Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Mount Carmel College of Nursing Participates in Title IV Student Aid Programs. Regardless of Full Time or Part Time status, Degree or Diploma program, or Financial Aid support level, all students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) while enrolled at the college. These standards take steps to fulfill federal financial aid requirements.

Maintaining SAP

To maintain SAP, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) 

  • Students must achieve and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (equivalent to 70%) at each SAP evaluation point. 

  • Pace of Completion (POC) 

    • Students must maintain a minimum Pace of Completion rate of 67% for all programs. 

    • POC is calculated by dividing the total number of credits earned by the total number of credits attempted. Only credits required in the student’s official program of study are included in this calculation. This includes accepted transfer credits from approved institutions as well as any proficiency credits earned. 

    • The CGPA and POC are reviewed at the end of each grading period, once final grades have been posted, to determine whether the student is making satisfactory academic progress. For part-time students, POC is evaluated in accordance with their program’s part-time progression requirements. 

• Maximum Timeframe (MTF) 

  • Students are required to complete their program within a defined maximum timeframe for graduation

• Transfer Credit on SAP

  • Transfer credit awarded by the college has no effect on CGPA calculations for SAP but does affect the Pace of Completion Calculation.

  • Transfer Credits are included in maximum time frame calculations.

• Program Change on SAP

  • Students who change programs will only have credits and final grades that are applicable to the new program (including transfer credits) calculated in SAP and maximum time frame.

  • Any credits previously taken and not part of the student’s new program of study will not be used in the calculation.

• Effect of Grade Change on SAP

  • In the event a grade change is submitted outside the normal grade change period, a recalculation of SAP may be performed.

SAP Warning

1. 1. If a student has not met the minimum SAP requirements, the student will be placed on SAP Warning.

2. SAP Warning letter will be mailed or emailed to the student which informs the student that s/he did not maintain satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of his/her program of study during the most recently completed payment period or semester. 

3. The student will be referred to the Student Success Center for academic progress. 

4. The student will then be given an advising form indicating risk of probation, how long the status will last, and the conditions to be met to avoid being placed on SAP Probation. The letter also informs the student that s/he is eligible to receive financial aid (if applicable) for the next payment period or semester. However, if the student fails to make satisfactory progress by the end of that payment period or semester, s/he will be placed on SAP Probation & lose financial aid eligibility.

SAP Probation

1. If a student fails to meet the minimum SAP requirements for either two consecutive payment periods or two consecutive semesters, the student will be placed on SAP Probation.

2. If the student is a financial aid recipient, financial aid is suspended at that time.

3. SAP Maximum Probation Periods

   1. An undergraduate student may remain on academic probation no longer than two semesters.

   2. Graduate and Certificate level students may only stay on probation for one semester/payment period.

   3. All students placed on SAP Probation will develop a remediation plan with the assistance of their advisor and/or student success center advisor. All remediation plans include specific outcomes & a timeline. SAP Probation letter will be sent to the student notifying him/her that s/he is not making satisfactory progress towards completion of his/her program of study.

      • • The letter will also provide the student with instructions on how to appeal the suspension of financial aid eligibility (if applicable), as well as the deadline for submitting the appeal.

   4. Appealing Suspension of Financial Aid Eligibility (if applicable)

      • • Students have the right to appeal the suspension of financial aid eligibility within 10 days from the date on the SAP Probation letter.

        • The appeal form is available in the Registrar’s Office or Academic Advisor.

        • The appeal should include an explanation, & supporting documentation, of any circumstances that prevented the student from maintaining SAP throughout the semesters in question. Examples of such circumstances are:

          • • Death of a relative of the student.

            • Severe personal injury or illness of the student.

            • Extraordinary circumstances that have a causal link to the deterioration in academic performance.

        • The appeal will be reviewed by a minimum of two members of the Satisfactory Academic Progress committee in conjunction with the Director of Enrollment and Student Services or designee. 

          • • The appeals committee’s decision is final & non-appealable.

            • Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility (FA Probation)

              • If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one payment period or semester at the end of which SAP is re-evaluated.

              • If SAP is not met, financial aid will again be suspended.

Frequency of SAP Evaluations

1. 1. Term Based Programs will be evaluated by the office of financial aid at the end of each semester.

   2. Clock hour programs will be evaluated by the office of financial aid at the end of each financial payment period based on the program.