Financial Aid Warning
A student who does not meet the cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria will be placed on financial aid warning status for one semester. While on a warning status, the student will continue to receive financial aid for which he or she has qualified. This is a warning to the student that he or she must meet the College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress standards (2.0 cumulative GPA and also maintain a cumulative completion rate of 67%) during the next semester of enrollment. NOTE: Students on Probation under the prior standards will be considered on Warning for purposes of these standards. There is no appeal process for this status.
Financial Aid Suspension
If the student does not meet the minimum cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria at the end of his or her warning period, the student will be denied from receiving financial aid until he or she meets the reinstatement requirements* or has an approved Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal from the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
Students placed on financial aid suspension may continue to enroll at the college. However, they must pay their own expenses, to include tuition, fees, room and board, and other college costs.
*NOTE Students placed on a suspension status for financial aid will be required to contact a financial aid advisor who can be emailed at financial.aid@ctcd.edu.
Financial Aid Maximum Timeframe
Maximum Timeframe (MAX)-Students who have attempted 150 percent of the allowed number of credit hours will become ineligible to receive additional financial aid disbursements for hours in excess of the 150 percent maximum regardless of their semester/cumulative GPA, and regardless of whether or not financial aid was received during previous semesters. Withdrawals, incompletes, transfer in hours (officially evaluated on the active program), and failure grades will count as attempted coursework credit hours in determining 150 percent of allowed number of credit hours for the active program of study. Students are advised to work with their academic advisor to “stay on target” to complete educational goals. An appeal may be approved case by case as long as the student is otherwise meeting overall standards.
Reinstatement of Eligibility
Financial aid eligibility will be reinstated after a student meets the Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria listed above, for cumulative completion rate (67 %) and cumulative grade point average (2.0) or has an approved appeal. Financial aid will not be reinstated for violations of Quantitative Standards or Qualitative Standards until the appeal has been approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Students who regain eligibility by completing the required coursework must notify the Financial Aid Office in order to have their progress reevaluated.
Academic Amnesty
The Federal Student Aid program regulations make no provision for the concept of academic amnesty, academic renewal or academic fresh start. Therefore, a school must always include courses (whenever taken) in evaluating a student’s satisfactory academic progress.
Appeal Process
All appeals must adequately describe the circumstance(s) that prevented the student from maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), provide any available supporting documentation, and explain what steps the student intends to take to maintain SAP in the future.
Due to the comprehensive nature of the appeal process, it can take up to 30 days for a decision to be made on your appeal. Students are still responsible for paying their balance with CTC while their appeal is under review. CTC also has payment plans available.
Financial Aid SAP Appeals cannot be retroactively approved for a semester that has ended. In order to allow sufficient time for appeal review before the semester’s end, our office suggests that students submit the appeal before these dates.
- Fall Semester – October 30
- Spring Semester – March 30
- Summer Semester – June 30
Central Texas College recognizes that students sometimes encounter circumstances beyond their control that can adversely affect their academic progress. Any student subject to suspension of financial aid eligibility may appeal to the Financial Aid Office for a review of the decision. It is the responsibility of the student to successfully complete all classes enrolled. Please remember that dropping a class, failing a class, or withdrawing from class is a personal decision made by the student and may negatively impact their overall Satisfactory Academic Program as stated earlier in this section.
All appeal documents must be attached to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form that can be obtained through eForms. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. If an appeal is approved, the committee will impose enrollment restrictions on the student for the best chance of academic success. The enrollment restrictions are that at a minimum the student is required to pass all remaining courses successfully (grade of “C” or higher) and not have any withdrawals for the semester (or the student’s next semester of enrollment) the appeal is approved. Any student that fails to meet this requirement will lose his/her future financial aid eligibility.
Please note: The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review the appeal and the student will be notified by email after the appeal decision has been made. All documents pertinent to the appeals process become part of the student’s financial aid record. If the petition is denied, the student has the right to request that the appeal decision be reconsidered by the Associate Dean, Financial Aid/VA. This appeal must be turned in within 10 days of receiving notification of the decision denying the appeal. The decision of the Associate Dean is final.
NOTE Reasons such as being unprepared for college course work, the course was not what was expected, not liking the instructor and other related excuses are NOT qualifying circumstances for an appeal and will result in an appeal being denied. Students are responsible for monitoring their own progress status. The Financial Aid office makes every attempt to notify students of their status however failure to receive notice does not affect the calculated status and is not reason to appeal. Please ensure that home and email addresses are updated with Admissions and Records Department.