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Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial Aid Standards of Academic Progress

All students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to receive financial aid at LSCS. Federal
regulations require all financial aid recipients to maintain SAP in a course of study leading toward a college degree,
certificate, or educational objective. Federal guidelines stipulate that this policy applies to all enrollment periods
at LSCS, regardless of whether or not the recipient was receiving financial aid at the time. Students will be denied
financial aid for failure to meet SAP requirements. If extenuating circumstances led to noncompliance, students
may submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Office for consideration. Lone Star College System's policy is designed
to encourage students to improve their academic performance.

Calculating SAP
SAP includes both qualitative and quantitative components. Qualitative refers to cumulative grade point average.
Quantitative includes earned credits, maximum time and remedial course work. We evaluate progress every year
that a student applies for financial aid. Progress will be reviews prior to awarding any financial aid. If the student is
receiving Federal Family Education Loans, progress must be reviewed by the Financial Aid Office at the time of
each disbursement. Financial aid denials are effective immediately.

Grade Point Average
Financial aid recipients must maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA to retain financial aid
eligibility. Only courses taken at LSCS will be used in the LSCS cumulative GPA
calculation.

Earned Credits
Students must successfully complete at least 70% of their cumulative attempted hours.
This calculation is performed by dividing the number of credit hours earned (completed)
by the number of credit hours attempted. Successful completion results in grades of: A,
B, C and sometimes D. Unsuccessful completion results in grades of W, I, IP, and/or F.
Repeated courses and courses for which the student has been granted Academic Fresh
Start at LSCS will be used in calculating the 70%.

Maximum Time
Students may not receive financial aid for more than 150% of the attempted hours of
the normal credits required for a certificate, degree, or educational objective. Students
must declare an educational objective other than "undecided" and must be taking
courses that apply to that degree, certificate, or educational objective. Students who
graduate from a program must declare a new educational objective and begin taking
courses that apply to the new educational objective. Courses taken under the
completed educational objective will count towards the maximum time frame of the
new educational objective. If students change educational objectives, all courses taken
under previous educational objectives will count towards the maximum time frame of
the new educational objective. Credit hours previously earned at another institution
that are accepted by LSCS will be counted toward the maximum time frame at LSCS.

Remedial Course
Students will be evaluated for progress based on their ability to complete remedial
course work within maximum time frame at LSCS. Students who have attempted more
than 30 credit hours of remedial course work will be subject to a suspension status for
financial aid at LSCS. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are excluded from the
remedial course work maximum time frame and from the 150% maximum time frame.
Note: Some financial aid programs (e.g., TEXAS Grant programs) have more stringent requirements than described
in this policy. Contact the Financial Aid Department for more information.

Understanding Standards of Academic Progress Status

Eligible The student has no SAP related issues.
Probation If a student is placed on financial aid probation, progress may be reviewed by the Financial Aid
Department every semester. If a student is placed on probation, he/she will receive notification
of their status upon review of satisfactory academic progress. The student may continue to
receive financial aid during their probation period; however, they will be warned that a
continued lack of academic progress may result in the suspension of financial aid.
Suspension Financial aid recipients who have been placed on a suspension status are no longer eligible for
financial aid. If a student is placed on probation, he/she will receive notification of their status
upon review of satisfactory academic progress. Students do have the right to appeal this
decision to the Financial Aid Office.

Appeals Process

If mitigating circumstances contributed to the student's failure to meet SAP requirements, students may submit an
appeal for consideration. Appeals should be submitted in accordance with appeals guidelines.

Mitigating or extenuating circumstances may include:
1. Illness
2. Death in the family
3. Family problems (e.g., parents' separation or divorce)
To ensure consideration, submit the appeal form and supporting documentation within 30 days of the date of the
denial letter. Contact the Financial Aid Department for more information on filing an appeal.

Appeal Decision
Appeals will be reviewed within 30 days of receipt and students will be notified in writing of LSCS's decision. If the
appeal is granted and all paperwork has been submitted and processed, financial aid will be awarded. Students
whose appeals are denied may choose to appeal the decision made by the financial aid office. The decision made
by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee is final. Contact the financial aid office for information on filing a second
appeal.