Evaluation of SAP will be made after grades are posted at the end of each semester and prior to aid being disbursed for a subsequent semester for which a student is enrolled at either of the Colleges. 

Grade symbols and their effect on measuring progress:

•  Credits with satisfactory grades at CLPCCD are those for which a grade of A, B, C, D, CR or P is earned.   
• Courses completed with an F, I, NC, NP, IP, W or RD are not considered acceptable for satisfactory academic progress. 
• Grade symbols of A, B, C, D or F will be used in grade point average calculation. 
• Courses completed with a CR, P, I, NC, NP, IP, W or RD will not be used in grade point average calculation. However, please note that non-passing grades which are not used to determine grade point average still must be used to determine minimum unit requirements. Additionally, even though a "D" is considered a passing grade, the total GPA must not fall below 2.00.

Ineligibility for financial aid does not prevent students from enrolling in classes if they are otherwise eligible to continue their enrollment.  Unless extenuating circumstances exist and an appeal is approved (see "IV. Appeals" for additional information), a student on financial aid disqualification should expect to continue classes at his or her own expense until all satisfactory academic progress requirements are again met.

A. Qualitative Standards

Cumulative GPA Requirements (GPA Rule):  In order to remain eligible for financial aid consideration, students must meet cumulative grade point average requirements of 2.00.  All credits attempted at Chabot or Las Positas Colleges are included. All credits included from prior colleges are included in the GPA calculation. Official transcripts are required.

B. Quantitative Standards or Pace of Completion

Completion Rate (67% Rule):  Students must, at a minimum, maintain a 67% cumulative completion rate.  This calculation is performed by dividing the total number of successfully completed credits by the total number of credits attempted. All credits attempted at Chabot or Las Positas Colleges are included. All credits included from prior colleges count as both attempted and successfully completed credits. Official Transcripts are required.   

Maximum Time Frame Allowed (150% Rule):  A student is considered for federal financial aid funding for a period of time no longer than 150% of the school's published program length. CLPCCD measures the progress of all students in attempted semester units. An attempted unit is defined as any unit the student remains enrolled in AFTER the add/drop period. ESL (English as a Second Language) courses and up to 30 units of remedial or basic skills courses may be excluded from the 150% limit. 

A student enrolled in an A.A./A.S. or transfer program may be eligible for financial aid for a maximum of 90 attempted semester units to complete his/her program.  A student enrolled in a Certificate Program may be eligible for financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the published length of that program (measured in units) according to each College Catalog. Once this limit has been reached, a student is ineligible for further financial aid. The maximum time frame includes units attempted within CLPCCD during all periods of enrollment, regardless of whether a student applied for or received financial aid.  The maximum time frame also includes units earned at other colleges or universities that could be applied toward a program of study at CLPCCD. If the student's total attempted units equal or exceed the maximum time frame of 150%, the student is disqualified, and no longer eligible for financial aid at Chabot or Las Positas.   

Credit from Prior Colleges:   All official transcripts will be reviewed for credits that may be applied toward a program of study at CLPCCD, and included in the calculation of maximum time frame (150%) and completion rate. Official Transcripts will be required when a student has a Bachelor's degree, a Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) of 450% or greater, when selected for Unusual Enrollment History (UEH), for an appeal or loan consideration, or if requested from Financial Aid Office during review of eligibility at their discretion.  

ESL and Remedial/Basic Skills Courses:  Students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 30 semester units of Basic Skills courses as long as the courses are required as a result of placement testing, the student is in an eligible program of study, and SAP requirements continue to be met.  ESL credits are unlimited in number as long as they are taken as part of an eligible program and SAP requirements continue to be met. Student must demonstrate successful progress toward completion of a degree.

Additional Considerations for Quantitative or Pace of Completion Standards

• Loan borrowers must remain enrolled in at least 6 units during every term they request a student loan.  Students who drop below 6 units in a term will not receive any undisbursed loans.  In addition to meeting all SAP requirements, all loan students must successfully complete a minimum of 6 units every term.  If they are not successful, their situation will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine if they will be eligible to receive any subsequent loans or other financial aid.
•  Withdrawals (W grades) that are recorded on the student's permanent academic transcript will be included as credits attempted and will have an adverse effect on the student's ability to meet the requirements of the completion rate for financial aid.

Incomplete Grades:  Courses that are assigned an incomplete grade are included in cumulative credits attempted but not in calculation of GPA.  These cannot be used as credits earned in the progress standard until a successful grade is assigned. Students previously on Warning, Probation, or Disqualified must complete any coursework needed to receive a letter grade BEFORE they can be considered for additional aid.

A. Financial Aid Progress (PROG) –

Students who are meeting all aspects of the SAP policy and are making progress toward completion of their primary program of study.

B. Financial Aid Warning Status (WARN) –

Students who fail to meet SAP requirements of cumulative GPA or 67% Completion Rate for the first time will be automatically placed in a Warning Status for one (1) term. They are expected to meet SAP requirements by the end of that term, or will be placed on financial aid suspension.

C. Disqualified Status (DISQ) –

Students who fail to meet SAP requirements of 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA or 67% Completion Rate following the Warning term will automatically be disqualified and ineligible to receive financial aid. A student who withdraws or receives an “F”, “I”, “IP”, “NC”, OR “NGR” in all his/her classes will automatically be disqualified if s/he received any financial aid, regardless of whether or not the withdrawal occurred during the “Grade of No Record” period of the semester, or shows up on an academic transcript. Repayment of funds may be required. Students are expected to successfully meet SAP requirements on their own prior to being considered again for financial aid.

