The Marion Technical College Satisfactory Academic Progress policy (SAP) is used to ensure that students are moving toward successfully completing the program of study for which they are receiving Title IV aid in a timely manner. The SAP policy is comprised of qualitative and quantitative measurements that must both be met to comply as disclosed in regulation 668.34. A full description of this regulation is available in the financial aid policy & procedure manual.
The qualitative measure relates to the grade average that a student must maintain. A student must maintain a “C” (70%) average or higher as designated by the individual program grading scale in which they are enrolled. The quantitative measure applies to attendance and completing the program of study on pace within a maximum timeframe considering both scheduled hours and weeks. The student’s attendance and pace will be measured at the end of each disbursement payment period. The maximum time frame to complete a program will be within 110% of the designated program length. A student must attend and complete at least 90% of the program scheduled hours and weeks. Student absences within the 10% allowed timeframe per the Institutions attendance policy will not be required to be made up. The student’s cumulative clock hours over a calendar year will be evaluated. A chart that depicts each program’s maximum timeframe as well as the checkpoints by disbursement payment periods is printed on the reverse side of this SAP policy.
A student’s transfer credits will be evaluated and certified by the program manager/instructor, using the MTC transfer of credit form and required transcripts or other acceptable documentation. Any accepted transfer hours will be considered as completed hours in the maximum time frame calculation.
The procedure for checking SAP will be as follows:
For programs less than one academic year, SAP will be evaluated by the financial aid office at the point when the student successfully completes the scheduled clock hours for a disbursement payment period. The financial aid office will review the student’s financial aid file for any corrective actions issued and view the student academic report in MTC student information system (FOCUS) indicating the student’s grade, attendance and progression/pace in the program. If any of the stated requirements fall below the minimum standards, the student will automatically be placed on a “warning status” until the end of the next disbursement payment period; however, will continue to receive Title IV aid. Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress by the end of the warning payment period will result in termination of Title IV aid. At this point in time, the student will be classified as “self- pay” and no additional Title IV aid will be offered. A probation period is not allowed.
For programs greater than one academic year, SAP will be evaluated by the financial aid office at the point where a student successfully completes the scheduled clock hours for a disbursement payment period. The financial aid office will review the student’s financial aid file for any corrective actions issued and view the student academic report in MTC student information system (FOCUS) indicating the student’s grade, attendance and progression/pace in the program. If any of the stated requirements fall below the minimum standards, the student will automatically be placed on a “warning status” until the end of the next disbursement payment period; however, will continue to receive Title IV aid. Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress by the end of the warning payment period will result in termination of Title IV aid. The student could remain in school as a self-pay student for the next payment period. Reinstatement of Title IV aid may occur after a successful SAP evaluation at the end of the self-pay payment period.
Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress by the end of the warning payment period
will result in termination of Title IV aid. The student could remain in school as a self-pay student for the next payment period. Reinstatement of Title IV aid may occur after a successful SAP evaluation at the end of the self-pay payment period.
There is no appeal process to re-establish Title IV eligibility if a student that was terminated due to unsatisfactory academic progress wants to return to school at a later date. They would not be eligible for Title IV funding, and would return on a “self- pay” basis if re-admission to the program was granted. After a successful SAP evaluation of a payment period they can become Title IV eligible if applicable. There is no provision in this SAP policy to allow for repeats, remedial, withdrawals or incomplete coursework. If a student withdraws from the program after losing Title IV eligibility, the required R2T4 calculation will be performed to determine if any monies are owed to the federal government. The student may still owe a balance to the school.
PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT
Professional Judgment (HEA Sec. 479A(a)) may be granted by the financial aid administrator to address a student’s financial and family circumstances that may have changed from the base year information originally reported on the FAFSA. Professional judgment will only be used on a case-by-case basis to address special circumstances, which are conditions that differentiate an individual student from a class of students. A Professional Judgment decision may not be appealed. See the financial aid administrator for application procedures.
View MTC’s Satisfactory Academic Policy download the PDF here.