Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress each term in order to retain all Federal and state financial aid.  

A student is required to maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for financial aid.  Satisfactory progress has three components, quality, quantity, and length of time to complete the program:

QUALITY

The quality of satisfactory academic progress will be measured by cumulative grade point average (GPA) from the beginning of enrollment at Columbus Technical College and will be monitored at the end of each term.  To satisfy the quality standard, you must maintain at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA. (REMINDER:  You must have a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate from Columbus Technical College).  Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be placed on financial aid warning.  Students can receive financial aid for one term on warning.  However, if the cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for two consecutive terms (two terms in a row) or if the student withdraws two consecutive terms (two terms in a row), all financial aid will be suspended.  The quality of satisfactory academic progress will be monitored at the end of each term by reviewing students’ grade reports.

Cumulative means all grades received at Columbus Technical College.

Associate Degree students who receive the HOPE Scholarship must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA pursuant to the Georgia Student Finance Commission regulations.  Associate Degree students who receive the Zell Miller Scholarship must maintain a minimum 3.30 GPA pursuant to the Georgia Student Finance Commission regulations. 

QUANTITY

Quantitative satisfactory academic progress is defined as the completion of at least 66.66 percent of the cumulative credit hours on which the payment of financial aid was based.  Completion of credit hours will include those whose grades are A, B, C and D.  Grades of F, WF, WP, W, or I (Incomplete) will not be considered complete hours.  Failure to complete at least 66.66 percent  of the scheduled cumulative credit hours will place the student in a warning status.  Students will be able to receive financial aid on a warning status for one term.  Failure to complete at least 66.66 percent  of the cumulative credit hours for two consecutive terms will place the student on financial aid probation whereby the student will not receive financial aid for the next term of attendance.  Quantitative satisfactory academic progress will be monitored at the end of each term by reviewing students’ grade reports.

Cumulative means all credit hours attempted at Columbus Technical College.

COVID-19 Guidance:

Z grades are used to denote unsuccessful completion due to COVID-19 emergency. Z grades are excluded from attempted hours and GPA calculation.

MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME

Students must complete their program of study within a maximum frame of no more than 150 percent of the required length of the program. Once a student has attempted 150% of the minimum number of credit hours necessary for completing the program requirements, the student will not be eligible to receive financial aid.

POLICY FOR STUDENTS TO APPEAL WHO DID NOT MEET SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS

Students who become ineligible to receive financial aid have the right to appeal by submitting the required documentation in the Financial Aid Office. The SAP Appeals Committee will review the SAP Appeal/Academic Plan.  The appeal committee will only approve appeals if extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control are clearly documented.  Extenuating circumstances can include personal injury, student illness, and death of a relative or undue hardship as the result of special circumstances. If the appeal is approved the student is placed on Probation Status.The decision of the Appeals Committee is final and students will be notified of the decision via their CTC email.  

Students on Probation Status will be reviewed at the end of each semester to determine if they are meeting the SAP standards.  Students who do not meet the conditions of their academic plan will have their financial aid suspended.

POLICY FOR RE-ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO MAINTAIN SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

Students placed on financial aid probation may re-establish eligibility as follows:  complete one or more terms without financial aid; maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA; and successfully complete 66.66 percent of cumulative credit hours.

POLICY FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS

Transfer credits are included in the quantitative satisfactory academic progress calculation (66.66 percent of cumulative credit hours).