Students

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Savannah Technical College, as well as Federal and State regulations require that students meet certain academic standards to remain in good academic standing and keep their financial aid. It is your responsibility to make sure you know and understand these requirements.

Effective Fall 2014, the Academic Standing policy requires that you maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 each semester to remain in good academic standing.

If a student does not earn an overall minimum grade point average of at least 2.0, the student will be placed on Academic Warning status for one semester. After one semester on Academic Warning status, if the overall grade point average is not raised to the required 2.0, the student will be academically suspended. A student who is academically suspended must meet with a faculty/academic advisor to appeal for reinstatement to the college.

In addition to maintaining Good Academic Standing, all Federal and State financial aid recipients must also meet the financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements (below). Please note that the academic appeal and financial aid appeal are two separate processes.

Federal and state regulations require students meet minimum academic requirements to remain eligible for financial aid each semester. In order to maintain financial aid eligibility at Savannah Technical College, students must meet minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) and completion rate requirements as well as successfully complete, within a maximum timeframe, all coursework required for completion of the chosen program of study.

Savannah Technical College requires:

  • Grade Point Average – must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0 (grade of “C” or higher) and
  • Completion Rate – must complete with a grade of “C” or higher at least two-thirds of all credit hours attempted (passed credit divided by attempted credit hours. For the purpose of calculation, 66.666…% is rounded to 67%) and
  • 150% Maximum Timeframe – must complete program within 150% maximum timeframe within program of study. Multiply the number of credits required to graduate from your program X 1.5 = maximum attempted credits allowed. For example, your program requires 36 credits to graduate, 54 is the maximum attempted credits allowed (36 X 1.5 = 54).

You are expected to know and understand the SAP policy. The Financial Aid Office will notify you of your status via your Savannah Tech student email address. You are not excused from financial aid warning or suspension status nor are you exempt from appealing in a timely manner if you do not receive notification because you did not check your student email. You may log into your BANNER Web account at any time to check your financial aid SAP status.

Grades and Completion Rate

Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated after grades are issued each semester.

Grade Point Average:

  • Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.0 (grade of “C” or higher).
  • Grades of “A”, “B”, and “C” are considered successfully completed while grades of “D”, and  “F” will negatively affect the grade point average.
  • Transfer courses that count toward the student’s program are not included in the GPA calculation.
  • Learning Support courses, and ESOL courses are not included in computing GPA.

Completion Rate and Maximum Time Frame:

  • Students must successfully complete two-thirds of credit hours and complete their program of study within 1.5 times the normal length of the program.
  • Grades of “U”, “W”, “D”, and “F” are not considered satisfactory grades and are included in the total credit hours attempted.
  • Grades of “TR%”, “EX”, “AU”, and “AC” are included in the total hours attempted and applied towards the completion rate and maximum timeframe.
  • Incomplete grades, “I,” are not included in computing completion rate or maximum time frame. Grades submitted after the end of semester SAP evaluation will be included in the subsequent end of semester evaluation.
  • Learning Support grades are not included in the Satisfactory Academic Progress calculation, however there is a maximum time frame of 30 attempted credits for Learning Support courses.
  • ESOL courses are excluded from Completion Rate calculations.
  • Transfer credits from other schools accepted by Savannah Technical College will be counted toward completion as both hours attempted and hours successfully completed. Grades assigned to transfer credits will not be calculated in the SAP GPA.
  • A transfer student is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress during the first semester of enrollment at the institution.
  • Students required to enroll in Learning Support courses may receive federal aid for up to a maximum of 30 attempted semester credits of Learning Support courses.

Maximum Time Frame (150% Standard)

The maximum timeframe for a student to complete their certificate, diploma or degree and receive federal aid cannot exceed 150% of the published length of their academic program. This timeframe is measured in credit hours. For example, if your program requires 36 credits to graduate, 54 is the maximum attempted credits allowed (36 X 1.5 = 54). If the student has not completed his/her program within the maximum timeframe, financial aid eligibility may be suspended. All enrollment periods are considered including those in which students did not receive federal or state financial aid. Transfer hours that have been accepted by Savannah Technical College from other institutions are included in determining maximum timeframe.

