not met the terms of Financial Aid Probation or Academic Plan, when the appeal has been denied. During this term, financial aid is not available.
Financial Aid Probation
During the Financial Aid Probation term, a student must complete 67% of all attempted units with at term GPA of 2.0 or better and must be following the approved Academic Plan. Students who do not meet these requirements will experience a Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility.
Academic Plan
An Academic Plan outlines the requirements that a student must adhere to remain eligible for financial aid. The Academic Plan will ensure that the student can meet the institution’s SAP standards by a specific time, or instead takes the student to successful program completion. Students must appeal to change the Academic Plan.
Program of Study/Major
A student must declare an eligible program of study from their Primary College, which is the school granting their degree. Only one major change can be applied to an appeal once an Academic Plan (SEP) has been approved with the Financial Aid Office.
Appeal Process
A Student who has had his/her financial aid Suspended has the right to appeal, based on extenuating circumstances (see below), by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. Appeals must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office within the semester the student is requesting aid. Deadline dates vary.***
Students must:
- Complete GetSAP Counseling online, may be optional during Covid 19 and/or if already on file- varies by college see websites.
- Complete the online Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal form
- The appeal must include an explanation of the extenuating circumstances that led to Suspension of Eligibility. Examples of extenuating circumstances include: medical condition or illness of the student; death of an immediate relative; divorce or separation; military service; illness, injury or medical condition of a family member that required care; change in academic major or exceeded time frame; other similar situations that affected academic performance that were beyond the student’s control.
- The appeal must also include information on what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation, and/or what steps the student has taken to alleviate any obstacles (for example, meeting with academic counselor, tutoring, testing, reducing unit load, etc.).
- A complete appeal packet consists of: the completed appeal form, as described above; supporting documentation that supports the explanation of circumstances the student addressed in his/her letter (for example, copies of letters from doctors or counselors, divorce decree, medical information related to illness, death certificate, birth certificate); student educational plan (SEP) developed by an academic counselor along with any additional counseling forms.
- Incomplete appeal packets will not be accepted or will be automatically denied.
When submitting an appeal, please ensure that all grades from the previous term attended have posted and have been evaluated. Once grades have been posted and evaluated your Satisfactory Academic Progress will be calculated in accordance with the Moorpark College SAP policy. Students will be notified via my.vcccd.edu student portal and email. Please make sure to check your portal frequently for this important notification.