Financial Aid Eligibility and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Federal regulations require that all students who receive any federal financial assistance meet minimum academic standards as they progress toward a degree. This is known as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Berea College expects all enrolled students to meet minimum SAP standards. Students are responsible for understanding SAP and graduation requirements and monitoring their academic standing to ensure compliance with these policies. (These standards apply to aid eligibility and do not replace or override Berea College academic policies as outlined in Academic Performance Standards.)
SAP is determined quantitatively (through pace and maximum timeframe) and qualitatively (through GPA). Students must maintain SAP in all three areas to remain eligible for federal financial aid. SAP is evaluated at the conclusion of each spring term.
Enrollment
The minimum standard for full-time enrollment is three credits per term. The minimum standard for part-time enrollment (at least half-time) is 1.5 credits per term.
Quantitative
The maximum time frame in which a student must complete their degree cannot exceed more than 150% of the published length of the student’s program. All majors at Berea require a minimum of 32 credits to complete the degree and must be completed in six (6) academic years for financial aid purposes. Berea College students can, therefore, attempt up to 48 credits and still be eligible for aid. Once 48 credits are exceeded, eligibility for federal aid is suspended. All repeated courses, failed courses, withdrawals, and transferred hours will count as credits attempted toward the maximum time frame. In addition, students must earn at least two-thirds (67%) of all credits attempted. This is known as pace.
Qualitative
In order to meet qualitative SAP standards, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. (Students who have been placed on academic probation by the College are considered to be meeting SAP with a 1.67 GPA after their second term and a 1.85 GPA after their third term.)
Evaluation
All enrolled students are evaluated for SAP at the end of each spring term after official grades have posted. Students who fail SAP will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will be notified by Student Financial Aid Services that they are no longer eligible for financial aid. However, students placed on suspension may appeal.
Appeals
Appeals must be submitted to Student Financial Aid Services in written form. The appeal must speak to the circumstances surrounding the failure to meet SAP standards. The appeal must also detail the plans in place to achieve academic success for the upcoming term and to ensure successful and timely degree completion. The appeal must also list the resources students will utilize to support their plan.
Regaining Eligibility
Students will be considered in good standing for financial aid purposes once they reach minimum SAP standards or receive approval of a submitted appeal. Students granted an approval will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. Probation allows students to receive aid for one period of enrollment with the understanding they must meet certain minimum standards as explained in their SAP plan. SAP will be evaluated after each probationary term. Failure to meet the minimum standards of the SAP plan will again result in suspension.
Sitting out for any length of time does not affect a student’s SAP status. Students who re-enroll after a period of absence must submit an appeal if they were not meeting SAP standards at the time they left in order for financial aid eligibility to be determined.