Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

All students are expected to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) except non-degree seeking graduate students. The three benchmarks in meeting SAP are a 2.0 Cumulative GPA (defined below), 67% Cumulative Completion Rate (defined below), and 150% Duration (defined below).

The Academic and Financial Aid SAP policies at Rochester College are one and the same. Students who do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress experience Academic/Financial Aid actions, regardless of whether or not they are financial aid recipients.

The following are definitions used to measure a student’s satisfactory academic progress towards the completion of a degree or certificate.

• 2.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) consistent with graduation requirements.

A student cannot graduate with a CGPA of lower than 2.0. However, if the student’s CGPA drops below 2.0 at some point during the course of his/her program, the student’s continuing academic and financial aid standing will be determined by the guidelines outlined further below in the section on “Monitoring the Minimum SAP Requirements.”

• 67% Cumulative Completion Rate (CCR), determined as follows:

Cumulative Credits Completed does not include hours with grades of “F” Failing, “W” Withdrawal, or “I” Incomplete. Cumulative Credits Attempted includes successfully completed hours, accepted transfer hours, courses previously taken and repeated, and hours with “Ws”, “Fs”, or “Is” in grade reports. Audited courses are not considered credits attempted or completed when calculating SAP. Credits attempted are defined as credits the student is enrolled in at the end of the official drop/ add period.

• Duration of eligibility, which is up to 150% of the program’s length.

A student must complete the requirements for the degree within 150% of the time it normally takes to complete the degree. Once a student has attempted 150% of the minimum credits required to graduate, s/he is no longer eligible for financial aid and is no longer considered as meeting the standards of SAP. In the event of extenuating circumstances, the student may file an appeal to the SAP Appeals Committee. An SAP Appeal Self-Assessment form must be submitted to the SAP Appeals Committee by the deadline outlined in the student's SAP letter. Appeals submitted after the deadline will not be considered. If the appeal deadline is missed, a student who needs to appeal may do so after a full calendar year.

Example: 120 credits required for a degree X 150% = 180 credit hours a student may attempt while working on the degree.