The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy of the Financial Aid Office of Sacramento City College is as follows:
- All prior course history on the Sacramento City College transcript is used to determine financial aid statisfactory academic progress, even if financial aid was not received during that time. SAP is based on semester and cumulative totals.
- SAP will be monitored and reviewed at the end of every semester.
- Students are required to maintain a 2.0 semester and cumulative GPA.
- Students are required to complete a minimum of 75% of all units attempted.
- The maximum number of units attempted for students pursuing an associate of arts/science degree or transfer is 90.
- The maximum number of units attempted for students pursuing a certificate is 150% of the number of units required to complete the declared eligible program.
- Students may not have already completed a degree or 2-year certificate program.
- Students that do not meet SAP standards #3 and/or #4 above will be placed on probation for one semester. Students who do not meet SAP standards at the end of the probationary period will be suspended and will lose their eligibility for financial aid. The probation period does not apply to students who are re-admitted to follow a specific course of study for #5, 6 and 7 above. Those students must meet SAP standards #3 and/or #4 every semester and follow the education plan they received during their meeting with a counselor. Failure to do so will result in suspension.
- Students that do not meet SAP standards #5, #6, and/or #7 (see above) will be suspended, and will lose their eligibility for financial aid.
- Students who have been academically dismissed from college will be suspended, and will lose their eligibility for financial aid.
General Financial Aid Eligibility
To receive financial aid a student must be accepted for admission and enrolled in a program leading to an associate of arts, associate of science, certificate, or transfer program at Sacramento City College which is defined by their declared educational goal.
Basic Skills Units
Students are allowed to receive financial aid for basic skills units (typically courses numbered 1 through 99), if the basic skills classes are a prerequisite for a course that is applicable toward their degree or certificate. The maximum number of attempted basic skills units that can be funded is 30. Basic skills units are defined as pre-collegiate units. ESL basic skills units are not included in this calculation.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Units
Financial aid can be received for ESL coursework. Students are strongly encouraged to take the ESL assessment and meet with a counselor prior to enrolling to develop an educational plan. The first 50 units of attempted ESL coursework will not be counted towards the maximum unit limitation, but will be included in the 2.0 GPA and 75% unit completion requirement. Unit calculations do not include repeated courses. There is no cap on the number of ESL units you can enroll in; however, it is our desire that you progress towards your educational goal before your financial aid runs out. Please meet with your counselor on a regular basis.
Physical Education Unit Limit
Financial aid may be received for up to 4 units of Physical Education activity courses. Physical Education courses that are excluded from the count are courses with a PET and SPORT prefix. PE coursework with an A, B, C, CR, D, F, NP, W, I or without a grade are counted towards the 4 unit limit.
Other College Units
Degree applicable units will be included in the academic program calculations. They are not used to determine the GPA and/or 75% SAP eligibility categories. Completed transfer units will also be included in the calculation for maximum units attempted, except for students who possess a Bachelor's degree or higher since they are included in another SAP category.
Concurrent Enrollment Units
Units taken concurrently with enrollment at SCC at another Los Rios District college through a Consortium Agreement will also be included in the calculation for standard #5 above.
Reinstatement
Students who have been suspended from financial aid for failure to meet SAP standards may be reinstated by meeting the standards during any subsequent term. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be updated, and eligibility for financial aid will be reinstated, in the term after the standards are met. Additionally, students returning after an absence from the institution are given an updated SAP status based on their cumulative academic history and prior term SAP status.
Exceptions and Appeal Process
Exceptions to the satisfactory academic progress standards may be granted in certain circumstances and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students who have been suspended from financial aid may file an appeal if they have experienced any of the following: (A) serious illness of the student or their dependent; serious injury of the student or their dependent, (B) death of an immediate family member, or, (C) other extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student.
The appeal will be reviewed initially by the SAP Program Administrator. A student whose appeal is approved will regain financial aid eligibility for the semester for which they are appealing. All appeals must be submitted by the published deadline for each semester. A student whose appeal is denied may submit a 2nd appeal to be reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. All decisions rendered by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee are final. No further appeals will be accepted.
Students granted an exception will be placed on probation for one semester and must meet the satisfactory academic progress standards and abide by any additional conditions required by the SAP Program Administrator or Financial Aid Appeals committee. If a student fails to meet these conditions, they will be Suspended and will lose their eligibility for financial aid. No additional appeals will be considered.
Students who have appealed and been placed in probation due to maximum number of units completed (SAP Standard # 5 or 6) and/or program completion (SAP Standard 7) will be reviewed each semester for Ed Plan compliance. New appeals will only be required when a student fails to follow the Education Plan, which will result in suspension and the requirement for submission of a new appeal.
Grade Interpretation and Units Attempted
"Units attempted" are defined as all units enrolled regardless of whether or not a grade was received or if the student finished the course unless the course has been repeated. Units that are dropped are counted as units attempted.
Students successfully complete a course by receiving a grade of A, B, C, D, or P (pass formerly CR). A grade of F, NP (no pass formerly NC), I (incomplete), IP (in progress), or W (withdrawal), RD (Report Delay) does not count as a successfully completed course. Additionally, if an instructor does not issue a grade, it will be considered a grade of F for SAP purposes. IP (in progress) units will be counted during the semester in which a letter grade is earned. Repeated courses will be paid based on Sacramento City College policy. Students are allowed two semesters of Medical/Emergency Withdrawals (two semesters is defined as partial or full semesters) before they are counted in the SAP calculation.
Download the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Form.