Satisfactory Academic Progress for Continuation of Financial Aid
Based on Federal regulations, a financial aid recipient is required to meet satisfactory academic progress as established by Macomb Community College. This policy is separate from the College’s general probation policy. Satisfactory academic progress status is calculated at the end of each semester in the academic year: Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer. However, for first-time financial aid applicants with credits already accumulated at Macomb Community College, satisfactory academic progress status is initially calculated when FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) results are received and then at the end of each semester thereafter.
Students must comply with both of the following policies:
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Maintain a cumulative 2.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) and maintain a cumulative completion rate of at least 67%.
The student must maintain a cumulative 2.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) at the end of each semester. In addition, the student must complete, with a passing grade, at least 67% of all credit hours attempted, whether or not financial aid was received for those attempted credits.
Not Exceed Maximum Credits
Not exceed 150% of the maximum credits required for the student’s program.
The maximum time frame for a student to complete their academic program cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the program. See examples below:
| Program Requirement | Maximum Attempted Credits Allowed |
|---|---|
| 62 credit hours | 93 (62 x 1.50 = 93) |
| 68 credit hours | 102(68 x 1.50 = 102) |
| 75 credit hours | 113 (75 x 1.50 = 113) |
The student should review the Macomb Community College catalog or consult with an academic advisor/counselor to find the number of credits required for their program; multiply that number by 1.50 to determine the maximum number of credits they can attempt to receive financial aid. The student will be denied financial aid when they have attempted more than 150% of the credit hours required for their program.
Attempted Credit Hours
Attempted Credit Hours include the following, regardless of the method of payment or source of funds used to pay for the class:
- Classes with an earned letter grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, E, P or F
- Classes with an unearned letter grade of E, or W (withdrawal)
- Repeated classes
- Classes transferred from other colleges or universities
Notes:
- The student cannot receive financial aid for audited classes and these credits are not included in attempted hours.
- An ‘I’ (incomplete) grade is not included in attempted hours. Once the hours are converted to either an earned letter grade or an unearned letter grade, they will be included in attempted hours.
Summary of Satisfactory Academic Statuses
Warning
A student who fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress will be placed on warning for the next semester they enroll for classes. This is a warning to the student that they must meet the College’s satisfactory progress standards (2.0 cumulative GPA and a cumulative completion rate of at least 67%) during the next semester of enrollment. If the student meets the standards, they will be placed at a satisfactory status the next time the satisfactory academic progress calculations are processed.
Unsatisfactory
A student who fails to meet the College’s satisfactory academic progress standards by the end of the warning period will be placed in an unsatisfactory status and will be denied aid until they meet the reinstatement requirements. This means the student must pay for classes at Macomb at their own expense until they meet the reinstatement requirements. A student with extenuating circumstances should review the appeal procedures below.
Reinstatement
The student’s financial aid eligibility can be reinstated after the student meets the College’s satisfactory academic progress standards (2.0 cumulative GPA and a cumulative completion rate of at least 67%). The student may not be reinstated more than two times at Macomb Community College. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress during the second reinstatement will result in termination of financial aid.
Termination
Termination means the student has failed to meet the College’s satisfactory academic progress standards by not adhering to the student’s academic plan for the specified period of time. Students may not appeal a terminated status; however, eligibility for financial aid can be reconsidered after the student meets the College’s satisfactory academic progress standards (2.0 cumulative grade point average and a cumulative completion rate of at least 67%). It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office if they meet the satisfactory academic progress standards after Termination.
Maximum Credits
A student who has attempted more than 150% of the credit hours required for their program will have a maximum credits status. Classes taken at other institutions and credits transferred into Macomb are counted as attempted.
Appeal Process
A student who does not meet the College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy may appeal by completing and submitting one of the following:
- Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form for students who failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress due to an extenuating circumstance* AND can return to satisfactory status by the end of the semester for which the appeal is being considered.
- Maximum Credit Hours Appeal Form for students who have exceeded 150% of their program.
Appeal forms can be found at https://my.macomb.edu/page/2581 or in the Financial Aid Office. The satisfactory academic progress committee reviews each appeal on a case-by-case basis. Deadline dates to submit appeals are scheduled each semester. Students can review the deadline dates at https://my.macomb.edu/page/financialaid, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@macomb.edu, or call 586.445.7999. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. If an appeal is approved, the committee may impose enrollment restrictions on the student for the best chance of academic success. Also, the student may be required to follow an academic plan, developed with the assistance of an academic advisor/counselor, to continue to receive aid.
*Examples of Extenuating Circumstances for the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal
- Death of an immediate family member (must include the relationship of family member to the student, copy of death certificate)
- Documented hospitalization or illness (must include dates and health care provider’s opinion as to readiness to return to school on official letterhead)
- Major accident or illness (self, child or parent)
- Victim of a crime or unexpected disaster (must include copy of police report, letter from psychologist, etc.)
Probation
A student will be placed on probation status if an appeal has been approved. This status will continue until the end of the appeal approval period provided the requirements put forth by the committee are met.
Approved by President’s Council
April 18, 2009
Revised April 2020
Revised by Office of General Counsel, January 2023