SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY AND PROCEDURES

There are several policies governing Satisfactory Academic Progress, depending upon the type of aid you have received.

Students receiving financial assistance through the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Grant (FSEOG), Federal Stafford Loan, Federal College Work Study Program (FCWS), and/or HGTC institutional aid must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards an associate degree, diploma or certificate.  The standards by which Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is measured for these programs are outlined in the SAP policy on the Financial Aid page at lagoon.hgtc.edu under “General Financial Aid Information and Resources.”

SAP policies for the South Carolina Need Based Grant and the South Carolina Life Scholarship are outlined in the Certification form which the student signs to accept these funds.  Click on each of these links to view these SAP requirements, if you have been awarded either of these funds.

The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP) has a different SAP requirement.  If you have attempted 24 credit hours while attending HGTC you only need to have a 2.0 GPA to be making satisfactory academic progress for this program.

If a student who has not previously received Federal or South Carolina aid becomes eligible in later semesters, before receiving aid, he/she must meet the same Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as required by a student who has been receiving aid since their first semester, i.e. the student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward an associate degree, diploma or certificate.

Any student may appeal any decision regarding financial assistance and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee.

You are required to:

1.   Prepare enclosed appeal form letter with documentation of any special circumstance that applies to your inability to maintain satisfactory progress.

2.   Attend a one hour mandatory financial aid appeals counseling session.

3.   Bring your Financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form with documentation to the mandatory financial aid appeals Counseling session. DO NOT send your appeal form to the financial aid office. Appeal forms will no longer be accepted in the financial aid office and will be returned to you.

A student may appeal due to an emergency condition (e.g. health, family, catastrophe, etc).  Documentation verifying the situation may be requested.  The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will consider the appeal and notify the student in writing of its decision and any conditions for the semester of the appeal.  Conditions may include a limitation on the number of credit hours for which a student may enroll, a stipulation of no more course withdrawals, a grade point average requirement, etc.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Status for each student and any changes in Status  will be posted at the end of each semester, and upon the rendering of an appeal decision, on Campus Pipeline.

To access your Campus Pipeline account, go to the College's homepage at lagoon.hgtc.edu and click on "Campus Pipeline Login", or go directly to the site at wave.hgtc.edu. Once logged in, click on the link within the "Student Services Access” area (right side of screen).  Click on “Personal Financial Aid Information” (right corner of screen).  Select “Award Year 2005-2006 from the list. Then click on “Academic Progress”. Your status information should then be displayed on screen.

For Campus Pipeline user password and general information, please contact Student On-Line Support (SOS) at SOS@hgtc.edu or call 843-349-5340.

Because of FERPA (federal privacy act) regulations, this information cannot be communicated by phone. Please check your SAP status on the link above.