Academic Progress Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

 Students at Green River College are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible for aid and receive financial aid. This policy defines what is meant by satisfactory academic progress. The college will look at all attempted credits regardless of the source of tuition payment. Per Department of Education policy, the Financial Aid Office is not allowed to recognize grade forgiveness.

COVID-19 Adjustments to Repayment

Students who withdraw from courses during a quarter that began while the national emergency is in effect can complete an attestation to request repayments to financial aid be waived due to the direct or indirect impacts of COVID-19. Impacts of COVID-19 may include, but are not restricted to, direct illness due to COVID-19 of the student or a family member, the need for the student to care for a loved one with COVID-19 or serve as a health care worker or first responder, inability to access technology such as a smartphone, computer or WIFI required to complete coursework, technological difficulties related to remote learning for the student and/or their children, loss of childcare, increase in work hours as a result of COVID-19, or economic hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency and emergency orders. If the attestation is approved, returns of funds will be calculated but not referred to either federal or state agencies. This policy is in line with Electronic Announcement posted on May 15, 2020 and updated on June 16, 2020 by the Department of Education.

Below is a summary of the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP). This summary is only a guide. Click 2020-2021 Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy to see the policy in full details.

Grade point average

Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 each quarter.

Students are also required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of the second academic year (six quarters) and thereafter regardless of enrollment level (i.e., the number of credits for which a student has registered).

Pace of progression

Students must successfully complete the highest number of credits attempted each quarter based upon the chart above. 

To complete a program in the allowed timeframe and maintain financial aid eligibility, students need to complete at least 67% of their attempted cumulative credits. 

All program credits (including transfer and developmental/below college level) will be taken into consideration whether or not aid was received.

Maximum timeframe

Students will have time limits for completing their programs of study.  Students can be considered eligible for financial aid for the equivalent of 150% of a program's length which includes all attempted college level credits. 

"Program" includes all pre-requisites, any changes in degrees or certificates and transfer credits that apply toward the program at Green River.