Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, Financial Aid Office

Satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid eligibility effective July 1, 2021, for all full-time and part-time undergraduate degree candidates

Overview

For purposes of determining student eligibility for financial assistance under Title IV Higher Education Acts (HEA) programs, the College establishes, publishes, and applies satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards that meet all federal requirements. To be eligible to receive federal financial aid, a student is required to maintain satisfactory academic progress in their course of study according to the College’s published standards. SAP standards are based on cumulative measures of a student’s progress toward degree completion. The Financial Aid Office is responsible for ensuring that all students who receive financial aid meet these standards.

To be eligible to receive institutional funds, a student also is required to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion. For additional information regarding institutional funds eligibility, a student should contact the Financial Aid Office.

It is important to note that SAP standards are separate from, and in addition to, the academic standing policy established by the faculty of the College. The Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) and IDP Council (IDPC) are responsible for ensuring that all traditional and IDP degree candidates, respectively, meet the College’s academic standing requirements. For additional information regarding academic standing requirements, students should refer to the Academic Discipline section of the Bulletin or the Student Handbook.

Sections included in this policy are:

• Overview

• SAP Standards

• Relevant SAP Definitions

• Appeals

• Regaining Eligibility

A printed copy of this SAP policy will be provided upon request.

SAP Standards

Federal regulations require that the College’s SAP policy contains reasonable standards for measuring whether an otherwise eligible financial aid student is maintaining satisfactory progress in their educational program. An institution’s standards are considered to be reasonable if the standards:

1. are the same as or stricter than the institution’s standards for a student enrolled in the educational program who is not receiving assistance under a Title IV HEA program; Trinity’s SAP standards, therefore, must be the same as or stricter than the College’s good academic standing requirements listed in the Student Handbook. A calculation confirming that Trinity’s SAP standards are the same as or stricter than the College’s good academic standing requirements is on file with the Financial Aid Office.

include the following elements:

a. Qualitative standard: The College measures a student’s progression toward degree completion using a fixed grade point standard on a 4.0 grade point average scale.

i. For an admitted student who began enrollment prior to July 1, 2013: To be eligible to receive federal, state, and institutional financial assistance, a student is required to maintain a cumulative 1.667 GPA at the end of each semester of enrollment.

ii. Minimum cumulative GPA = 1.667 at the end of every term of enrollment.

iii. Federal regulations further specify that “a student is making SAP if, at the end of the second year, the student has a grade point average of at least a C or its equivalent or has academic standing consistent with the institution’s requirements for graduation.” Since the College’s requirement for graduation is attainment of a C- or a 1.667 for a student who began enrollment prior to July 1, 2013, the College’s qualitative standard satisfies federal requirements.

iv. For an admitted student who began enrollment after July 1, 2013: To be eligible to receive federal, state, and institutional financial assistance, a student is required to maintain a cumulative GPA at the end of each semester of enrollment as follows:

(1) Minimum cumulative GPA = 1.667 at the end of the first term of enrollment;

(2) Minimum cumulative GPA = 2.000 at the end of the second and every subsequent term of enrollment.

v. Federal regulations further specify that “a student is making SAP if, at the end of the second year, the student has a grade point average of at least a C or its equivalent or has academic standing consistent with the institution’s requirements for graduation.” Since the College’s requirement for graduation is attainment of a C or a 2.000 for a student who began/begins enrollment after July 1, 2013, the College’s qualitative standard satisfies federal requirements.

b. Quantitative standard: The College also measures a student’s progression toward degree completion based on a quantitative scale that consists of a maximum timeframe in which a student must complete their degree. The quantitative standard includes:

i. Maximum time frame: The College defines maximum time frame as 150 percent of the published length of the education program in attempted credits.

ii. Maximum time frame = 54 attempted credits (150 percent x 36 credits).

iii. To be eligible to receive federal, state, and institutional financial assistance, a student is required to complete their degree requirements within the maximum time frame of 54 attempted credits.

iv. This maximum time frame of 54 attempted credits is a standard applicable to federal aid eligibility and not to Trinity grant funds. College policy limits the maximum number of terms for which a student may receive institutional grant assistance based on their enrollment status and the number of transfer credits accepted by the College. For additional information regarding institutional funds eligibility, a student should contact the Financial Aid Office.

v. Increments: College policy divides the maximum time frame into equal periods of enrollment known as semesters or terms.

vi. Pace: The College has established a schedule designating the minimum percentage of work, known as pace, that a student must successfully complete at the end of each semester to complete their degree within the maximum time frame. Pace is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of credits that the student has successfully completed by the cumulative number of credits that the student has attempted.

vii. Pace = cumulative number of credits successfully completed/cumulative number of credits attempted. To be eligible to receive federal, state, and institutional financial assistance, a student is required to successfully complete a minimum of 80 percent of all attempted credits.

viii. Minimum pace = 80 percent.

