Financial aid applicants must comply with the 2011 U.S. Department of Education's statutory Requirement guidelines (34 CFR 668.34) on maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible for financial aid. Mitchell Community College's policy applies SAP standards to all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. To accurately measure a student's satisfactory academic progress, the policy requires a qualitative measure of progress and a quantitative measure of progress.
Qualitative Measure (Grade point requirement) - Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) as calculated by the Financial Aid Office. This GPA may be different than what appears on a student's transcript. For example, developmental courses are not included in a transcripts GPA, but are included for financial aid. Students must have a "C" average at the end of two academic years to graduate. A student must not be suspended according to the College's academic satisfactory academic progress policy.
Quantitative Measure (Completion requirement) - Students must successfully progress through their educational programs at a specific pace to ensure program completion within maximum timeframe. Pace is calculated by dividing the cumulative number of hours the student has successfully completed by the cumulative number of hours the student has attempted, regardless of enrollment status. Transfer credits are included in both the attempted and completed hours. If a student successfully earns 67% of the total cumulative credits attempted in their program of study and for each semester enrolled, the student should complete their program within maximum timeframe. Pace is measured at the end of each semester by the Financial Aid Office.
Pace calculation example:
Student attempts 12 credits in the fall semester and successfully completes 12 credits. The student has earned 100% of the credits attempted. In the spring, the student attempts 18 credits and successfully completes 15. Student has a cumulative total of 27 credits completed. The cumulative total of attempted credits is 30. Pace: 27÷30=90%.
Maximum Time Frame (MTF) - A financial aid student's maximum time frame to complete a program can not exceed 150% of the published length of the program. For example, if an academic program requires 68 credit hours to complete a degree, the student may attempt a maximum of 102 credit hours before the student exceeds their eligibility for financial aid. If a student changes majors, the total hours continue to accrue regardless of program completion.
Withdrawal - Students who receive a "W" or "WF" will have those credits included in the number of attempted hours and will not count as successful completed hours.
Incomplete - Students who receive an "I" will have those credit hours included in the number of attempted hours. If the "I" becomes an actual grade, the credit hours attempted and earned will be used in the computation to determine satisfactory academic progress.
Repeated Course - The highest grade is recorded as the final grade for a repeated course. The grade points and credit hours earned will be used in the computation of satisfactory academic progress.
Developmental Education Course - Developmental Education courses are included in the computation of satisfactory academic progress. However, only up to one academic year's worth, equivalent to 30 semester hours, can be counted in the student's enrollment status for federal aid. Developmental credit hours earned in excess of 30 semester hours cannot be counted towards enrollment status for federal and state grants.
To ensure financial aid applicants and recipients of financial aid are making sufficient progress both quantitative and qualitative, students progress will be evaluated by the Financial Aid Office at the end of each semester.
Satisfactory - Students are placed on satisfactory who meet the qualitative and quantitative measure and MTF requirements.
Financial Aid Warning - Students are placed on Financial Aid Warning for one semester the first time the student fails to meet SAP standards. Students may continue to receive financial aid for one semester on this status. No appeal is necessary. The student is responsible for meeting SAP standards by the end of the warning period.
Financial Aid Suspension - Students are placed on Financial Aid Suspension who fail to regain SAP the next semester enrolled. Students are no longer eligible for financial aid and their financial aid is terminated.
Financial Aid Probation - Students are placed on Financial Aid Probation when his or her financial aid is reinstated as result of an approved appeal. Students must follow and meet the conditions of their Academic Plan developed during the appeal process to remain on continued probation.
Maximum Timeframe - Students are placed on Maximum Time Frame when the 150% of the published length of the educational program is exceeded.
Notification - Students will be notified by the Financial Aid Office of his/her SAP status for financial aid by letter and/or email.
Reinstating Eligibility - Financial aid assistance can be regained when the student:
#1) Attends college and pays on his or her own without receiving federal or state aid and meets the qualitative and quantitative components of the SAP policy. Once SAP is met by the student, financial aid, depending upon eligibility and availability of funds, will be reinstated for the beginning of the next semester of attendance.
OR
#2) Through the Financial Aid Appeal Process. Students may appeal 'financial aid suspension' or 'maximum time frame' by completing an appeal form, available in the Financial Aid Office and on line on Mitchell's website, explaining why he or she did not meet SAP standards and explain what has changed in his or her situation that will allow SAP to be meet by the next SAP evaluation period. Appeals must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office with supporting documentation to verify mitigating or extenuating circumstances surrounding the appeal. Examples of mitigating or extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to the death of a family member, separation or divorce, an accident or an illness. Appeals submitted without supporting documentation will not be reviewed. The Financial Aid Committee will review appeal requests and the student will be notified by letter of the committee's decision. Students should be prepared to pay tuition and fees by the Financial Services published tuition & fees deadline. If the appeal is approved after tuition and fees are paid, students may be reimbursed based on their eligibility and credit hours enrolled.
Academic Plan - Students who appeal will be given an academic plan to follow that will put the student on track to successful program completion. Academic Plans may be individualized and may, for example, require the student to earn and maintain a minimum 2.5 semester GPA and to have a 100% completion rate. (Example: A student who attempts 12 credit hours and successfully completes 12 has a 100% completion rate (12 divided by 12 = 100%). It may be as complicated as a course by course plan toward degree completion. There may be other conditions included in the academic plan depending on the student's individual situation.
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Mitchell's Community Band Memorial Day Concert
Mon. May. 27, 2013
Memorial Day Holiday (No classes)
Mon. May. 27, 2013
Last day to receive 100% refund for 8-week and first 4-week sessions
Fri. May. 31, 2013
Classes begin for 8-week and first 4-week sessions
Mon. Jun. 3, 2013
