STANDARDS OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a degree can result in the loss of all student aid dollars! The requirement that SAP be monitored is based on federal laws, which govern federal student aid. These regulations require that a student make progress toward their degree in two ways:

1. By meeting and maintaining a Minimum Cumulative GPA as illustrated below; and (Qualitative Requirement) 
2. By completing 75% of the credit hours attempted in any given semester. (Quantitative Requirement)

To comply with these regulations, the academic records of all students are reviewed each semester to determine if a student is maintaining minimum averages based on the number of credits attempted, according to the following chart:

A student must receive credit for a minimum of 75% of the total number of credits attempted as registered at the end of the drop/add period. This is monitored on a cumulative basis each semester. Only credits passed with grades of "A", "B", "C", "D", or "P" will be counted as credits earned. Grades of "I", "F", "W", "WF", or "WP" will not be counted as credits earned, but will count towards credits attempted.

Transfer students who have never enrolled at Dana will be considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress if they are admitted to a degree program and will be monitored from the point of enrollment at Dana. If a student was not making Satisfactory Academic Progress at the previous institution, the Director of Financial Aid may review the case and place the student on financial aid probation or suspension at Dana.
In determining a transfer student’s Cumulative GPA average, transfer credits initially accepted at Dana will be added to credits attempted at Dana. The percentage of credits passed over credits attempted will be calculated only on credits taken at Dana College.

Financial Aid Probation
Students who do not meet the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for their following semester of attendance at Dana College. Students will be allowed to retain their financial aid during this probationary period. At the end of the probationary semester, their Cumulative GPA and percentage of credits earned over credits attempted will be reviewed. If the student meets both requirements they will be removed from probation. If the student still does not meet either the quantitative or qualitative requirement, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension
Suspension of financial aid will occur following the semester of financial aid probation if the student fails to achieve the required GPA or the minimum 75% of total credits attempted.

Reinstatement
Reinstatement of financial aid will occur at the end of any grading period in which the minimum 75% of CUMULATIVE credits attempted is achieved, and the student meets the required cumulative GPA. Students may use summer courses and interim study to reinstate their eligibility for financial aid.

Appeals
An appeal process is available to students who are placed on suspension for lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress. If unusual circumstances have affected a student’s progress, the decision to suspend or terminate financial aid may be appealed. Requests for appeals must be made in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The letter should state detailed reasons for the appeal. Appeals must be submitted by August 1 for the Fall semester and January 1 for the Spring semester.

Waiver of Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
The Standards of Academic Progress may be waived under the following circumstances, and upon written documentation of the following:

1. Death of an immediate family member
2. Personal injury or illness
3. Special circumstances as determined by Dana