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Federal Regulations require that all students receiving Title IV aid meet specific academic requirements. In compliance with these regulations, all financial aid recipients will have their progress evaluated at least once per year, at the time financial aid is awarded, and when any change in funding is requested. All coursework will be reviewed, regardless of whether the student received aid for all courses. The financial aid satisfactory academic progress guidelines for SJDC are as follows:

I. Academic Requirements	II. Eligibility Requirements	III. Probation/Disqualification
IV. Reinstatement	V. Appeal Policy

Printer friendly version of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Guidlines. (if needed, download Acrobat Reader first).

A student must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible program for the purpose of completing AA/AS Degree, Certificate, or transfer requirements. Students enrolled in classes listed in Section ll below or in all ESL courses must complete at least one class each semester that counts toward a degree or certificate to receive aid
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. Grades of “Credit” are the equivalent of a “C” grade. Grades of “No Credit” are the equivalent of an “F” grade. Grades of “MW” will not be included in GPA or units attempted.
• Complete at least 75% of the units attempted each semester.*

Withdrawals, Incompletes and Repeated Courses
“W”, “I”, “N”, RD” or “F” are considered unsatisfactory grades. Repeated courses will be counted each time they are taken.

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A student may continue to receive financial aid until he/she has attempted 90 units (including all known units taken at other colleges). A total of 30 units of remedial coursework can be excluded from this total. Remedial coursework includes the following courses:

Bus: 82A, 82B; DvEd: 70A, 70B, 75, 76, 77, 78A-F, 79A-D, 86, 86A-86D, 87, 87A-87D, 110; ENG: 70, 70A, 70B, 70C, 71, 72, 73A, 73B, 76, 77A; INDUS: 94; LD: 70, 78A-78H; MATH: 72, 88, 88L; Reading: 90, 90A-C, 91A-F 92, 97A-97I, 98; SpEd: 75, 76

There is no limitation on ESL (English as a Second Language) coursework. However, these units will count towards the 90-unit limit, and ESL students are required to declare an educational goal.

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A student will be placed on financial aid Probation whenever the cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 or the student does not receive credit for at least 75% of the units attempted* per term. Once on financial aid Probation, the student must meet the reinstatement requirements during the next period of enrollment by completing 75% of units attempted* and achieving a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Students on financial aid Probation who do not meet financial aid satisfactory academic progress during the next period of enrollment will be placed on financial aid Disqualification. Once on financial aid Disqualification, the student must meet the reinstatement requirements during the next two periods of enrollment to be placed back into Good financial aid standing. (Note: Once reinstatement requirements are met for one semester, the student is placed back on Probation status and is eligible for aid.)


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Once financial aid has been denied for unsatisfactory progress, a student may be removed from Financial Aid Disqualification status and placed on Financial Aid Probation status by completing one term in which the units completed represent 75% of units attempted* and the cumulative GPA is 2.0 or by having a written appeal approved.

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If financial aid has been denied due to the 90-unit limit, a student may request an extension of aid by submitting a written appeal.

Students who were denied aid for failing to complete the minimum number of units each term or for failing to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 may appeal if there were unusual or mitigating circumstances that affected the student’s ability to make progress. Examples of mitigating circumstances may include: death in the family, serious illness, or any other reason for which a student can demonstrate good cause for exception to the policy.

To appeal for financial aid consideration, the student must attend a Financial Aid Disqualification Workshop and provide all three of the following:

1. A written statement explaining why satisfactory progress was not met.
2. A two-semester Education Plan, and
3. An Academic Counselor’s Evaluation form with appropriate documentation.

Approval of any appeal will clearly state the condition(s) for reinstatement and continued financial aid eligibility. Download the Appeal Form.

If the appeal is denied, the student may schedule an appointment with a designated staff member to appeal that decision. If the original decision is upheld, the student may request an appointment with the Director of Financial Aid & Veterans’ Services for re-consideration.

* Students who enroll in 12 or more units must complete at least 9 units; student who attempt 0.5-5.5 units must complete and receive credit for all units attempted.

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