Financial Aid Academic Progress Policy - Revised Summer 2011
14.0 INTRODUCTION
Federal and state regulations require that students receiving financial aid be enrolled in an eligible program for the purpose of obtaining a certificate or degree. An eligible program is one that leads to an associate or bachelor’s degree; a one- to two-year program leading to a vocational certificate or degree; or a specialized program that meets federal criteria. Students are responsible for making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward the completion of their program. The following sections outline the standards by which student progress will be measured. Federal regulations require that this policy apply to all students whether or not financial aid was received.
14.1 ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
A. SAP will be calculated at the end of each semester. The number of units a student attempts and completes will be
used to calculate SAP status. The number of units a student attempts is determined by census date.
B. Satisfactory
1. To maintain Satisfactory status for financial aid purposes, a student must meet the following minimum
SAP requirements. Students must:
a. complete at least 67% of units attempted each semester; and
b. achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or better, and
c. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
2. Students on Satisfactory status who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements, but complete at least 1 unit,
will be placed on financial aid Warning status.
3. Students on Satisfactory status who DO NOT complete at least 1, unit will be placed on financial aid Suspension.
C. Warning
1. Students on Warning status who meet the following minimum SAP requirements will be returned to
Satisfactory status. Students must:
a. complete at least 67% of units attempted each semester; and
b. achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or better, and
c. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
2. Students on Warning status who do not meet the criteria listed above will be placed on financial aid Suspension.
3. Students on college academic or progress probation may be placed on financial aid Warning.
4. Students who are nearing the maximum unit limit for financial aid may be placed on Warning.
D. Suspension
1. Students who do not meet the standards identified in this policy will be placed on financial aid Suspension.
2. Students on Warning status will be suspended from financial aid if they complete less than 1 unit during
a semester.
3. Students will be immediately suspended from financial aid if they withdraw from all units during a semester
and may be required to repay all or part of the funds received.
4. Students will be suspended from financial aid if they complete all units for a semester with
“F”, “NC”,”NP”, “I”, and/or “W” grades and may be required to repay all or part of the funds received.
5. Students on college academic or progress dismissal will be placed on financial aid suspension.
6. Students on Suspension are ineligible for most types of financial aid with the exception of the Board of
Governor’s Enrollment Fee Waiver (BOGW).
E. Probation
1. Students who are conditionally approved for financial aid through the Petition for Special Circumstances (PFSC)
appeal process (section 14.5) will be placed on Probation status for the length of the PFSC contract.
2. Students on Probation status must strictly adhere to the approved PFSC contract.
3. Students on Probation status who fail to comply with the PFSC contract will be disqualified from financial aid.
F. Disqualified
1. Students who fail to meet the Financial Aid Academic Progress Policy standards may be placed on a
Disqualified status.
2. Once Disqualified, students are no longer eligible to receive financial aid (other than a BOGW) at NVC.
14.2 REVIEW OF SAP
A. At the end of each semester, student progress will be reviewed to determine if academic requirements have been met.
1. Units considered not completed are:
“W” (Withdrawal) “IP” (In Progress)
“F” (Failing Grade) “I” (Incomplete)
“NC” (No Credit) “RD” (Report Delayed)
“NP” (No Pass)
B. Students who complete all classes with “P” or “CR” grades must contact the Financial Aid Office to update their status.
C. Courses taken with the P/NP or CR/NC option are considered attempted units for financial aid academic progress
purposes.
D. All grades including repeated courses will be used in the SAP calculation.
E. Academic Renewal is not recognized for financial aid academic progress purposes.
14.3 REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID
A. Once suspended from financial aid students who have not yet reached the unit limit for financial aid may reinstate
their eligibility by meeting all of the following requirements.
1. Without benefit of aid, students on financial aid suspension must:
a. enroll in at least 6.0 units for a semester; and
b. complete 100% of units attempted; and
c. achieve a semester GPA of 2.0 or better, and
d. achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better.
14.4 ELIGIBILITY LIMITATIONS
A. Transcripts from other institutions that have been evaluated for credit at NVC will be considered when determining
eligibility.
B. The MAXIMUM UNIT LIMIT for financial aid is 150% of the published length of a program.
1. NVC students seeking an AA/AS degree or completing a two year transfer program will be suspended from
financial aid when they reach 72 units attempted.
2. Students reaching this limit will be required to submit a PFSC along with a current educational plan to the
Financial Aid Office to be considered for additional aid.
C. At NVC the financial aid limit for students in an eligible certificate program is 150% of the units required to earn
the certificate.
1. Students who exceed the unit limit for the declared certificate program must submit a Petition for Special
Circumstances (PFSC) along with a current educational plan to be considered for additional aid.
D. Students may be disqualified from financial aid if they have completed any one of the following:
1. AA/AS Degree
2. Vocational Certificate
3. BA/BS degree or higher
4. 90 semester units attempted
E. Students who have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 may be disqualified from financial aid.
14.5 APPEAL PROCESS
A. PFSC for failure to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) (section 14.1):
1. Students may appeal financial aid suspension by submitting a complete Petition for Special Circumstances
(PFSC) packet.
2. Students must clearly explain in the PFSC the extenuating circumstances that led to financial aid suspension.
3. Documentation to support extenuating circumstances is required.
4. Students must clearly explain how their circumstances have changed and how that will allow them to make
satisfactory academic progress.
5. Students must submit a current, complete, and comprehensive educational plan with the PFSC packet.
B. PFSC for exceeding eligibility limitations (section 14.4):
1. Students may appeal eligibility limitations by submitting a Petition for Special Circumstances (PFSC) packet.
2. Students must submit a current, complete, and comprehensive educational plan with the PFSC packet.
3. Students may submit documentation to support their request.
C. Designated financial aid staff will review the petition and make a determination.
D. An approved PFSC will place the student on financial aid Probation status.
E. Students will remain on Probation status through the length of the PFSC contract.
F. Students will be required to adhere strictly to the approved PFSC contract for continuation of aid.
G. Students who fail to meet the terms and conditions of the PFSC contract will be immediately disqualified and
no longer eligible for financial aid at NVC.
H. Students may appeal a PFSC denial to the Associate Dean of Financial Aid.
I. Students may appeal the decision of the Associate Dean in writing to the Vice President of Student Services.
The decision of the Vice President of Student Services is final.
14.6 ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS
A. Remedial Classes: Students may receive aid for no more than 30 units of remedial coursework.
B. ESL Classes: Students enrolled in ESL courses may receive financial aid as long as they are in an eligible program
and meet all other eligibility criteria. Depending on the number of units attempted or completed, students may be
required to file a PFSC to receive aid.
References: Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 668.16, 668.32, 668.34