Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

To keep getting financial aid at Green River College, students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress. This means doing three things:

  1. Keep Your Grades Up
    You need at least a 2.0 GPA each quarter. After six quarters, your overall (cumulative) GPA also needs to be at least 2.0.

  2. Pass Your Classes
    You must complete the classes you sign up for. If you drop or don’t pass a class, it may still count against your total unless you drop it by the census date (10th day of the quarter in Fall, Winter, and Spring; 8th day in Summer).

  3. Stay on Track to Finish Your Program
    You can receive financial aid for up to 150% of the credits needed for your program. For example, if your program is 90 credits, financial aid will cover up to 135 credits. This includes basic (remedial) classes under the 100 level, but there’s a limit of 45 of those credits.

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

 

How Do We Check Your Progress?

Green River checks your progress at the end of each quarter. This includes all your classes—whether or not you were using financial aid at the time. If you’re not meeting the standards, you’ll get an email explaining what’s going on and what happens next.

What Are the SAP Statuses?

✅ Good Standing
You’re doing well! Your GPA is 2.0 or higher, you’re passing all your classes, and you’re on track to finish on time.

⚠️ Financial Aid Warning
Your GPA is between 1.0 and 1.9 or you completed 67–99% of your credits. You can still get financial aid, but you need to improve next quarter.

🚫 Financial Aid Suspension
You completed less than 67% of your credits or your GPA is below 1.0. You cannot receive financial aid unless you appeal or meet other requirements.

📝 Financial Aid Probation
This means your appeal was approved. You can get financial aid for one more quarter, but you must meet the SAP rules during that time.

⏳ Maximum Time Frame
If you’ve used up 150% of the credits for your program, you’ll need to submit a special request (called a Petition to Extend) to get more financial aid. Only rare cases are approved.

How Can I Get Financial Aid Back?

  • Submit an Appeal
    If you had a personal or medical emergency, you can fill out a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal form. If it’s approved, you’ll be on probation and must earn at least a 2.0 GPA that term. You can find the SAP Appeal on the GRC Financial Aid Forms page. Make sure to include your Academic Progress Report with your appeal. SAP appeals are due the day before the start of the next quarter.

  • Self-Reinstatement
    You can pay for a quarter yourself, take at least 5 credits, pass all your classes, and get at least a 2.0 GPA. After that, you may qualify for financial aid again.

Before Dropping a Class...

Please talk to the Financial Aid Office first! Dropping classes might affect your aid, and we want to help you avoid any problems.