Satisfactory Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federally Funded Programs must be made to maintain eligibility for Federal Title IV Financial Aid.

Maximum Hours to earn a degree:

Federal law requires that students receiving funds under Title IV must complete their educational program within a time frame no longer than 150% of the published length to earn a certificate or associate degree. All periods of attendance and credits attempted count toward the time frame, regardless of whether the student received Federal Title IV aid for that attendance.

SUNY Sullivan Certificate Programs require thirty (30) credits, a student could not attempt more than (forty-five) 45 credits to complete the certificate (30 x 1.5=45).

SUNY Sullivan Associate Degree Programs require (sixty-four) 64 credits, a student could not attempt more than (ninety-six) 96 credits to complete the degree (64 x 1.5 = 96).

• • Withdrawals: All grades including W are counted as attempted credits.
  • Developmental Courses: If a student is required to take non-credit remedial courses, these courses will not count in the 150% maximum number of attempted credits.
  • Transfer credits: Accepted credits for your academic program will count for credits attempted and earned; Transfer students will be eligible for Federal aid for 150% of the SUNY Sullivan credits needed to earn the associate degree after determining the transfer credits accepted toward the degree.
  • Incompletes: All grades including I are counted as attempted credits.
  • Pass/Fail: All grades including P or F are counted as attempted credits.
  • Double majors/change majors: You will be required to complete all degree requirements before reaching (ninety-six) 96 attempted credits.
  • Second degree: Students earning an associate degree in one program and entering a second associate degree program will be eligible for Federal aid for 150% of the credits needed to complete the second degree.
  • Note: If it is determined a student does not have sufficient financial aid credits remaining to complete the requirements of the degree the student is placed on Unsatisfactory Progress (UP). EXAMPLE: Student has attempted (seventy-six) 76 credits without earning a degree, the student has (twenty) 20 financial aid credits and from the track sheet it is determined (twenty-five) 25 credits are needed to complete the degree, it is mathematically impossible to earn the degree with remaining credits and the student is placed on UP.

Students must be in good academic standing as defined by SUNY Sullivan

Satisfactory progress for federally funded programs must be made to maintain eligibility for federal Title IV financial aid (Federal Pell Grant, Federal Academic Competitive Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal College Work Study, Federal Teach Grant, Federal Direct Loan Program and Federal Direct Parent’s Loans for Undergraduate Students).

Federal law requires that students receiving funds under Title IV must complete their educational program within a time frame no longer than one hundred fifty percent of the published length to earn a certificate or associate degree. For purposes of determining eligibility, satisfactory progress is defined as not only being in good academic standing as defined by the college but also accumulating a minimum number of credits toward the certificate or degree with a minimum grade point average as defined in the satisfactory progress chart.

All periods of attendance and credits attempted count toward the time frame, regardless of whether the student received federal Title IV aid for that attendance.

For example, for a certificate requiring thirty (30) credits, a student could not attempt more than forty-five (45) credits to complete the certificate. For an associate degree requiring sixty-four (64) credits, a student could not attempt more than ninety-six (96) credits to complete the degree.

Students earning an associate degree in one program and entering a second associate degree program will be eligible for federal aid for one hundred fifty percent of the credits needed to complete the second degree.

Transfer students will be eligible for federal aid for one hundred fifty percent of the Sullivan credits needed to earn the associate degree after determining the transfer credits accepted toward the degree.

Satisfactory Progress Chart for Federal Title IV Aid

For financial aid purposes, good academic standing consists of two elements: satisfactory academic progress and pursuit of program. Satisfactory progress is a measure of the student’s achievement, of earning credits toward a degree or certificate with a specified grade point average. Pursuit of program is a measure of the student’s effort to complete a program.

In accordance with section 145-2.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, each institution participating in State student financial aid programs must determine whether a student is in good academic standing based on a standard of satisfactory academic progress comprising a minimum number of credits to be accrued (earned) with a minimum cumulative grade point average in each term an award payment is received. The progress standard is most clearly presented in chart format (see below).

After 4 TAP payments (24 TAP pts) being received from one or more colleges, a student must be maintaining a 2.0 Grade Point Average to continue to receive TAP awards.

Effective for the 2010-11 academic year and thereafter, New York State Education Law requires a non-remedial student, whose first award year is in 2010-11 and thereafter, must meet new standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Non-remedial students whose first year is 2007-08 through 2009-10 must meet the SAP requirements enacted in 2006. Those meeting the definition of “remedial student” are not subject to the new SAP standards, but will use the requirements established in 2006. The law enacted in 2006 mandated minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for students receiving their first State award in academic year 2006-07 year.

