Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To be eligible for federal and state financial aid programs, students are required by the U.S. Department of Education and the State of California to maintain satisfactory academic progress as they work toward completing their educational objective – Certificate, AA or AS degree, or Transfer Program. The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has established guidelines to promote timely completion of its educational programs, which is applied to all classes taken in the LACCD. The following questions and answers are provided to further explain WHO is affected by SAP, WHICH financial aid programs are affected, HOW the policy is applied, and WHAT you can do to maintain progress or appeal. A complete policy statement is available in the Financial Aid Office.

Programs governed by the LACCD SAP policy include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), Federal Direct (student) and PLUS (parent) Loans (FDSL), Student Success Completion Grant (SSCG), Cal Grants (A, B & C), Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, and the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP). The Board of Governors Fee Waiver is exempt from the Financial Aid SAP requirements.

All students who apply for, receive, and/or wish to receive financial aid are affected by the SAP policy and requirements. All students are monitored for Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of each payment period/semester. Federal guidelines require that we count all classes even if a student was not receiving financial aid at the time they were enrolled. Units from all semesters and terms are counted and evaluated. Classes taken at any of the colleges in our District count toward your enrollment status when determining how much you will be paid. A student who has been disqualified at any college in the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is disqualified at all colleges within the LACCD.

Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
Successfully complete a minimum of 66.5% of all units attempted.
Have attempted less than 150% of the number of units required for your academic program.
WHAT is a 2.0 GPA?

Basically, a 2.0 GPA is a “C” average. Your GPA is calculated by dividing the number of “grade points” you received by the number of units you attempted. Grades are assigned the following “point” value.

• A = 4 points
• B = 3 points
• C = 2 points
• D = 1 point
• F = 0 point

For example: If you enroll and complete 12 units in a semester with all “C” grades, you will have earned a 2.0 GPA. 24 points divided by 12 units = 2.0

Students must successfully complete a minimum of 66.5% of the cumulative units they attempt. Classes in which you earn grades of A,B,C,D,CR or P are considered successfully completed.

Federal guideline allow colleges to account for circumstances that may extend the period of time a student requires to complete their academic program. As such, the LACCD will allow students to attempt up to 150% of number of units normally required for their academic program. For example, most associate degree and transfer programs require 60 units, so students may attempt up to 89 units (less than 150%) before being disqualified from financial aid.

Students may receive financial aid for up to 30 units of remedial coursework.

Warning letters are sent to students whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 and/or cumulative non grades are greater than 33.5%. Students who receive one of these letters should see an academic counselor as soon as possible. Students should work with their counselor to determine the steps they can take to improve their GPA and/or percentage of successfully completed classes. A warning letter is exactly what it says: it is a WARNING. Students remain eligible for financial aid, but they may jeopardize future eligibility if their progress does not improve. Advisory notification is sent to students whose number of units attempted exceeds 75% and 100% of the student’s academic program maximum time frame. Again, you should see an academic counselor to make sure you are taking the classes you need to reach your educational goal before you reach the 150% maximum time frame. Students receiving financial aid will receive a disqualification notification if they did not meet any of the requirements.

Students may submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Office. A Comprehensive Student Educational Plan from an academic counselor must be on file for all extension appeals. Please note that financial need is already assumed and should not be included as part of the reason for the appeal. The following types of circumstances may be considered when evaluating a student’s appeal:

• Unusual circumstances, including an extended illness of the student or a close family member.
• Change in major.
• Grade changes due to course repetition.
• Academic advisement recommendation affecting unit completion.

This information is subject to change without notice for reasons related to changes in Federal and State regulations and District policy. Students who have questions about financial aid and the SAP policy of LACCD should consult with the Financial Aid Office at their campus. This brochure is a summary of federal, state, district and college regulations, policies and procedures. Additional information is available regarding the SAP policy, status determination, and appeal.