Academic Progress Policy

Academic Progress Policy

Students at Green River College are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order 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 Satisfactory Academic Progress

Winter quarter 2020
Due to the state of emergency declared in Washington by Governor Inslee on February 29,2020 and the disruption of normal campus operations, Green River College will exclude quantitative standards for all students after March 5th, 2020. For students who did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) with a last day of attendance of March 5 or after, no appeal was required. A notation of “COVID-19 override” was added to the student’s financial aid files.

Spring quarter 2020
Due to the national and state level state of emergency due to COVID-19, Green River had disruption of normal campus operations. The college has reasonably determined that all students were impacted by the change in delivery of instruction and support services, as well as the physical closure of campus. This policy is in line with Electronic Announcement posted on May 15, 2020 by the Department of Education.

Therefore, we are excluding all quantitative measurements for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students’ financial aid record will be updated with a COVID-19 override notation and the number of credits to exclude going forward. Students are not required to submit an appeal. Credits attempted but not completed due to COVID-19 disruption will not be included in quantitative calculations going forward. Incompletes and withdrawals will be considered quantitative measures and therefore will not affect a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress. A notation of COVID-19 override was added to the student’s financial aid record, along with notes regarding credits that have been excluded.

Students who did not meet SAP due to review of qualitative measures will still be required to submit a SAP appeal. Quarterly (and cumulative if student has attended six or more quarters) GPA will follow standard SAP policy.

COVID-19 Adjustments to Repayment

Winter and Spring quarter 2020
Due to the national and state level state of emergency due to COVID-19, Green River had disruption in normal campus operations. The college has reasonably determined that all students were impacted by the change in delivery of instruction and closure of the campus. Therefore, 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 2019-2020 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 125% 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.