Effective 2010-11 for non-remedial students receiving first NYS award payment in 2010-11 and thereafter. Remedial students and students enrolled in an approved certificate program will use the 2006 SAP charts.

(for non-remedial students first receiving TAP in 2010-2011 and thereafter effective 2011-2012 school year)

1. “Remedial student” is defined as a student:
   1. Whose scores on a recognized college placement exam or nationally recognized standardized exam indicated the need for remediation for at least two semesters, as certified by the college and approved by the State Education Department (SED); or
   2. Who was enrolled in at least six semester hours of non-credit remedial courses, as approved by SED, in the first term they received a TAP award; or
   3. Who is or was enrolled in an opportunity program (HEOP, EOP, SEEK CD)

ELIGIBILITY CHART FOR NEW YORK STATE TAP GRANT 2006 Standards

(for defined ‘remedial students’ first receiving TAP in 2007-2008 and thereafter or students first receiving TAP in 2007-2008 through and including 2009-2010)

SIX SEMESTER LIMIT: The Governor and the Legislature of New York State have placed a limit of 6 TAP payments for students enrolled in a two-year program of study. NOTE: All prior TAP or STAP payments received by a student, regardless of the college the student attended, are factored into the six semester limit.

EXAMPLE: A student received four TAP payments while at college X. The student transfers to Sullivan into a two year program. This student has two TAP payments left (6-4=2).

NYS TAP – Program Pursuit

Program pursuit is defined in regulations as completing—getting a grade in–a percentage of the minimum full-time course load in each term an award is received. The percentage, as specified in regulations, begins at fifty percent of the minimum full-time course load in each term of the first year an award is received, to seventy-five percent in each term of the second year an award is received, to one hundred percent in each term of the third year an award is received and thereafter.

Pursuit is an effort or completion requirement rather than an achievement requirement, so courses in which a student receives either passing or failing grades can be used to satisfy the pursuit requirement. Thus, grades of A through F and any other grade that indicates the student completed the course and all necessary assignments (e.g., P, S, U, R) are acceptable to meet the pursuit requirement. W grades or any grade which indicates the student failed to complete the course or assignments cannot be used to satisfy the pursuit requirement. Incomplete (I) grades can be used to meet the pursuit requirement providing college policy requires the grade to be resolved to a passing or failing grade no later than the end of the subsequent term.

Grades earned in remedial courses as well as credit-bearing courses can be included in meeting the pursuit requirement.

NOTE: To be eligible for a TAP Grant, you must be a New York State resident enrolled and attending a minimum of twelve (12) credits toward your degree through three weeks of classes. These twelve (12) credits DO NOT include courses you are repeating for which you have received a prior letter grade, including the letter grade of I or X. If your prior letter grade was an F or W and the course is required for graduation, then this course is counted in the twelve (12) credits. If your prior letter grade was a D and a grade of C or better is required for your program major, then this course is counted in the twelve (12) credits.

Students can appeal the loss of federal aid eligibility if there were extenuating or special circumstances beyond their control. To appeal your Satisfactory Academic Progress status, you must submit:

• A Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form

• A typewritten letter explanation of circumstances

• Required documentation detailing the extenuating circumstances Considerations for appeals exist if you had but are not limited to:

1. 1. 1. A severe illness, medical condition, injury, medical emergency, traumatic life altering experience, including financial, and/or personal catastrophe, death of a parent, spouse, immediate family member, etc.

• An Academic Improvement Plan

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval to reinstate your eligibility for receiving financial aid.

Appeal Approval Conditions

Appeals can only be approved if the SAP Appeal Committee determines:

• You will be able to meet SUNY Sullivan’s satisfactory academic progress chart after the next payment period; or
• You have agreed to follow an Academic Plan that, if followed, will ensure that the student can meet the college’s satisfactory academic progress guidelines by a specific point in time

If your appeal is granted:

• You will receive aid on a conditional basis for one semester (this is known as the probationary period)
• The conditions will be outlined in a letter sent to you granting the appeal
• The SAP Appeal Committee will review your record at the end of the semester to determine your status for the following semester

If your appeal not granted:

• You may appeal to the Dean of Enrollment Management

Students who fail to meet the conditions outlined in their individualized academic plans during their probationary semester will not be allowed to submit a subsequent appeal.

Deadlines:

Appeals should be submitted by:

• August 15 for fall federal aid
• January 10 for spring federal aid

If an appeal is submitted after the deadline dates, students will need to make arrangements for alternative means of payment (other than financial aid) for tuition and fees due to processing time.