Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Maricopa Community Colleges follows Federal regulations (CFR 668(f) and 668,34) which require you to move towards the completion of a degree, or certificate of completion, within an eligible program when receiving financial aid. There are specific requirements, known as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), for academic success for financial aid recipients and they are applied differently than Scholastic Standards.

It is very important that you meet all of these minimum standards while pursuing your educational goals with the support of financial aid. In the event you do not meet the minimum standards, it may result in loss of Title IV, HEA program (federal financial aid) eligibility. This policy affects all students that have or will apply for financial aid. Federal regulations state that Academic Progress Standards must include a review of all periods of enrollment, regardless of whether or not aid was received.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Video

SAP Evaluation Period

We evaluate your academic progress at the end of each spring, summer, and fall session (or at the end of a non-standard session). Federal regulations require us to review all periods of enrollment, regardless of whether or not you received aid that particular semester.

SAP Evaluation Measurements

To evaluate your academic progress, we compare your performance against three measurements. Failure to meet any of these standards will result in suspension of eligibility for financial aid.
 

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Grade Point Average (GPA)
You must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Watch GPA Explaination Video

Progress (Course Completion)
You must successfully complete two-thirds (66.7%) of all attempted courses.

Watch Progress Explanation Video

Maximum Time Frame (MTF)
You must complete your program without attempting more than 150% of the credits required to complete it.

Watch MTF Explanation Video

Note: Grades of F,I,N,W,X,Y,Z, and courses not yet graded are considered attempted but not meeting progress standards for the purposes of financial aid.

What Coursework is Included in the SAP Calculation?

Included in the SAP Evaluation

  • Courses funded through a consortium agreement
  • All attempted remedial credits
  • Repeated coursework

Not Included in SAP Evaluation

  • Audited courses
  • Non-credit courses
  • Credit by examination
  • Credit for prior learning option (see the college general catalog)
  • Academic Renewal Process

Included in the Maximum Time Frame Evaluation

  • All of those included in the semester evaluation
  • All evaluated transfer credits
  • Students enrolled in an associate degree who have already completed a bachelor's or advanced degree will be considered to have exhausted maximum timeframe eligibility
  • Students enrolled in a bachelor's degree who have already completed an advanced degree will be considered to have exhausted maximum timeframe eligibility
  • Academic Renewal Process

Financial Aid SAP Warning

Students are allowed a warning period upon failing Qualitative and/or Quantitative SAP standards. The warning period allows one semester of Federal Student Aid eligibility upon failing SAP. The warning period will follow the semester for which SAP was not met, meaning the next semester for which the student registers for classes. If students fail to meet SAP after the warning period, they will be placed on Suspension. Note: In order to receive the Warning period, students must be meeting Maximum Timeframe requirements.

Warning Period Video

Warning Period Frequently Asked Questions

Warning Period Frequently Asked Questions

Warning Period Frequently Asked Questions

During the Financial Aid Warning Period, you still qualify for financial aid for the semester following the one you failed to maintain satisfactory progress.

When your status changes to “Not Meets SAP,” as long as you haven’t reached your Maximum Time Frame (MTF), you are eligible for a one semester Warning Period

You can register for an additional semester while remaining eligible to receive federal aid. It is a grace period for you to attempt to meet SAP requirements.

You will be notified of your status before the next semester begins and the Warning Period will start with the new semester.

You may still be eligible for Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), Direct Loans, and institutional funds. You may also be eligible for scholarships depending on their criteria.

Yes. Your Warning Period will begin at the start of the next semester you register for, which does not have to be the next consecutive semester.

We will suspend your financial aid eligibility until you meet SAP requirements.

Yes, if you feel you have extenuating circumstances, you can submit an appeal.

You may be eligible for non-consecutive Warning Periods — as long as you are still able to complete your program of study within 150% of the Maximum Time Frame.

SAP Appeal Process

If you’ve lost financial aid eligibility due to an extenuating circumstance, you may appeal to have your financial aid reinstated by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form and submitting any supporting documentation.

  • Submitted documentation is confidential 
  • SAP appeal results notification occurs within 5-7 business days (*up to 14 business days during peak times—January, July–September
  • Notification will include any restrictions or conditions
  • Outcome may include probationary period or a denial
  • All decisions are final and cannot be appealed

Extenuating Circumstances for an Appeal

An extenuating circumstance is a situation beyond your control that may involve a significant amount of your time, preventing you from successfully attending class or completing your courses.

Here are some examples of extenuating circumstances:

  • Documented medical condition or serious illness
  • Documented illness of a family member
  • Death of an immediate family member
  • Involuntary call to active military duty
  • Documented involuntary change in employment conditions
  • Any other extraordinary circumstances, such as a natural disaster

What is not an extenuating circumstance?

  • Errors in judgment involving transportation, finances, academic ability, time management, computer access, etc.
  • Lack of knowledge or misinterpretation of college policies and procedures
  • Financial Aid not processed, not prepared for class, unable to afford books
  • Dissatisfaction with course content or instruction
  • Acceptance of employment
  • Incarceration
  • Immaturity and bad judgment
  • Failure to meet the terms of your currently approved appeal

Appeal Process

Regaining Eligibility

If you have lost your financial aid eligibility, the only way to regain it is by meeting the minimum SAP standards. Keep in mind that course work taken at other colleges will not be considered for reinstatement purposes.

Need Help With an Appeal or Have SAP Questions?

Book a virtual 30-minute one-on-one session with a staff member that includes in-depth guidance and assistance with SAP, or contact your college’s Financial Aid Office for help and examples of supporting documentation for an appeal.

Appeals Requiring an Academic Plan

Appeals granted for longer than one payment period must include an academic plan. Failure to follow an approved academic plan will result in immediate suspension of Federal Student Aid. You are responsible for all debt incurred as a result of this adjustment to your financial aid. Failure to successfully complete all conditions in the academic plan during the probationary period will result in the loss of future financial aid eligibility.

Academic Probation Versus Financial Aid Probation

Financial aid probation (or suspension) for failing to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress is not the same thing as academic probation for failing to meet Scholastic Standards. If you need to appeal an academic probation, you must do so through the Admissions and Standards Committee.

 

Connect With Your College's Financial Aid Office

For immediate assistance with your financial aid questions, call 480-731-8900. Regular business hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m–6 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Hours are modified during specific times of the year and for business reasons. Information about specific modified hours of operation are located at the Maricopa Contact Center.

Chandler-Gilbert
Community College

2626 E. Pecos Rd.

Chandler, AZ 85225

financialaid@cgc.edu

Estrella Mountain
Community College

3000 N. Dysart Rd.

Avondale, AZ 85392

finaid@estrellamountain.edu

GateWay
Community College

108 N. 40th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85034

finaid@gatewaycc.edu

Glendale
Community College

6000 W. Olive Ave.

Glendale, AZ 85302

finaid@gccaz.edu

Mesa
Community College

1833 W. Southern Ave.

Mesa, AZ 85202

mccfinaid@mesacc.edu

Phoenix
College

1202 W. Thomas Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85013

pc-finaid@phoenixcollege.edu

Chat

Rio Salado
College

2323 W. 14th St.

Tempe, AZ 85281

financial.aid@riosalado.edu

Scottsdale
Community College

9000 E. Chaparral Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85256

finaid@scottsdalecc.edu

South Mountain
Community College

7050 S. 24th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85042

finaid@southmountaincc.edu