Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Financial Aid

Federal and state aid programs (such as Pell Grant, Texas Grant, Stafford Loan, etc.) require that students make satisfactory academic progress to receive financial aid.

There are two parts of the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy here at Tyler Junior College:

• Meeting SAP by maintaining your grades and hours for any semester (fall, spring, or summer) that you receive financial aid.
• Meeting SAP completing a degree within the maximum time frame (150% Rule).

Each semester that you receive financial aid (grants, loans, and/or work-study), you must

• Complete a total of six (6) college credit hours with a successful result, meaning a grade of "A", "B", "C", or "D". 
• Maintain a TOTAL* GPA of 2.0 or better for all courses you have completed.

Each semester we review your progress to see if you have completed at least six (6) college credit hours and have a TOTAL* GPA of 2.0 or better. You will be considered in "good standing" if you meet these requirements.   If you do not meet the requirements, you will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.

*Total grade point average = All grade points divided by all hours earned (college level and developmental).

A student on Financial Aid Suspension will not be eligible for any financial aid, including grants and loans.

APPEALING YOUR FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION

PLEASE NOTE: During the appeal process the student must be prepared to pay his/her own expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, etc.  You have until the following January to appeal  your suspension. For example: If you are suspended for the Fall 2003, Spring 2004, or Summer 2004, you have until January 2005 to appeal.

Suspended students have the following options to reinstate their financial aid. If this is the first time on suspension you need to follow Option 1.

OPTION 1

You can submit a written appeal to the financial aid office. Your appeal should include the following:

1.) The required appeal form. Click this link to download form: SAP APPEAL FORM

2.) Personal statement that includes explanation of extenuating circumstances and resolution or plan of action explaining what will ensure your future academic success.

3.) Documentation such as letter from doctor, death notices, car repair receipts, etc.

OPTION 2

You can attend college at your own expense and make up the hours or GPA deficiencies that occurred during the previous semester. After you improved your SAP insufficiencies, at your own expense, you then will be eligible to receive aid the following semester. It is your responsibility to bring a copy of your academic transcript and proof that you paid out of pocket (receipts, etc.) to the Financial Aid Office for a re-evaluation once the deficiencies have been made up.

The 150% Rule at Tyler Junior College means that a student can only be funded by federal financial aid until their attempted hours reach 150% of the hours required to complete their degree.  This is the maximum time frame federal regulation set by the Department of Education. Each year, in May, we monitor your total number of attempted hours to determine if you have exceeded your 150% limit.

Remember that attempted hours are any classes that you have begun and completed, or begun and withdrawn.  Basically, any college hour that appears on your college transcript, even if you did not get a grade or credit for the hours, are included.

Once your attempted hours reach 150% of your degree, you may not be eligible for financial aid at Tyler Junior College.  If you have exceeded your 150% limit, you have the option to appeal for additional financial aid funds to assist you with additional semesters.  Use the following procedure to appeal:

Appeal Process for Maximum Time Frame (150% Rule)

You must submit a degree audit form from your academic advisor and a written appeal letter stating why it has taken so long to complete your degree.  If you have semesters where you have withdrawn from courses, you should provide explanation.