Continuing Your Financial Aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To continue receiving financial aid you must maintain the following SAP requirements:

• Grade Point Average (GPA) - Institutional GPA of 2.0.
• Completion Rate - Maintain a 67% cumulative completion rate.
• Maximum Time Frame- Complete your degree/diploma/certificate within 150% of the required program hours of study. Example: a student enrolled in a 60 credit hour program is eligible until 90 credit hours are attempted (60 x 1.5 = 90).

What does my SAP standing mean?

• Good- Student is meeting all of the required standards.
• Warning - Student did not meet one or more of required standards.
• Suspension - Student did not meet one or more of required standards after warning status. Student aid is terminated immediately.

Note: Students who receive a failing grade in a class can repeat that class but it will affect the student's completion rate. Number of repeat classes is considered by the review committee when a student is submitting an appeal for loss of financial aid. Classes repeated to improve a passing grade may be repeated one (1) additional time only.

How to Appeal?

• Complete a SAP Appeal Form through your My Financial Aid tile in your TCTC student portal, include a detailed letter that thoroughly answers the questions listed on the appeal form, include documentation to support your letter, and a graduation plan locked in Degree Works by an academic advisor. 

Appeal outcomes are communicated by TCTC email and include:

• Approved- Students must adhere to the conditions and degree plan set by the SAP review committee.
• Appeal Denied - Student will not receive federal student aid.

Please refer to the Catalog for more information.

Dropping Vs. Withdrawing from Classes

• Drop Date: Students who drop a course by the published semester drop date will receive a refund of their tuition/fees and that course will be removed from their academic record.
• Withdrawal Date: Students who withdraw from a course after the drop date will not receive a refund and will be financially responsible for the course. Students who withdraw will receive a grade of W on their academic record.

Withdrawing from a Class

A student may withdraw from a class online via their student portal after the drop period. A grade of “W” will be awarded for the withdrawn course(s). Any withdrawals can impact a student’s completion rate. The student is responsible for all transactions, including notification of the Financial Aid office, if financial aid, scholarships, or VA education benefits are being received.

Withdrawing from the College

All students officially withdrawing from the College must complete a "Withdraw from College" form available in TC Central. Students are required to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor prior to submitting the form to TC Central. Students leaving the college without completing the "Withdraw from College" form are considered unofficially withdrawn. Federal financial aid eligibility must be recalculated for students who withdraw (officially or unofficially), drop out, or are dismissed prior to completing more than 60% of a semester. Federal financial aid includes Pell grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Federal loans. Federal financial aid must be returned to the federal government based on the percent of unearned aid. 

• If the student owes federal funds as a result of withdrawing from classes, they will not be able to use financial aid at any college, including TCTC, until the debt is paid.
• A student who owes the College may not be permitted to register for a subsequent term or obtain an academic transcript until the debt is paid (Payment should be made to the Business Office).
• If the student is enrolled in more than one session of classes (1st session B and 2nd session C) and withdraws from 1st session classes without seeing a Financial Aid Counselor their 2nd session classes will be dropped.

Contact the Financial Aid office at tccentral@tctc.edu or 864-646-8282, option 1 prior to withdrawing from a class or the college to determine how financial aid will be impacted.

Be familiar with the college calendar to know when all drop and withdraw dates occur.