Satisfactory Academic Progress

Your SAP appeal will not be considered complete until the Education Plan is uploaded to Campus Logic.

Students who are ineligible due to maximum hours should submit an appeal through the CampusLogic portal. The GTC Maximum Timeframe appeal’s process for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is specifically designed to provide flexibility for students impacted by a change in major. Under this policy, students requiring an appeal will be granted an automatic extension without the requirement to submit supporting documents if the student is making SAP in cumulative GPA and PACE. If the student is failing satisfactory academic progress measures for maximum timeframe and/or GPA/PACE, then supporting documentation is required. The maximum timeframe for completion of a degree will be extended proportionately based on the number of credits accepted from the previous major. This streamlined approach aims to support students navigating shifts in academic focus, recognizing that such changes can often require additional time for adjustment and successful progression. We believe this policy will facilitate a smoother transition for students as they pursue their academic goals in their revised major. All appeals that are approved for maximum time frame will require an Education Plan. Approval notifications will provide details regarding the submission of an Education Plan.

The personal statement needs to explain in a detailed timeline what extenuating circumstances beyond the students control happened and why the student was unable to meet the minimum overall GPA and/or Completion Rate. A minimum of two semesters should be addressed in the letter as all students are given a Warning Semester before financial aid is Suspended for GPA or Completion Rate.

The personal statement must also indicate how the extenuating circumstances have been resolved or stabilized enabling the student to now be academically successful to meet SAP requirements in the future.

Extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control include but are not limited to:

• Death of an immediate family member
• Major medical issue experienced by the student or an immediate family member of the student
• Physical disability: blindness, hearing loss, seizures, etc.
• Mental disability: PTSD, learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, depression, etc.
• Domestic violence
• Job loss
• Automobile accident
• Eviction or homelessness
• Involuntary call to active military duty

The following circumstances are NOT considered extenuating and beyond the student’s control, but based on personal choices:

• Not knowing the deadline or procedure
• Work conflicts
• Voluntary overtime
• Lack of childcare
• Incarceration resulting from a guilty verdict
• Choosing to come back for a new program
• Wishing to improve your GPA
• Not needing or wanting a class, not doing well in a class, or having too heavy of a course load

• Personal injury such as a broken arm or leg
• Illness or disease such as cancer or heart attack
• Physical disability:  blindness, hearing loss, seizures, etc.
• Mental disability: PTSD, learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, depression, etc.
• Personal crisis (uncontrollable)
• Death or illness of immediate family member (mother, father, siblings, etc.)
• Job loss
• Automobile accident
• Eviction or homelessness

As part of the appeal process for financial aid, students must provide qualified third-party documentation that supports the student’s personal statement regarding the extenuating circumstances that prevented the student from being academically successful. Acceptable documentation must:

• Address or have dates that fall within the period(s) in which the student was having academic difficulties
• Come from an official third-party such as a physician, therapist, counselor, clergy member, law enforcement, or court official.
• Be signed by the third party providing the documentation
• Be on official letterhead

Supporting Documentation is dated and unaltered evidence from a third party that supports the extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control in the student’s personal statement. Example documentation includes (but are not limited to):

• Death – Obituary
  • Car accident – Accident Report
  • Illness – Doctor Visit
  • Loss of job – Separation Notice
  • Loss of housing – Eviction Notice
  • New Job – Acceptance Letter
  • New housing – Mortgage or rental agreement
  • Reliable transportation – Bill of Sale for a new car

Important Reminder:
These are merely sample letters. Your letter should be specific to your situation and should explain why you did not meet SAP requirements. The documentation you submit will be based on and should support your reasoning.

Students can begin submitting Fall C-term appeals on 9/23/24; the deadline to submit a SAP appeal for the Fall C-term is 10/23/24.

Students can begin submitting Spring appeals on 11/1/24; the deadline for Spring appeals is 1/22/24.