Relevant SAP Definitions

Pace

A student’s pace is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of credits successfully completed by the cumulative number of credits attempted. College policy defines the following terms for the calculation of pace and review of credits counted toward the maximum time frame of 54 attempted credits:

Credits Successfully Completed

Credits successfully completed include all courses for which a student receives a passing grade of D- or better, pass, or low pass. In addition, all transfer credits are counted as credits successfully completed.

Credits Attempted

Credits attempted include all courses for which a student receives a passing grade of D- or better, pass, low pass, incomplete, W, F, or NGR. In addition, all transfer credits are counted as credits attempted. All credits attempted must be counted toward the maximum time frame.

Incompletes

All courses for which a student receives a provisional designation of incomplete must be counted toward the maximum time frame and included in the calculation of a student’s pace.

Withdrawals

All courses for which a student receives a W on the permanent record must be counted toward the maximum time frame and included in the calculation of a student’s pace.

Remedial Courses (noncredit)

Remedial courses are not offered or accepted at the College. Therefore, remedial courses are not counted toward the maximum time frame and are not included in the calculation of a student’s pace.

Repeated Courses

All repeated courses must be counted toward the maximum time frame and included in the calculation of a student’s pace. Repeated courses for which a student receives additional credit (e.g., topics, independent studies, music lessons, etc.) are counted in the cumulative number of successfully completed and attempted credits. Repeated courses for which a student does not receive additional credit are not counted in the cumulative number of successfully completed but are counted in the cumulative number of attempted credits.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

ESL courses are not offered or accepted at the College. Therefore, ESL courses are not counted toward the maximum time frame and are not included in the calculation of a student’s pace.

Test-Based Credits (e.g., CLEP)

Test-based credits are not offered or accepted at the College. Therefore, test-based credits are not counted toward the maximum time frame and are not included in the calculation of a student’s pace.

Transfer Credits

All pre-matriculation (including AP credits) and post-matriculation transfer credits must be counted toward the maximum time frame and included in the calculation of a student’s pace. Transfer credits are counted in the cumulative number of successfully completed and attempted credits.

Transfer credits are not counted in the calculation of a student’s GPA.

Second Majors

A student who elects to declare a second major must complete all degree requirements within the maximum time frame. Credits applicable to second majors are included in the calculation of a student’s pace.

Additional Degrees

A student pursuing a second undergraduate degree at the College is only eligible to receive federal Stafford loans. All credits applicable to the second degree are counted toward the maximum time frame and included in the calculation of a student’s pace.

SAP Reviews

At the end of each semester (fall, spring, and summer), normally within two to four weeks of grade posting, the record of each financial aid applicant enrolled in that semester is reviewed to determine if the applicant is making satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion. The review includes a determination as to whether the student has met the cumulative qualitative and quantitative standards set forth in the College’s SAP policy. Specifically included in the review is a measurement of the student’s pace to ensure that the student will complete the program within the maximum time frame of 54 attempted credits.

Students will be notified in writing of the results of an evaluation that impacts the student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial assistance. SAP reviews will result in a student being placed on one of the following statuses:

Good Financial Aid Standing

A student who has met the SAP qualitative and quantitative standards listed above is making satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion. This student is in good financial aid standing with the College and is eligible to receive assistance under federal Title IV, state, and institutional financial aid programs during the next semester of enrollment, providing the student remains in good academic standing with the College and meets all other program requirements.

Financial Aid Warning

The first time a student has not met all SAP qualitative and quantitative standards listed above, the student will be placed on financial aid warning. This student is not making satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion and must repair the deficiencies during the next term of enrollment. A student on financial aid warning may continue to receive assistance under federal Title IV, state, and institutional financial aid programs during the next semester, providing the student remains in good academic standing with the College and meets all other program requirements. The financial aid warning status will be assigned automatically without an appeal or other action required by the student.

A student cannot be placed on two consecutive terms of financial aid warning; a student must return to good financial aid standing by the end of the financial aid warning period to remain eligible to receive financial aid. A student who has returned to good financial aid standing but later does not meet SAP standards can be placed on a second term of financial aid warning.

Financial Aid Probation

A student on financial aid warning who has not met all SAP qualitative and quantitative standards by the end of the next semester of enrollment is no longer eligible to receive assistance under federal Title IV, state, and institutional financial aid programs unless the student has an approved SAP appeal on file with the Financial Aid Office. All SAP appeals must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office according to the process outlined in the Appeals section of this policy. If an appeal is approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation. A student on financial aid probation is eligible to receive assistance under federal Title IV, state, and institutional financial aid programs during the next semester of enrollment, providing the student remains in good academic standing with the College and meets all other program requirements.

