Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
It is each individual student’s responsibility to read and adhere to the Standards of Academic Progress (SAP)Policy. The policy is in place because the Higher Education Act of 1965 was amended with Program Integrity regulations passed on October 29, 2010 that mandates institutions of higher education to establish a standard of satisfactory academic progress for a student who receives any financial aid. A student’s entire academic history at all schools attended including transferable hours is reviewed at the time of entry and each semester thereafter whether or not Title IV funded aid was received to ensure compliance with the policy. The financial aid satisfactory academic progress policy should not be confused with Probation or Good Standing as defined by Middle Georgia State University (MGA) academic policies.
Components
The MGA definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress for receiving financial aid includes the following components:
- Grade Point Average Standards -Students are required to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative financial aid grade point average (GPA). Financial aid GPA includes all credit hours attempted at MGA and all other hours accepted for credit from previously attended institutions, including learning support and repeat coursework. NOTE: Financial aid GPA may differ from your academic GPA. Also, grades not associated with quality points cannot be used to calculate GPA. They do, however, count as attempted hours.
- PACE Standard (Quantitative) - Students enrolled at MGA must show measurable progress toward earning a degree by successfully completing a minimum of 67% (no rounding) of cumulative credit hours attempted. Grades of A, B, C, D, P and S count as the successful completion of a course. Grades of F, W, WF, FA, I, IP, NR and U do not count as the successful completion of a course. Transfer consortium, repeated, and learning support count as attempted hours.
- PACE Standard (Maximum Time-Frame) - In addition to previously stated standards, student financial aid is available for up to 150% of the number of hours required to complete the specific program of study. Example: If a bachelor’s program requires 120 hours, a student may attempt a maximum of 180 hours before becoming ineligible for financial aid. Students who change majors or degree programs may reach eligibility limits before obtaining a degree. Students who change majors or degree programs should do so early so as not to jeopardize eligibility for student financial aid. Major changes are not considered mitigating circumstances for financial aid appeal purposes.
Students Seeking Subsequent Degrees- Students who already have a degree and are seeking another degree will be given additional time for completion of their new program. Students may not exceed 150% timeframe for both programs. Students exceeding these hours or pursuing a 3rd degree will be placed on suspension and must appeal to have their eligibility determined (students with this circumstance should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid directly).
| PROGRAM |
MAXIMUM ATTEMPTED HOURS ALLOWED |
| Certificates |
150% of the certificate’s required hours |
| First Associate Degree |
90 semester hours or 150% of required hours |
| First Bachelor Degree |
180 semester hours |
| Second Associate Degree |
150 semester hours ( 90+60=150) |
| Second Bachelor Degree |
270 semester hours (180+90=270) |
| Bachelor Degree Seeking Associate Degree |
240 semester hours (180+60=240) |
| Graduate Degree |
150% of the program’s required hours |
| All Other Program of Studies |
Determined based on prior credentials and current program requirements |
*** THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF STUDY CANNOT EXTEND BEYOND COMPLETION OF COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM***
Review Process
At the beginning of your academic career at MGA and each subsequent semester the Office of Student Financial Aid will determine whether the student has successfully completed the minimum expected number of hours with the required G.P.A. and shown progression toward their current program of study. This review will include all hours attempted during the students’ attendance period at MGA, as well as transfer hours. SAP status is calculated at the end of each semester after grades are posted to academic history. If after this review a student is not making SAP according to Grade Point Average ( qualitative) or PACE (quantitative) standards, their status will be changed to Warning and they will be allowed to receive financial aid the following term(Note: *Transfer exception below). Continued eligibility will be determined after this term. Students who become ineligible due to PACE- max-time frame component will have their aid suspended and they will not be eligible to receive additional financial aid unless an appeal is submitted and approved.
*Transfer Students- Transfer students are ineligible for financial aid until all required transcripts from prior college attendance have been received and reviewed to determine SAP eligibility status. Transfer students not compliant with MGA’s Standards of Academic Progress at their time of entry will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students may appeal this determination.
Learning Support - Only 30 attempted semester hours of remedial classes can be funded by Title IV. After 30 hours, those credits cannot be counted towards your enrollment status. Most state aid programs will not fund remedial coursework at all.