I. Authority
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education and State of Illinois student aid regulations, Kaskaskia College (KC) is required to establish minimum standards of Academic Progress to qualify for federal and state financial aid. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that students are making progress toward the completion of their educational program of study. Students who do not attend or withdraw from classes, defer grades and perform poorly will not maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their program of study and will become ineligible for financial aid. Minimal standards are subject to change in accordance with the U. S. Department of Education and State of Illinois regulations.

II. Financial Aid Programs Covered
The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy applies to students who are requesting or receiving funds from the following federal and state financial aid programs: » Federal PELL Grant » Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant » Federal Work Study » Federal Direct Student Loan » Federal TRIO » Federal TEACH Grant » Federal Veterans Educational Benefits » ISAC, Monetary Award (MAP) » ISAC, Illinois Veterans Grant » ISAC, Illinois National Guard » MIA/POW III. Minimum Academic Standards Requirements The SAP policy measures a student’s academic progress in three ways. Students must meet all three standards to be in good status. A. Cumulative Grade Point Average You must achieve and maintain at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all credit hours attempted at KC including transferred credits.

B. Cumulative Completion Rate (CCR)
 KC’s CCR measures the pace a student is progressing through his/her program. Each student must pass a minimum of 67% of program required courses attempted to ensure the student will complete the program within the maximum time frame. The CCR is calculated by taking total credit hours earned and dividing them by total credit hours attempted. The CCR is calculated for each student after each semester. A students GPA and pace is affected by course incompletes, withdrawals, repetitions or transfers of credit. For CCR purposes all hours are counted for all terms, even those for which the students did not receive financial aid as well as those usually waived under Academic Renewal Policy. The only courses that will be used to calculate the CCR are courses as follows:

1.  Courses that are a required for the students program with a grade of ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, or ‘D’
2. All accepted transfer credits
3.  Remedial coursework is accepted if the credit hours earned apply toward the degree or certificate program and no more than 30 credit hours will be allowed for financial aid benefits. Grades of ‘I’, ‘W’ or ‘F’ are not considered completions.

C. Maximum Time Frame
You must complete your program of study within 150% of attempted credit hours relative to credit hours required to complete the program. Example: A degree-seeking student may attempt no more than 90 credit hours in order to complete a 60 credit hour program; a certificate-seeking student may attempt no more than 45 credit hours to complete a 30 credit hour program.

Note: If during the SAP review it becomes clear that you cannot mathematically complete your program within the maximum time frame, you become ineligible for financial aid.

IV. Frequency of Evaluation

The SAP of degree-seeking and certificate seeking students will be evaluated at the end of each semester: fall, spring and summer. After each semester, students will be placed in the appropriate status as outlined in Section V. V. Initial, Satisfactory, Warning, Suspension and/or Maximum Time Frame and Probation Status

A. Initial Status: Students who have no academic record at the College and are applying for financial aid for the first time are placed in initial status. Students in initial status may receive financial aid if otherwise eligible.

B. Satisfactory Status: Financial aid appli cants who meet the standards in Section III are in satisfactory status. Students in satisfactory status may receive financial aid if otherwise eligible.

C. Warning Status: When financial aid applicants are in satisfactory status and do not meet the standards in Section III, they are placed in warning status. Students in warning status may receive financial aid if otherwise eligible.

D. Suspension Status and Maximum Time Frame Status: When financial aid applicants who are in warning status do not meet the standards in Section III, they are placed in suspension or maximum time frame status and are not eligible to receive financial aid.

E. Probation Status: When financial aid applicants who are in suspension and/or maximum time frame status submit an appeal and the appeal is granted, they are placed in probation status for one semester. D. Suspension Status and Maximum Time Frame Status: When financial aid applicants who are in warning status do not meet the standards in Section III, they are placed in suspension or maximum time frame status and are not eligible to receive financial aid. E. Probation Status: When financial aid applicants who are in suspension and/or maximum time frame status submit an appeal and the appeal is granted, they are placed in probation status for one semester.

Note: Students who have an academic record at the College, including transferred classes, and are applying for financial aid for the first time at the College will be evaluated according to the SAP policy in Section III and placed in the appropriate status.

VI. Appeal of Suspension and Maximum Time Frame

Status Students who are in suspension and/or maximum time frame status may appeal their eligibility for financial aid to the SAP Appeals Committee based on extenuating or special circumstances, such as death of a relative, injury or illness. Financial need is not sufficient criteria on which to base your appeal. There must be reasonable expectation that a student can regain eligibility if reinstated. The appeal process is completed online using your CampusNet.

The SAP Appeal Committee meets on a regular basis. Students will be notified of the Committee’s decision by email within 30 calendar days of submission. The decision of the committee is final.

VII. Notification of Status

 The Financial Aid office will notify you when you are in warning, suspension and/or maximum time frame and probation status. However, it’s the student’s responsibility to know their status and if eligible for financial aid.

VIII. Notice

 The College’s SAP policy is subject to change without notice to comply with federal or state regulations, or Kaskaskia College Board of Trustee policy or action. For the most current Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, visit www.kaskaskia.edu/financialaid.