Federal financial aid has updated its Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) rules, which could cause stu- dents to lose financial aid if they do not meet minimum requirements.
A CCS-wide memo sent by CCS Chancellor Christine Johnson stated the requirements needed in order to qualify and keep financial aid are: maintaining a 2.0 grade point average every quarter, completing a minimum number of credits per quarter based on whether full time or part time, and completing a degree within a maximum time frame determined by the length of that specific program.
According to the memo:
“Your SAP is evaluated at the end of every quarter – whether or not you receive financial aid. Financial aid staff must look at your grade point average, how quickly you are com- pleting the classes in your major and the number of classes you attempt versus the number you complete.”
The new regulations take effect immediately, but the Chancellor worries that students may not change negative behaviors as quickly.
“My main concern is that students won’t read all the regulations and that some students won’t take these rules seriously,” Johnson said. “These are going to be high stakes for students and their education.”
The regulations also bring some concerns from faculty. “What frustrates me is that there was abuse under the old system,” George Suttle, an SFCC history teacher said. “But I think that sometimes when you try and fix one problem you create another.
“These new regulations don’t take into account hard classes; I have students who have done very well for themselves with a 1.9 or 1.8 but won’t be able to get financial aid.”
The grade aspect isn’t the only worry teachers have but also students who are having to define their major at a young age.
“A lot of students don’t know who they are or what they want to major in and colleges should encourage exploration,” Suttle said. “Instead of finding something they actually want to do as a career, students will most likely just ask where the money is.”
Students who depend on financial aid are also expressing concerns with the new regulations.
“I just treat financial aid like it’s my paycheck and in return I’m supposed to work hard and get good grades,” Sarah Davis- Hood an SFCC student said. “If I lost financial for some reason I’d be really screwed. If a student doesn’t meet these requirements that doesn’t necessarily mean the end for receiving financial aid.
“Students have two opportunities to appeal if they fall below the line,” Johnson said. “These rules will also apply to every college student in every state.
“We have never seen anything like this before, but its all about the budget.”