Federal Financial Aid Eligibility
8.1 General Statement/Purpose
Satisfactory Academic Progress provides students whom are on FSA with a framework for knowing when eligibility is in jeopardy. GSC maintains an intervention system to assist students with their academic weakness so that corrective measures can be implemented. That system, Student Success Program, is for all students enrolled in the college.
8.2 Satisfactory Academic Progress
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to develop, implement and monitor student’s academic progress. GSC has fulfilled this obligation by the provision of a framework for students’ experiencing academic difficulties. It delineates when and what specific assistance and supports are available to ensure successful attainment of student goal to complete the program and degree.
The Financial Aid Department follows tenets of the academic policy of the college, which advises students of their academic status and is maintained so that corrective measure can be implemented. The intervention mode applies to all students enrolled in the degree program. At the end of each term, students receive written notification if they have failed to meet the academic standards.
8.3 Determination of SAP is based on the credits earned at GSC and has the following minimum standards:
1. GPA of 2.0 on credits attempted each semester/term.
2. Successful completion of all courses attempted each semester/term (withdrawals will be included).
D and W are unacceptable grades.
3. No more than 3 course withdrawals during tenure at GSC.
4. No more than 3 failures of any course during tenure at GSC.
Failure to meet ANY of the above requirements will result in WARNING, PROBATION, or SUSPENSION of FSA.
Following the First Term/Semester:
1. The Director of Admissions and Financial Aid places student on WARNING status with a written
notification after grades are issued. (Documentation errors can be corrected through the Assistant
Registrar.)
2. Students receiving financial aid must take a minimum of three credits. No credit maximums are
imposed
3. The Dean of Academic Affairs initiates student intervention with GSC Students Success Program.
Following the Second Term/Semester:
1. The Director of Admissions and Financial Aid places the student on
PROBATION for one term/semester with a written notification after grades are issued.
2. The student will remain on PROBATION with financial aid and carry a minimum of three credits, until minimum requirements are met, or successfully re-take failed course.
Following the Third Term/Semester:
1.The student is SUSPENDED from FSA for one term/semester.
Following the Fourth Term/Semester:
1. Student is SUSPENDED from FSA at GSC for the current tenure with no appeal.
Note: Suspension will also occur for not meeting SAP minimum standards #3 and #4. All credits attempted will count towards the program, regardless of when the credits were attempted. Credits that have been accepted (as transfer) by GSC will also count toward the minimum credit limit.
The Student has the right to appeal any stage of SAP, except the Fourth Term/Semester and that appeal must be submitted in writing to the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.
If you have any questions regarding the Standards for Academic Success, please contact the Director of Admissions Financial Aid.
8.4 150% Rule
In addition to the above academic standards, when you receive financial aid you are subject to the 150% Rule. This rule means that you must complete program no more than three years after starting your first nursing course. If you exceed 150%, you will not be able to continue to receive financial aid.
GCS’s two-year Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing requires 72 credits to complete.