Emerald Coast Technical College (ECTC) is required by federal regulations to establish and enforce minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students receiving federal financial aid. SAP is evaluated at the end of each payment period for all students receiving Title IV financial aid.

SAP Standards

Students must meet all of the following standards to remain eligible for federal financial aid:

1. Qualitative Standard (Grades)

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C average). Failed courses must be successfully repeated in accordance with program requirements.

2. Quantitative Standard (Pace of Progression)

Students must successfully complete at least 67% of cumulative clock hours attempted.

Attempted hours include all hours:

• Completed

• Failed

• Repeated

• Withdrawn

Pace is calculated on a cumulative basis, not per payment period.

3. Maximum Timeframe

Students must complete their program within 150% of the published program length.

Example: A 900-clock-hour program must be completed within 1,350 attempted clock hours.

• Students who fail to meet SAP standards for the first time will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one payment period.

  • Students on Financial Aid Warning remain eligible to receive federal financial aid during the warning period.

  • SAP is re-evaluated at the end of the warning payment period.

Students who fail to meet SAP standards by the end of the Financial Aid Warning period will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

• Students on Financial Aid Suspension are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.

• Eligibility may be regained by meeting SAP standards or through an approved appeal.

Students are notified in writing of any change to their SAP status and financial aid eligibility.

Students placed on Financial Aid Suspension may submit a written SAP appeal if extenuating circumstances prevented them from meeting SAP standards.

Examples of extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Serious illness or injury

• Death of an immediate family member

• Other documented circumstances beyond the student’s control

Appeals must include:

• A written explanation of the circumstances

• Supporting documentation

• A statement explaining how the issue has been resolved and how the student will meet SAP standards moving forward

Appeals are reviewed by the Financial Aid Office.

If a SAP appeal is approved, the student may be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one payment period.

• Students on Financial Aid Probation remain eligible for federal financial aid during the probationary period.

• An academic plan may be required to outline specific conditions the student must meet to regain SAP.

SAP is evaluated at the end of the probationary payment period.

Regaining Eligibility

Students may regain eligibility for federal financial aid by:

• Meeting all SAP standards without federal aid, or

• Successfully completing the requirements of an approved academic plan

Students are responsible for maintaining SAP and monitoring their progress throughout enrollment.

This SAP policy applies to all students receiving federal financial aid at Emerald Coast Technical College. SAP standards are applied consistently and in accordance with federal regulations.

For questions regarding SAP status, appeals, or eligibility, students should contact the Financial Aid Office.