Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal financial aid make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in accordance with the standards set by the College and the federal government. These limitations include all terms of enrollment, whether or not aid was awarded or received and also applies to state aid.
Progress is measured throughout the academic program by the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA Rule) and by credits earned as a percentage of those attempted (67% Rule). In addition, students must complete their programs of study before attempting 150% of the credits required to complete the program.
The College Financial Aid Office will evaluate SAP before aid is awarded and after grades are posted for every term, starting with their first term of enrollment.
Click the below topics to learn more about SAP Statuses, Rules, and Appeal Process.
Financial Aid Student Statuses
Meeting SAP
Good Standing- Students who are meeting all aspects of the SAP policy or successfully following a designated academic progress plan.
Warning
Students who fail to meet SAP for the first time (excluding students who have already attempted 150% of the credits required for their programs of study) will be automatically placed in a Warning Status for one (1) term and are expected to meet SAP requirements by the end of that term. Students who fail to meet SAP requirements at the end of the warning status term will be placed on financial aid suspension. However, with a successful SAP appeal, those students will be placed on financial aid probation and will retain financial aid eligibility.
Probation
Students who have successfully appealed financial aid suspension are placed in Probation Status (PS). Students in Probation Status (PS) are eligible to receive financial aid for one (1) semester, after which they MUST be in Good Standing (GS) or meeting the requirements of an academic progress plan that was pre-approved by the College Financial Aid Office.
Not Meeting SAP
Suspension-Students who do not meet the credit progression schedule and/or the cumulative grade point average standard, or who fail to meet the requirements of their pre-approved academic progress plan, will be placed in Suspension Status (SS). Students in Suspension Status (SS) are not eligible to receive financial aid. See Steps to Appeal Your SAP Status.
Academic Suspension
Academic requirements for avoiding warning status and staying in school differ from financial aid requirements for SAP. Academic status will be noted on registration records; financial aid status will be noted on financial aid pages in the Student Information System (Your MyLaurelRidge account). Any student suspended from the College for academic or behavioral reasons is automatically ineligible for financial aid.
Understanding the SAP Rules
150% Rule- This determination is not based on grades but credits completed versus required. The calculation also includes transfer credits and any completed credits for a previous degrees or certificate. Developmental and ESL course work are excluded in this calculation. Whether or not the student received financial aid for those terms is of no consequence. Please Note: Students that have already completed 2 degrees at Laurel Ridge CC are not eligible for aid, even if aid was not used for those degrees. Appeals will be denied.
67% Rule- This determination is based off all the credits ever attempted at Laurel Ridge CC, not just the current semester. A student must successfully complete at least 67% of all credits attempted at Laurel Ridge CC. A successfully completed course is one where a grade of A, B, C, D, or S is earned. Unsuccessful grades include F, I, R, U, or W.
COVID-19-Spring Semester 2020 Grading Policy Guidance
GPA Rule- This determination is based off of your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), not just the current semester. There is a GPA requirement based on credits attempted, see the chart below.
| Total Number of Credits Attempted | GPA Requirement | |
| 1-15 | 1.5 | |
| 16-30 | 1.75 | |
| 31+ | 2.0 | |
NOTE: Some career studies certificate programs are ineligible for student financial aid, but those credits will be counted toward all SAP requirements (Grade Point Average (GPA), Completion Rate, Maximum Timeframe, and Developmental Maximum) if the student later enrolls in an eligible program.
Steps to Appeal Your SAP Status
The steps to appeal are based on the SAP Rule that impacts you. To determine your SAP Rule: Login to MyLaurelRidge >> Click SIS >> Click Student Center >> Click To-Do List
Appeals must be submitted by the Friday of the first week of each semester or aid will be cancelled. Appeals submitted beyond that date will still be reviewed.
GPA & 67% Rule
Step 1: Gather Supporting Documentation
- Explanation of Special Circumstances—Type in a Word document, email, or other an explanation. The explanation must include:
- What happened and why the event(s) caused you to be unable to maintain satisfactory progress.
- What has changed and what steps you have taken or will take to achieve and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- If applicable a doctor’s statement, copy of hospital, urgent care, or physician’s bill, an obituary, funeral notice, or death certificate must be submitted to [email protected].
Step 2: Schedule an Appointment with your Academic Advisor.
- During your appointment, you will complete the Academic Success Plan. Be prepared to discuss your motivations, dreams, goals, and the steps to take.
Step 3: Complete and submit the SAP Appeal.
Submitting the SAP Appeal without meeting your Academic Advisor will result in your appeal being denied.
Step 4: The Financial Aid Office will notify you of the appeal decision via your Message Center.
- Login to MyLaurelRidge >> SIS >> Student Center >> Message Center
150% Rule
Step 1: Complete and submit the SAP Appeal.
Step 2: The Financial Aid Office will notify you of the appeal decision via your Message Center.
- Login to MyLaurelRidge >> SIS >> Student Center >> Message Center
Appeals must be submitted by tuition deadline for each semester to prevent your classes from being dropped. If you enroll after the tuition deadline, appeals must be submitted by the Friday of the first week of each semester or aid will be cancelled. Appeals submitted beyond that date will still be reviewed.
Have other questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office