Students must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in order to receive federal student aid each year. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress may impact your eligibility to receive the Federal Pell grant, Federal SEOG grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Veteran’s Administration Benefits, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, and the Illinois Veteran’s Grant, Illinois National Guard, and MIA/POW Scholarships.
At Shawnee Community College, an academic year is defined as two 16-week semesters (fall and spring). The summer semester is treated as a trailer semester to the fall and spring semesters and is included as part of the previous academic year.
In order to receive federal financial aid funds, students must meet 3 minimum requirements, including:
- Required completion rates (Pass Rate Rule – 67% of hours attempted for undergraduate and graduate)
- Required grade point average (GPA Rule – min. 2.0 for undergraduate and graduate)
- Requirement of Maximum Hours (Max Hours Rule – Students must complete degree program before reaching 150% of the number of credits needed to complete their degree program)
A student who does not meet the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress is ineligible to receive federally-funded financial aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is measured at the end of each semester, unless conditional eligibility was provided.
Returning students who previously attended Shawnee Community will be reviewed for SAP prior to receiving Financial Aid regardless of whether Financial Aid was received previously.
Grade and time requirements are in effect for all attempted credit hours whether a student received financial aid or not. Academic progress toward completion is measured using students current, formally declared program.
Transfer students are assessed for SAP grade and hour requirements using only those courses attempted at Shawnee Community College. Certificate and/or degree completion is assessed using both Shawnee Community College attempted hours and the hours formally transferred and accepted by Shawnee Community College.