Regulations require schools participating in financial aid programs to establish academic progress standards that measure a student's progress towards an educational goal. As a financial aid recipient, it is your responsibility to understand the IVC Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Financial aid is limited to a certain number of units based on your current declared program(s) of study. All students are encouraged to have an educational plan completed, with the assistance of an academic counselor, in order to ensure you are taking the courses required to complete your program within the standards listed below.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This policy applies to all financial aid recipients beginning with the Fall 2023. These standards will be applied to federal financial aid as well as Cal Grants and SSCG and supersede any prior year SAP standards. All academic coursework attempted through Spring 2024 will be evaluated using these standards whether or not you received financial aid for those semesters. Note: Students enrolled in programs of one year or less must be evaluated at each term (this may include Summer 2024 which would be evaluated using these standards). Using professional judgment, we may monitor SAP by term on a case-by-case basis.

GOOD STANDING: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be evaluated at the end of Spring 2024 Semester (except for short-term programs as noted above). In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, you must meet the following standards:

REMEDIAL/PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK: Financial aid is limited to 30 attempted units of remedial, prerequisite, and preparatory coursework. ESL courses are not subject to this limit.

REPEAT COURSEWORK: Repeated coursework will be counted toward the completion rate and maximum timeframe standards. Only the highest grade will be counted toward the GPA. In addition, you may only receive financial aid for one repeat of a previously passed course.

TRANSFER COURSEWORK: Units acceptable for transfer into IVC will be included in your SAP evaluation. It is your responsibility to request transcripts from previously attended institutions if you choose to apply units toward your current educational objective.

ACADEMIC RENEWAL: Academic Renewal is not recognized for financial aid purposes. The original earned units and grades are always counted as units attempted, in the GPA calculation, and toward maximum timeframe as appropriate.

GRADE CHANGES: Grade changes will be reflected in the next regular SAP evaluation. SAP evaluations that were accurate at the time they were performed will not be updated. You may request a retroactive recalculation only in case of an error.

DISQUALIFICATION (DQ): If SAP standards are not met for all coursework attempted by the end of Spring Semester you will disqualified for the entire year. Note: Students enrolled in programs of one year or less must be evaluated each term. You will be notified via your IVC email account and WebSTAR of the Disqualified (DQ) status. Disqualified students with special circumstances may appeal (see process below). Students may also remove deficiencies for prior academic years in the Summer Session. Otherwise, SAP status will be re-evaluated at the next annual evaluation. Students who meet SAP standards at that point will be reinstated.

MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME (MTF): Once you have reached the MTF unit limit for your primary program of study or it is determined you are unable to complete your program within the MTF limit, you will be notified via your IVC email account and WebSTAR. If you have had a change of major or enrolled in a high unit major you may request a unit extension after you successfully complete the Unit Extension Counseling Session video available on WEBSTAR. Students accepted into the RN or LVN programs will automatically be granted a unit extension of up to 150% of the units required to complete the specific nursing program. If you feel you may have special circumstances you may appeal (see the process below).

FINANCIAL AID SAP APPEALS PROCESS

If you have special circumstances that prevented you from meeting SAP standards you may file an appeal. There are three requirements that need to be met before filing an appeal:

1. Complete all requirements for your financial aid file
2. Complete the SAP Appeal Counseling Session video available in WEBSTAR.
3. Have completed a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan within the last year (see an Academic Counselor to complete this if you do not have one done within the last year)

After you have successfully completed the requirements above, you will be directed to complete the appeal form. You must explain the special circumstances and what has changed that will allow you to make SAP by the next term. Documentation may be required to support your statement. If the statement and documentation are accepted by financial aid, you will be required to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor to develop a SAP Academic Plan. The appeal and SAP Academic Plan together will be reviewed by the Appeal Committee and will be recommended for approval or denial based upon the student's individual circumstances. All decisions are final and there is no higher appeal. If approved, you will be placed on Probation Status and awarded aid according to the conditions of the SAP Academic Plan which will be reviewed each term.  

SUBMISSION DUE DATES

The due date to submit completed SAP Appeals and Unit Extension Requests for term consideration is listed below: Term to be reinstated Due Date Fall October 31st Spring April 30th Summer June 30th