The Department of Education and Student Financial Assistance Programs require schools and colleges to develop and apply a consistent standard of academic progress in determining student eligibility. Foothill College adheres to this regulation by maintaining a satisfactory academic progress policy for the awarding of Title IV funds and institutional financial aid. The college awards assistance based on demonstrated financial need. In addition, an individual educational plan that leads to either transfer to a four-year college, or obtain a degree/a certificate may be required. By applying for and receiving financial aid, you are expected to demonstrate the ability to succeed by being persistent in maintaining enrollment and a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Eligible Program
Student can not be offered or paid financial aid if they are not in an eligible program at Foothill College. Eligible Programs includes AA/AS Degree, Transfer Programs, AA/AS and Transfer and Certificate Programs.
Good Standing
The minimum standards to maintain “good standing” on financial aid are:
- FULL-TIME STUDENTS (attempting 12 or more units) must earn at least 10 units each quarter with at least a 2.0 G.P.A. per quarter and cumulative.
- THREE-QUARTER-TIME STUDENTS (attempting 9 – 11.9 units) must earn at least 9 units each quarter with at least a 2.0 G.P.A. per quarter and cumulative.
- HALF-TIME STUDENTS (attempting 6 – 8.9 units) must earn at least 6 units each quarter with at least a 2.0 G.P.A. per quarter and cumulative.
Time Frame
Students are allowed a maximum amount of time to reach their goals in their eligible programs. At Foothill College, many students achieve their AA/AS or transfer goals within 90 and 110 units. Therefore, if students reach a total of 120 quarter units of work, they may have reached their maximum time frame and no longer qualify for federal aid. All work performed at other colleges is included in determining whether students are under or over the 120 quarter units. Once applicants reach 120 units and are applying for federal aid, they must submit a petition that will be reviewed to determine whether this student’s time frame should be extended beyond the normal time. The purpose of the federal aid programs is to provide low-income students with the opportunity to gain higher education. When students have had that opportunity, they may not be assisted all the way through to a series of multiple goals if the time they have spent exceeds 150% of the amount of time normally needed to reach this goal.
Probation
If during a quarter a student fails to meet the requirements for either the Completed units OR Quarterly GPA OR Cumulative GPA that student may be placed on Probation. Probation will be considered a warning status, but financial aid eligibility for the quarter will remain. An e-mailed notice will be sent to the student when an e-mail address is available within our student information system.
Example: Mike, who was in good standing after summer school, does NOT meet the SAP requirements in fall quarter. Mike would be on probation for winter quarter OR the next quarter that he attends. For the following quarter Mike could still be paid financial aid.
Disqualification
If during a quarter when the SAP status was any form of Probation, a student fails to meet the requirements for either the Completed units OR Quarterly GPA OR Cumulative GPA that student may be placed on Disqualification. Disqualification will be considered a status in which financial aid is cancelled and financial aid eligibility for the disqualified quarter forward will be cancelled, until SAP has been demonstrated or an appeal approved. An e-mailed notice will be sent to the student when an e-mail address is available within our student information system.
Example: Mike was on probation after fall quarter and he returns to attend college at least halftime in winter quarter. Mike once again does NOT meet the SAP requirements in winter quarter. Mike would be disqualified for spring quarter OR the next quarter that he attends. Mike could keep his BOG Fee Waiver, but may have all other aid cancelled for spring quarter and the following quarters if SAP is not met.
Appeals
If the student feels there were extenuating circumstances to explain their disqualified SAP status they have the option to appeal to the Financial Aid Director. An appeal may require the student to meet with a counselor, seek tutorial assistance, correct the difficulties that prevent success, and/or other suggested remediation to show possibilities of future SAP success. An approved appeal will give the student at least 1 additional quarter of Probation and allow them to receive financial aid, pending availability at the time of approval.
Reinstatement
If a student is in a Disqualified status, they attend a following quarter at halftime or more, and they meet the SAP requirements they will be considered to be making SAP for the quarter after showing success. During the quarter after showing SAP success the student would be in an eligible status and could be awarded, pending availability at the time of Reinstatement. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of a successful quarter.
Example: Mike was disqualified after winter quarter and he returns to attend college at least halftime in the spring. Mike finally meets the SAP requirements in spring. Mike would be eligible to let the Financial Aid Office know that he reinstated himself. Mike would be eligible for aid the next quarter he attended, pending eligibility and availability at the time of Reinstatement.
Units and GPA calculation
We will depend on Admission and Records (A&R) to properly show units completed and GPA for our use in determining SAP. Grades of “F”, “W”, “NP”, “IP”, and “I” are not counted as completed units and thus will be assessed as not completed units when determining SAP. Courses taken as P/NP may have the GPA manually calculated, if not all classes were passed (P). We will follow A&R’s rules on repeating courses for credit and may be able to pay for retaking a course. Because below college level courses are often used to get up to college level courses, meaning there is the intention to be in an eligible academic program, those classes will be used in determining SAP. See grade point calculator.
Return of Title IV Funds
Financial aid recipients who withdraw completely before 60% of the quarter is over may have to return a portion of the aid received which was not earned. Students may arrange for a Leave of Absence if they are planning on returning the following quarter. Students who withdraw and do not repay funds will have an institutional hold placed on future Foothill College registration and transcripts and a national hold placed on future aid eligibility at any institution.
Please contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from all your classes.
Example: Mary is a full time student and received a Pell disbursement of $1,350 for the quarter. She dropped all her classes during the 5th week of the quarter. After the calculation of Return of Title IV funds, Mary owes $234 of the Pell amount. Mary must repay these funds or can complete a Leave of Absence request.
