Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To receive federal aid, students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. Each semester, ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵAPP reviews your progress to determine whether you are eligible for aid.

Your Current SAP Status

When you file a FAFSA, your account will show one of these statuses:

CodeWhat It MeansAid Eligibility
GOODSTGood standingEligible for all federal aid
WARPACWarning – not meeting pace (completion rate)Federal aid allowed for one semester
WARGPAWarning – not meeting GPA requirementFederal aid allowed for one semester
WARTRFWarning Transfer – missing transfer transcriptsAid on hold until transcripts reviewed
PRSPACSuspension – not meeting paceNot eligible for federal aid
PRSGPASuspension – not meeting GPANot eligible for federal aid
PROMAXExceeded maximum time frame (150% rule)Not eligible for federal aid

SAP Standards

Federal regulations require students to maintain progress toward a degree or certificate.

  1. GPA (Qualitative Standard)
    • Maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
    • Transfer grades are not counted in this GPA calculation.
  2. Pace (Quantitative Standard)
    • Successfully complete at least 66.7% of all attempted credit hours, including transfer hours.
    • Withdrawals (W), incompletes (I), failures (F, FA), and repeats count as attempted but not completed.
  3. Maximum Time Frame (MTF)
    • You must finish your program within 150% of the required credit hours.
    • Example: An associate degree (60 hours) → max of 90 attempted hours.
    • Includes all coursework at VSCC, even if it does not apply to your current major.
    • Transfer and repeated courses count toward the limit.
  4. Learning Support Limit
    • Limited to 30 attempted credit hours in remedial/learning support classes.
    • Federal aid will only pay for college-level courses after this limit.
    • Cannot be appealed.

Warning & Probation

  • If you fall below the GPA or Pace requirements, you will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one term. You can still receive aid during this time.
  • If you do not regain good standing after your warning term, you will move to Financial Aid Suspension/Probation and lose aid eligibility.
  • Students who exceed MTF (Maximum Time Frame) are immediately ineligible for aid—no warning term is given.

Appeals

If you lose aid due to GPA, Pace, or MTF, you may file an appeal.

How to appeal:

  1. Log into My ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵAPP Student Portal → click Student Forms → Optional Financial Aid Forms → select Financial Aid Appeal Form (#1).
  2. Provide:
    • A written explanation of the circumstances that caused poor performance.
    • Documentation supporting your explanation.
    • A statement of the changes you have made to improve.
  3. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review your request. Allow at least 3 weeks for review.
  4. If approved, you may be placed on an Academic Plan requiring you to follow a set course map with your advisor until you regain good standing.

If your appeal is denied:

  • You may submit a written appeal to the Vice President for Student Services within 5 business days.
  • Further appeals can be submitted in writing to the President.

Transfer & Repeat Coursework

  • WARTRF: Students transferring credits must have all transcripts reviewed by Records before aid can be awarded.
  • Repeats:
    • Federal aid pays for a failed course until you pass it.
    • If you pass a course, aid will only pay for one additional attempt.
    • Repeated classes count toward Pace and MTF calculations.

Key Takeaways

  • Maintain at least 2.0 GPA and 66.7% completion rate.
  • Finish within 150% of your program’s required credit hours.
  • If placed on Warning, you have one term to improve.
  • If placed on Suspension, you must appeal to regain aid.
  • Learning Support courses are capped at 30 hours.