Middlesex Community College Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

To remain eligible for financial aid, students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Satisfactory Academic Progress is the measure of a student's progress toward the completion of a course of study (degree/certificate) according to federal and state regulations, as well as standards set by Middlesex Community College (MCC). 

Recipients of all financial aid programs, including student loans, are subject to these standards for renewal of their financial aid eligibility. Academic Progress is based on all terms of enrollment, whether or not financial aid was received. Some MCC institutional programs have additional or more stringent renewal criteria. Permission to enroll does not equal financial aid satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress evaluation is based on cumulative MCC course work as appearing on the student's official academic transcript. The review of academic progress will take place at the conclusion of the spring term for all students, except those students enrolled in certificate programs. Certificate students will be reviewed each semester. Any classes taken during the summer session following the academic year will be considered toward the total attempted credits during the next review process.

There are three standards of progress. A student must be maintaining all three standards to continue to receive financial aid:

1. Grade point average (GPA): Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average based on the total attempted credits to remain in good standing.

                             Number of attempted credits                          Minimum Grad Point Average

                                         1 - 12                                                                   1.7

                                        13 - 24                                                                  1.8

                                      Above 24                                                                 2.0

2. Completion rate percentage: All students must successfully complete at least 66% of their attempted credits as appearing on their official academic transcript. To be counted as successfully completed or earned credits, students must receive a grade of A, B, C or D or P (Pass). 

3. Maximum timeframe requirement:The student must complete his or her educational program of study within a timeframe no longer than 150% of the published length of the educational program, as measured by credits attempted and including transfer credits. For example, an associate's degree with a published program length of 64 credits must be completed within 96 attempted credits. A certificate program with a published program length of 27 credits must be completed within 40 attempted credits.

The following are considered when evaluating a student's SAP:

ESL courses do not count in the maximum timeframe calculation (unless they fulfill a Humanities requirement) but do count towards the GPA and annual completion rate percentage.

Repeated courses are counted in attempted credits and, if successfully completed, earned credits.

Withdrawals (W) and incompletes (I or IP), or failures (F) are counted in the attempted hours but are not successfully completed or earned.

Transfer courses, including credits received during consortium study, and applicable to the program of study will be counted as attempted credits and earned credits. These credits will be used in calculating the maximum timeframe.

Audited courses are not considered credits attempted or earned.

Program changes: All attempted credits and earned credits (including transfer credits) that can be applied to the new program of study will be considered in calculating the maximum timeframe requirements for the new program. Students who already have any Associate's degree or higher will not be eligible to receive financial aid for a Liberal Studies degree. Admissions pre-requisities required for entrance into a program of study, such as Nursing, Dental Hygiene or Bio Technology, will not be considered in calculation of the maximum timeframe.  

Probation:Students who fail to make Satisfactory Academic Progress can be placed on financial aid probation for one semester or academic year if they are maintaining a 50% to 65.9% credit completion rate and whose grade point average (GPA) meets this policy's minimum standards.  Students enrolled only one semester during the previous academic year (Fall or Spring) are placed on probation as well, regardless of requirements stated above. Students remain eligible for financial aid while on probation, without appeal. Students will be required to complete 75% of their attempted credits while on probation and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.00 or better. Failure to meet these requirements will result in suspension of aid eligibility. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the academic resources available at MCC such as Academic Support Center, Disability Support Service, and Student Success Office.