ACADEMICS

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) POLICY

Effective July 1, 2011

Financial Aid Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress

In compliance with federal regulations, Arkansas Baptist College is required to establish policies and procedures to monitor the academic progress of students receiving federal financial aid. As a condition for continued eligibility for Title IV Student Financial Aid Assistance, students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward earning a degree. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed after each fall, spring, and summer semester for degree seeking students. Progress will be measured by three academic standards: cumulative grade point average, credit hour completion, and time frame to complete degree program. If a student fails to meet any of the standards, financial aid could be affected.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

Credit Hour Completion

Students are required to successfully complete 67% of ABC Overall attempted credit hours to remain eligible for federal financial aid and stay on track for degree completion. The formula used to monitor credit hour completion is as follows:

# of Overall Earned Credit Hours                 X 100

# of ABC Overall Attempted Credit Hours

Satisfactory academic progress will be checked the first time aid is packaged for transfer students and then, as listed above. For transfer students in the first semester of enrollment, the formula is as follows:

# of Overall Earned Credit Hours                 X 100

# of ABC Overall Attempted Credit Hours

+ Transfer Hours Accepted by ABC

Below are the minimum semester requirements based on a student’s attempted hours.

Withdrawals, Administrative Withdrawals, Incompletes, Failures, repeated and non-credit remedial coursework or hours attempted for change of majors will be counted towards hours attempted. A student is limited to 30 developmental credit hours while receiving federal financial aid.

Federal financial aid programs will not cover any developmental courses taken after reaching the maximum 30 hours. These courses include but are not limited to DEV/SCH 001, DEV/SCH 002, DEV/SCH 003, and DEV/SCH 004.

Maximum Time Frame to Complete Degree Program

Students can receive aid for no more than 150 percent of the total hours required for degree completion. Maximum credit hours attempted at ABC and accepted transfer hours are considered when determining financial aid eligibility.

Once a degree has been earned, a student must commit to another degree program before financial aid can be awarded. Students seeking multiple degrees are required to submit a degree audit with the Financial Aid Appeal. All hours attempted for previous degrees earned will be included in evaluating Satisfactory Academic progress for the chosen degree.

Financial Aid (SAP) Warning

Students who fail to meet the satisfactory academic progress policy will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for the fall, spring, or summer semester of ABC enrollment. Students on warning will be eligible to receive financial aid for one additional semester. No appeal of warning is necessary.  During this time, the student should develop a plan on how to improve academic performance and meet the standards by the end of subsequent semester.

Financial Aid Probation

Students who submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals committee and have an approved appeal will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. A student may receive aid for one semester while on probation. If the student does not meet the standards of the policy in one semester, there is no appeal option. The student will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid until the policy standards are met at the student’s expense.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students who fail to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of their financial aid semester warning will be placed on financial aid suspension and will lose their eligibility to receive financial aid. To regain financial aid eligibility students must complete course work at their own expense until the policy minimums are met: achievement of the required ABC cumulative GPA; completion of 67% of the attempted cumulative credit hours as calculated; and the student cannot exceed the maximum time frame for degree completion. Any student who regains eligibility will be considered as making satisfactory academic progress.

Students placed on academic suspension are automatically placed on financial aid suspension. Academic suspension will require a student to complete two appeals: one regarding academic suspension as well as an appeal regarding financial aid suspension.

Summer School
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Summer School will be based on the student’s eligibility for the previous academic year. A student who meets the requirements for fall and spring will also qualify for financial aid for the summer sessions. However, a student deemed ineligible to receive aid during the spring semester will not qualify for financial aid for the upcoming fall semester and any future terms until the student meets the satisfactory academic progress policy.

Appeals to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

A student determined ineligible to receive financial aid may file a written appeal to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee within fifteen (15) business days. The appeal must include a formal letter stating the nature of the appeal and all relevant documentation related to the appeal. In the appeal, the student must explain why he or she failed to meet SAP standards; what has changed that will allow the standards to be met in the next semester; and how the student will complete the degree program by submitting a program plan of study.

Appeals may be granted based unusual or extenuating circumstances which prevented the student from completing the required hours. Extenuating circumstances are defined as change in the academic program, illness, death of a family member or other traumatic life-altering event of the student. The appeal may not be based upon the need for assistance or the lack of knowledge that assistance was in jeopardy. No appeal will be accepted without documentation.  

Students will be notified of all appeals decisions in writing by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.  The committee may request additional documentation before reaching a decision. If the appeal is approved by the Financial Aid Appeals committee, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. The student will be eligible to receive aid and must meet the requirements of the satisfactory academic progress policy or complete an academic plan detailed by the committee. If the student is enrolled during the semester the appeal was approved, the student would be required to meet the standard of the policy by the end of the current semester. Otherwise, the student would be required to meet the standards of the policy during the next semester of enrollment. Decisions made by the committee are final.

Students are encouraged to submit their appeal as soon as possible upon notification of financial aid suspension. Appeals received during the registration period will not be reviewed until after registration ends. Therefore, students who anticipate paying their fees using financial aid must make provisions to pay their fees with other sources during this time.

Only one appeal will be allowed for each aid year. Once a decision is rendered, appeals for the same aid year will not be accepted. Students are eligible to appeal a maximum of three (3) times during their undergraduate career. Students who are unsure of their situation should contact the financial aid office. All appeals should be mailed or faxed to:

Financial Aid Appeals Committee

Arkansas Baptist College

1621 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Little Rock AR 72202-6068

(501) 372 – 7993   fax

(501) 372 – 6883   telephone

SAMPLE APPEAL LETTER

Jack Smith

123 Academic Lane

Buffalo Town, AR 72011

ID#: A0123

Dear Committee:

I was enrolled at Arkansas Baptist College during the 2010-2011 academic year. On January 23, 2011, my grandmother died from a serious illness. I failed two of my classes and withdrew from the other courses because I was depressed and my doctor recommended it. Attached is the program from my grandmother’s funeral, her death certificate, and a note form the doctor who treated me during this time.

I would like to return to ABC for the fall semester 2011. Prior to my grandmother’s illness, I was a good student who had made the honor roll and the dean’s list in previous semesters. My doctor has placed me on medication and he and I both believe I am ready to return to school. I have completed my FAFSA, met with a counselor to discuss my current degree program, and hope you will consider me for this appeal.

Sincerely,

Jack Smith

SAMPLE ACADEMIC PLAN

ARKANSAS BAPTIST COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL STUDIES

MODEL PLAN OF STUDY

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS /GENERAL STUDIES – 61 CREDIT HOURS

Name: _______________________________________         ID#:  ______________________________________             

Student Signature: _____________________________          Projected graduation date: _____________________

Today’s Date: _________________________________

* State of Arkansas requirement

**Institutional Requirements