Financial Aid Warning

Financial Aid Warning means that the student is not currently meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for Federal Student Aid. Students are eligible to receive payment of financial aid for one semester in which the student is in a warning status as they work toward completion of their degree programs. If the student is placed on warning, the student should take steps to ensure that he/she is meeting requirements by the end of the warning semester. If a student meets SAP after the term he/she was on warning, the student will be placed in a “Good Standing” financial aid status. If at the end of the warning semester the student still is not meeting SAP requirements, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension status.

An appeal is not required for this status. Students will be notified at their STC student email and in writing when placed on warning status.

Financial Aid Suspension

Any student who fails to meet the criteria of 2.0 cumulative G.P.A. and have a completion rate of 66.66% after two terms is considered to not be making “satisfactory academic progress” and financial aid (including federal and state scholarships/grants) will be terminated for all subsequent terms.

Students will be notified at their STC student email. Students have the right to appeal the suspension and request reinstatement of financial aid eligibility if extenuating circumstances prevented them from being successful.

Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension

If financial aid is suspended, you have the right to appeal the financial suspension and request reinstatement of federal and state financial aid eligibility. You must submit your appeal electronically through your Okta Portal login using the following link https://savannahtech.verifymyfafsa.com page. Please read the instruction carefully and list all required details in your written statement and the required supporting documentation. Requests for appeal without a letter of explanation and supporting documentation will not be considered and automatically denied.

A student may appeal Financial Aid Suspension if the student has an unusual circumstance.

Acceptable circumstances are defined as:

  • the death of an immediate relative (i.e. parents/step-parents, siblings/step-siblings, grandparents/step-grandparents, or other relative living in the household)
  • a serious illness or accident requiring medical intervention
  • significant, unexpected family obligations
  • catastrophic loss (e.g. flood, fire, etc.)
  • extreme personal crisis
  • other extenuating circumstances

If additional documentation is provided for an SAP Appeal (after the student has received a denial decision from the SAP Committee), the student can appeal the SAP Appeals Committee decision to the Director of Financial Aid.

Appropriate Documentation would include but not limited to:

  • A signed personal statement that fully explains a summary of the circumstances that impacted your academic performance
  • two or more letters of support from an objective, non-relative, adult professional that verifies the extraordinary and/or personal circumstances that are the basis for the appeal.

Typically, these letters come from a physician, police officer, teacher, or other professional who has personal, first-hand knowledge of the student’s situation. The letter must be on official letter head and include the professional’s contact information including name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. If there is court documentation regarding a specific situation, this should be submitted as well.

For those students who have exceeded the 150% maximum timeframe only, in addition to the appeal form and written statement, students must meet with their Academic Advisor to obtain a Satisfactory Academic Progress Maximum Timeframe Education Plan outlining the remaining coursework and timeline for completion. Requests for appeal without all documentation will not be considered and automatically denied.

For those students who have exceeded the 150% maximum timeframe and are not meeting the 66.6% overall completion rate and/or 2.0 GPA, in addition to the appeal form and written statement, as well as supporting documentation, students must meet with their Academic Advisor to obtain a Satisfactory Academic Progress Maximum Timeframe Education Plan outlining the remaining coursework and timeline for completion. Requests for appeal without all documentation will not be considered and automatically denied.

The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will consider each appeal on a case-by-case basis. Details of the Appeal Process are outlined on the appeal form. Notification of the committee’s decision will be sent to the student’s Savannah Tech student email.

Financial Aid Probation

Probation is assigned if a student has received an approved SAP Appeal to reinstate financial aid. The student is expected to meet the minimum requirements for SAP at the conclusion of the probation semester. If it is determined that it will take the student more than one term to raise their cumulative GPA to the minimum requirement or raise their completion rate to the required minimum of 66.66% a student will be placed on an academic plan.

Failure to meet the conditions of the probationary status will result in immediate suspension for the subsequent term of enrollment. Suspension notifications are sent to the STC student email.

Denied Appeals

Students (for whom an appeal for financial aid reinstatement is denied) may continue enrollment at Savannah Technical College at their own expense. Students may make payment online or at the Cashier’s Office.

How to Regain Eligibility

Students who have not exceeded the 150% maximum timeframe will automatically regain eligibility once they achieve an overall GPA of 2.0 and have a minimum two-thirds completion rate.

In addition to the Academic Standing and Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, HOPE/Zell Miller Grant and HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship regulations also require that you earn a minimum post-secondary grade point average at established checkpoints.