Financial Aid Suspension

A student on financial aid warning who has not met all SAP qualitative and

quantitative standards by the end of the next semester of enrollment and who does not have an approved appeal on file with the Financial Aid Office is no longer eligible to receive assistance under federal Title IV, state, and institutional financial aid programs. This student will be placed on financial aid suspension and will be required to make up all SAP deficiencies to regain eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.

Appeals

As stated above, a student on financial aid warning who has not met the SAP standards by the end of the next semester of enrollment is no longer eligible to receive financial aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension. If mitigating circumstances prevented the student from meeting the requirements, a student may appeal to have their eligibility reinstated for one term of financial aid probation. Such circumstances would include:

1. The death of a relative;

2. An injury of the student;

3. An illness of the student; or

4. Other special circumstances.

A student who wishes to appeal their financial aid suspension must adhere to the following procedures:

1. Complete and sign an SAP appeal form;

2. Attach supporting documentation to the SAP appeal form; and

3. Submit the SAP appeal form with documentation to the Financial Aid Office according to the deadline schedule listed on the form.

Submitting an SAP appeal does not guarantee approval or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.

Decisions are made after a careful evaluation of the student’s unique circumstances, federal Title IV requirements, and College policy. In some cases, it may be necessary for the Financial Aid Office to consult with the AAC or IDPC before appeal decisions can be made. Notification will be sent in writing to the student as to the outcome of the appeal review. SAP appeal reviews will result in one of the following outcomes:

Not Approved

A student whose SAP appeal is not approved will remain on financial aid suspension and will not be eligible to receive financial aid until all SAP deficiencies have been repaired (See Regaining Eligibility).

Approved with Probation

A student whose SAP appeal is approved with probation will be placed on financial aid probation and is eligible to receive financial aid during the next semester of enrollment, provided the student remains in good academic standing with the College and meets all other program requirements.

A student on financial aid probation may be required to fulfill specific terms and conditions, such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses. A student on financial aid probation must repair all SAP deficiencies during the next term of enrollment to remain eligible for financial aid.

Approved with an Academic Plan

In some cases, it may be mathematically impossible for a student to repair their SAP deficiencies with one term of enrollment. In such cases, a student’s SAP appeal may be approved with an academic plan to restore SAP deficiencies over more than one term. The student should work with the AAC and the IDPC to develop an academic plan with the student that, if followed, will ensure that the student is able to meet the College’s SAP standards by a specific point in time. The academic plan may require the student to fulfill specific terms and conditions, such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses. This plan must be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office.

A student on an approved academic plan is eligible to receive financial aid during the next semester of enrollment and each subsequent term of enrollment, provided the student meets the SAP standards outlined in the student’s specific academic plan. The student must remain in good academic standing with the College and meet all other program requirements.

Regaining Eligibility

A student who has been placed on financial aid suspension may reestablish their eligibility to receive federal, state, and institutional financial assistance by one of the three paths described below:

i. The student successfully appeals the suspension and is approved for a term of financial aid probation or approved with an academic plan.

ii. The student meets the minimum SAP quantitative and qualitative standards by completing a course(s) at the College without receiving financial assistance. To enroll in a course(s) at the College, all traditional and IDP students must meet the academic standing requirements of the College as overseen by the AAC and IDPC, respectively.

iii. The student meets the minimum SAP quantitative and qualitative standards by completing a course(s) at another institution without receiving financial assistance. A student who wishes to take a course(s) at another institution must receive prior approval according to College policy. The following explains the impact of transfer credits on SAP standards:

a. Impact of transfer credits on SAP quantitative standards:

All transfer credits must be counted toward the maximum time frame and included in the calculation of a student’s pace. Transfer credits are counted in the cumulative number of successfully completed and attempted credits.

b. Impact of transfer credits on SAP qualitative standard (GPA): According to College policy, post-matriculation transfer grades will be indicated on the transcript but will not be included in calculations of grade point average, rank in class, or other academic standings. Therefore, a student will not be able to repair the SAP qualitative standard by completing a course(s) at another institution. A student who needs to restore their GPA to the minimum SAP standard will need to enroll in a course(s) at Trinity without receiving financial assistance or to successfully appeal their financial aid suspension. However, transfer grades may be considered when reviewing and approving SAP appeals.

Section II. Financial Policies

Payment of College Bills

Schedule of College Fees 2025-2026

Study Away and Other Financial Information

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, Financial Aid Office

Trinity College Refund Policy