Satisfactory Academic Progress

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

The Federal Government mandates that students must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their degrees within a reasonable period of time in order to be eligible for Title IV financial aid programs (includes grants, Stafford, and PLUS)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined as:

• Earning (passing) a required number of hours (67% of all hours attempted) and
• Achieving a required grade point average (see GPA chart)
• Total attempted hours must not exceed 150% of the published length of the students’ degree program.

WHEN IS SAP REVIEWED?

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be reviewed and determined:

1. BEFORE aid is initially awarded, then

2. at specific increments explained below depending upon the student’s program of study:

Baton Rouge College Diploma Students: Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed again after each semester (increment = one semester) for students enrolled in diploma programs.

Baton Rouge College Associate Degree Program: Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed again after the each semester (increment = one semester) for students enrolled in associate degree programs.

HOW IS SAP REVIEWED? (Three measures- Qualitative, Quantitative/PACE, and Maximum Time Frame)

QUALITATIVE MEASURE (GPA)

The qualitative standard is the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA).  The qualitative standard requires that as the number of hours attempted increases, the student’s cumulative GPA increases.  Baton Rouge College students will need to achieve a cumulative GPA relative to the total number of hours attempted as outlined in the chart below:

All grades attempted will be considered. These include, but are not limited to, courses passed, courses failed, courses from which the student withdrew (officially or unofficially), repeated courses, transfer courses, and remedial/developmental coursework.

QUANTITATIVE MEASURE  – PACE

In calculating the quantitative measure, we will measure the “Pace” at which the student is progressing. This is done by dividing the cumulative course hours completed/earned by the cumulative/total course hours attempted. SAP will be met if the student is achieving the appropriate cumulative GPA (see GPA chart above) and the Pace is equal to 67% or higher and the student has not reached 150% maximum time frame allowed for their degree program. (see Maximum Hours Allowed below)

In calculating the quantitative measure or Pace, all hours attempted will be considered. These include, but are not limited to, courses passed, courses failed, courses from which the student withdrew (officially or unofficially), repeated courses, transfer courses, and non-credit remedial/developmental coursework.

MAXIMUM HOURS ALLOWED

Students may receive federal financial aid if they have attempted below 150% of the hours required to complete their program. To determine the maximum allowable hours for a specific program or study, refer to the Baton Rouge College catalog to determine the total number of hours required for the program and multiply that figure by 1.50.

(Example: If the degree program requires 60 credits to complete the program, multiply 60 credits x 1.50 = 90. The maximum allowable attempted credits for the degree program in this example = 90 credits.)

Credits attempted includes all credits pursued, earned, dropped, and failed. All of these credits are counted as attempted even if the student did not receive aid.

HOW OTHER FACTORS PERTAIN TO SAP

“I” GRADES- An “I” (incomplete) will be considered an “F” until a letter grade is assigned in its place. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of the grade change.