HOPE Grant and HOPE Career Grant (Formerly Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant) requires a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (grades of “C” or higher) at the 30 and 60 semester hour checkpoints to remain eligible for HOPE Grant funding. The HOPE Grant is capped at a maximum of 63 paid-credit hours.

Zell Miller Grant requires a minimum 3.5 cumulative postsecondary grade point average at the end of each term to remain eligible for Zell Miller Grant funding. The first term of enrollment will be paid retroactively if the student has the required 3.5 cumulative postsecondary GPA at the end of the term.

HOPE Scholarship requires a minimum postsecondary grade point average of 3.0 (grades of “B” or higher) at the 30, 60, and 90 semester hour checkpoints to remain eligible for HOPE Scholarship funding. The HOPE Scholarship is capped at a maximum of 127 paid-credit hours.

Zell Miller Scholarship requires requires a minimum postsecondary grade point average of 3.3 at the 30, 60, and 90 semester hour checkpoints to remain eligible for Zell Miller Scholarship funding. The Zell Miller Scholarship is capped at a maximum of 127 paid-credit hours.

If your financial aid eligibility is suspended, you have the right to appeal. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to appeal for reinstatement of your Federal and State Financial Aid eligibility. All Financial Aid Appeal documentation must be submitted prior to the appeal deadline for the term of anticipated enrollment.

Instructions to Appeal Financial Aid Suspension

Include ALL of the following items (Steps 1-3) in your Appeal Packet. Incomplete packets will not be considered and will be denied.  Submit the COMPLETE Appeal at https://savannahtech.verifymyfafsa.com

Step 1. Personal Statement
Your detailed statement must include the following information. Failure to answer all questions below will result in a rejected SAP Appeal form:

  • Extenuating circumstance(s) such as personal injury or illness, family emergency, death of a close relative, etc. These circumstances must have occurred during specific individual semesters that did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
  • How your situation has changed since the extenuating circumstances occurred; and
  • Steps you have taken to ensure that you will successfully complete all current and future classes.

Students who exceed the 150% Maximum Timeframe – Must Include Satisfactory Academic Progress Maximum Timeframe Education Plan

Be sure to submit the Satisfactory Academic Progress Maximum Timeframe Education Plan outlining remaining courses and timeline for completion as part of your appeal packet. Please contact your academic advisor to obtain the Satisfactory Academic Progress Maximum Timeframe Education Plan.

Step 2. Supporting Documentation of Circumstances
Attach documentation to support your appeal for each individual semester that you did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). An appeal without proper documentation will not be considered. Acceptable documentation includes:

  • Illness: Detailed letter, on letterhead, from physician explaining dates and types of illness, recommended treatment, dates of non-attendance, prognosis, etc.
  • Death of Family Member: Death certificate, obituary notice
  • Legal Issue: Divorce decree, separation agreement, police report detailing incident, date and those involved
  • Job Conflict: Letter from supervisor, on letterhead, stating scheduling problems, etc.
  • Disability: Letter from Special Populations Coordinator addressing problems that arose during the term in question and the resolution for future terms or medical documentation from other outside sources, letter from a doctor, etc.
  • Other: Any other documentation that will support your appeal (letter from faculty, or third-party source)

Step 3. Submit Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension Form/Personal Statement/Supporting Documentation
Submit a completed/signed Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension form at https://savannahtech.verifymyfafsa.com

Complete appeal must be submitted by the SAP Appeal deadline (see website or financial aid office for specific dates).

Notifications of Committee Decision

Students will be notified at their STC student email and by Campus Logic of the committee’s decision.

Approved Appeal

If your appeal is approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee, you will be placed on financial aid probation. The Financial Aid Office will continue to monitor your academic progress to ensure you are meeting the conditions of your probationary status. If you fail to meet the conditions of the probationary status, your eligibility will again be suspended.

Denied Appeal

If your appeal for reinstatement of financial aid is denied, you may continue enrollment at Savannah Technical College at your own expense or through an alternative source. You may use Veteran or Military Education Benefits, or other third-party funding, as well as make payment online or at the Cashier’s Office located in the Campus Shop at each campus location.

Regaining Eligibility

Students who have not exceeded the 150% maximum timeframe will automatically regain eligibility once they achieve an overall GPA of 2.0 and have a minimum two-thirds completion rate.