A. DECLARATION OF YOUR MAJOR You must declare a specific major area of study. You may choose an associate degree, certificate program, or transfer program. Our catalogs list the requirements for various majors. If you are undecided about your major course of study, we suggest you discuss your educational objective with an academic counselor. Back to Top

B. EDUCATIONAL PLAN
You are encouraged to submit a counselor-approved educational program plan* to your campus Financial Aid Office. Your educational plan is an unofficial outline of the courses you need to complete your major. You use it as a guide to see how many credits and required courses you have completed at all colleges, and how many more credits and required courses you need.
*To get an Educational Plan, make an appointment with an academic counselor at your campus.

C. STUDENTS TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER COLLEGE
If you transferred from any other college outside the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), you must request an original academic transcript from the college(s) you attended. Transcripts will be reviewed by the District Student Services staff to determine the transferable units. These units will be used to determine if you have exceeded the maximum time frame. (See Section D.) Back to Top

D. MAXIMUM TIME FRAME
Completion of an Associate Degree normally requires 60 units. Based on federal regulations, a student is allowed a maximum time frame not to exceed 150% of the published length of the educational program (60 units x 150% = 90 units).

1. You may receive aid until you have attempted 90 semester units (134
quarter units) of college credit. (Transfer students: We will use the transfer units accepted by the District. Students who have attempted 90 or more units will be disqualified.)

2. You may receive aid until you have earned an Associate or higher degree.

3. A student may be paid financial aid for up to 30 attempted units of remedial course work. Remedial course work will not be included in the calculation of maximum time frame.

4. The maximum time frame will not be adjusted for a change of major.

5. Repeated courses will be included in determining the maximum time frame.Back to Top

E. DETERMINATION OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS
In order to be making satisfactory progress a student must complete at least 67% of all units attempted in the San Diego Community College District (60 units ) 90 units = 67%). 

• Units completed are “A” through “D” grades, or “CR” passing with credit.

• Units not completed are “F” grades, “W” withdrawal, “I” incomplete, or “NC” no credit.

• Remedial courses and repeated courses will be used in the determination of academic progress. 

Your academic progress will be determined once each year at the end of the spring semester. A year is defined as summer, fall and spring. Your interim status will be reviewed at the end of the fall semester. If necessary, you will be notified that your aid eligibility may be in jeopardy. You should then take appropriate steps during the spring semester to ensure you make satisfactory academic progress for the year. To remain eligible for aid, you must comply with all standards regarding minimum grade point average, minimum cumulative units to be completed, and maximum units attempted. Back to Top

GPA PROGRESS
We will use a 2.00 GPA standard for determining the GPA progress. Students with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher in the SDCCD will be in Good Standing. Students who drop below a cumulative 2.00 GPA will be placed on Probation for the academic year. Students who are on Probation and fail to bring their cumulative GPA to 2.00 or higher will be Disqualified for the following academic year.

DISQUALIFICATION STATUS
Students will be disqualified if they -

• Completed less than 67% of the total cumulative units attempted or

• Have a cumulative GPA of less than 2.00 for two consecutive years or

• Attempted 90 or more units or

• Have earned an Associate or higher degree

You may appeal these limitations if extenuating circumstances exist. (See section F on appeals below.) Back to Top

F. APPEALS
If you are disqualified or denied financial aid and extenuating circumstances exist, you may submit an appeal to your campus Financial Aid Office for the Appeal Committee’s consideration. Appeals will be considered in the date order in which they were received. THE DECISION OF THE APPEAL COMMITTEE IS FINAL.

G. REINSTATEMENT FROM DISQUALIFICATION
If you choose not to appeal, or if your appeal is denied, you may apply again for financial aid after one year of attendance AND after meeting the minimum standards for satisfactory progress.  You may then be reinstated and qualify for financial aid.

APPLICABILITY OF THESE STANDARDS
These standards apply to the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), Federal Family Education Loans, Federal Direct Loan Program, and the Cal Grant programs. They are effective Summer 2001 and will be used at the end of the Spring 2002 semester for eligibility determination for the 2002- 2003 school year and supersede all previous standards.

The “Policy for Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Recipients” was approved by the San Diego Community College District Student Services Council on February 6, 1997.

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