Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal and state regulations governing student financial aid programs require the college to ensure that each student who is receiving financial aid maintains satisfactory academic progress toward his or her degree.
The Financial Aid Office works with the Policy Review Committee to monitor satisfactory academic progress on an annual basis for all financial aid recipients.
The satisfactory academic progress check occurs each spring semester as the student's file is being prepared for the next awarding season. Failure to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress (see Academic Progress) may result in students owing a refund or repayment on Title IV aid; this obligation will affect their ability to receive Title IV aid in the future.
Consistent failure to complete the number of units for which students are awarded financial aid can result in their reaching their maximum semesters of eligibility to receive financial aid before they have finished their degree.
Students remain eligible to receive financial aid while on academic probation; however, they must meet with a financial aid administrator before their aid will be disbursed. Remaining on academic or disciplinary probation for two consecutive semesters may result in dismissal from the college.
Maximum Semesters to Receive Aid
A student has limited time to complete all degree requirements and remain eligible for financial aid funding. As defined by federal regulations, the maximum time frame is 150 percent of the total time to degree completion. An undergraduate student at CCA pursuing a four-year BA or BFA would be eligible for 12 semesters of aid (8 x 1.5 = 12).
The number of semesters of aid eligibility will be reduced for transfer students according to the following table:
| Units Completed* | Eligible Semesters (BA/BFA) | Eligible Semesters (BArch) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 12 | 15 |
| 1–15 | 11 | 14 |
| 16–30 | 10 | 13 |
| 31–45 | 9 | 12 |
| 46–60 | 8 | 11 |
| 61–75 | 7 | 10 |
| 76–90 | 6 | 9 |
| 91–105 | 5 | 8 |
| 106+ | 4 | 7 |
* Includes transfer units
MFA/MA students have a total of six semesters of eligibility. MArch students have six or eight semesters of eligibility depending on whether admitted to the two or three-year program.
The table above is based on students' full-time attendance. Students attending part time will have their eligibility determined on a prorated basis.
BA/BFA to BArch
Students who change from the four-year BA or BFA program to the five-year BArch program, or vice versa, will have their maximum semesters of eligibility adjusted accordingly.
Students who change majors within a BA/BFA degree program will be required to complete their degree requirements within the time frame defined above to remain eligible for financial aid.
Extensions
The academic progress of students who receive the grade of Extension in a class or classes will be determined by the grades available. However, the academic records of these students will be reviewed again at the end of the following semester to give the Financial Aid Office an opportunity to review the final grades received in the classes and make any necessary adjustments to the students' awards.
Withdrawal from Classes
While withdrawing from classes has no adverse effect on a student's overall GPA, it should be noted that unless the student averages completion of 12 units per semester as a full-time undergraduate or 10 units per semester as a full-time graduate student, the student will fail to meet the maximum time frame toward degree completion and may run out of aid eligibility before graduation.