D. Automatic Disqualified Status (AUTDIS) -

A student who withdraws or receives an “F”, “I”, “IP”, “NC”, OR “NGR” in all classes will automatically be disqualified if they received any financial aid, regardless of whether or not the withdrawal occurred during the “No Grade of Record” period of the semester, or shows up on an academic transcript. Repayment of funds may be required. Students on AUTDIS must complete a term without financial aid in which they demonstrate having earned at least 6 units with a minimum 67% term completion rate and 2.0 term GPA and must meet cumulative SAP requirements before regaining eligibility for Financial Aid. Appeals will only be accepted in verifiable extraordinary circumstances such as medical, hospitalization or documented death of a family member.

E. Financial Aid Probation Status (PRBTN) –

Students who have successfully appealed financial aid disqualification are placed in Probation Status. Students in Probation Status are eligible to receive financial aid for one (1) semester, after which they must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Students who do not meet SAP at the end of their Probation Status term will be disqualified from receiving financial aid until their cumulative completion rate is above 67% and cumulative GPA is above 2.0. Probation students who do not meet cumulative 67% unit completion rate and cumulative grade point average standards, or who fail to meet any other specified conditional requirements of an approved appeal will be disqualified. Appeals for a probationary student will only be accepted in verifiable extraordinary circumstances such as a lengthy hospital stay or documented death of a family member.

F. Excessive Unit Disqualfication (DISUNT) -

Students who have attempted 150% of the published number of units for their declared certificate, associate or transfer program are no longer eligible to receive federal and most forms of state aid and are disqualified due to having reached the maximum timeframe for financial aid. Such students have the right to submit an Excessive Units petition to request an extension of financial aid. An Excessive Units Petition will not be granted if the student does not have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA and cumulative 67% completion rate at the time of appeal.

G.Excessive Unit Probation 1,2,3, or 4 (EPRBT1,2,3 or 4)

Student’s Excessive Unit Petition has been approved and student is eligible for aid for the number of terms indicated. Student is expected to meet SAP requirements each term.

1. Students who do not meet GPA and/or 67% completion rate requirements while on WARNING status or students who earn 0 units with a 0 GPA for the term are Disqualified and will be immediately ineligible for financial aid. Students are expected to successfully meet SAP requirements on their own prior to being considered again for financial aid, by completing at least 6 academic units with a cumulative 67% completion rate with a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in a single semester.
2. A student who has exceeded the 150% rule cannot regain eligibility on their own for financial aid.  
3. If there are extenuating circumstances, student may appeal.  (see IV. Appeals)

1. Under certain circumstances, students who fail to meet SAP standards and lose eligibility for financial aid may appeal the financial aid disqualification. An appeal process is not required by the Department of Education and is at the discretion of the colleges. Students must clearly state what caused the problem and must also clearly indicate what has changed that will now allow the student to succeed.
   Appeals may be considered if: 
   1. A disqualified student has documented and verifiable extenuating circumstances that have now been addressed so the student may successfully complete his or her program of study.
   2.  A disqualified student has documented and verifiable extraordinary extenuating circumstances  (e.g., student's serious illness or accident; death, accident or serious illness in the immediate family; other mitigating circumstances)
   3. The student who is disqualified and may have not yet met cumulative SAP requirements, but has, during disqualification, enrolled in and successfully completed at least six (6) academic semester credits at the College with a minimum semester GPA of 2.00 and a minimum completion rate of 67%
   4. Student withdrew in the past due to Military Service (earned WM, withdrawal for military service). 
   5. Student may be allowed a maximum of two reinstatement appeals while attending CLPCCD.  All appeal decisions are final.  
2. Students appealing disqualification must:
   1. Read, complete and sign the appeal form. 
   2. Attach documentation to support your appeal. Documentation should be from a verifiable third party (i.e. legal/court paperwork, doctor, counselor/therapist, school, clergy, or other independent source of information), on their letterhead. Information or letters of support from family, friends, or not on a professional’s letterhead will typically not be acceptable documentation. 
   3. Attach a current Student Educational Plan (SEP). The SEP may or should show what classes have already been completed toward your degree objective, but must show what classes are required to complete your degree objective, and must be signed and dated by your Academic Counselor. 
   4. Official academic transcripts from all prior colleges, regardless of whether or not you plan to transfer in units to a Chabot degree. Official transcripts will be evaluated for incoming units to Chabot degree, and/or academic history or pattern. Failure to provide will only delay review of your appeal. 
3. Only completed appeal submissions with documentation, will be evaluated by the Financial Aid Office.  The decision is final. Depending on the circumstances, the student could be required to complete additional requirements (i.e., meet with a counselor to develop an Ed Plan for completion, limit enrollment, take an assessment test, etc.) before an appeal is granted.  The goal is to help the student get back on track for graduation. The reasonableness of the student's ability for improvement to again meet SAP standards and complete the student's program of study will be carefully considered. Appeals will be approved or denied or may be conditional.  Students who have appeals approved will be in probationary status for the coming term.

• During the warning period, you remain eligible for financial aid but must meet SAP standards by the end of the semester. If you do not, you’ll be placed on disqualification.

• Yes, if you improve your GPA and/or pace to meet SAP standards without financial aid, you may regain eligibility. Alternatively, you may file an appeal if there were extenuating circumstances.

• Typically, students are allowed one appeal per academic year. However, exceptions may be made for significant documented extenuating circumstances.

• If you exceed 150% of the published program length, you may appeal if you have extenuating circumstances or if additional units are required to complete your program.

• Yes, SAP calculations include all attempted coursework, including terms when you were not receiving financial aid.