• Connecting SAP to retention
• Discuss what to consider
when developing an SAP
policy
• Examine communications
strategies
• Delve into case studies
“When students drop out, it is bad for
them because they lose huge future
career and income potential; bad for
the institution they leave because of
lost reputation, revenue, and
opportunity to make a difference in
the students’ lives; and bad for
society because of the need for an
educated work force that is able to
compete in the global marketplace.”
Read more: “Research to Improve Retention” by Robert J Sternberg, Inside High Ed
2/7/13 http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2013/02/07/essay-use-research-improve/stud/ent-retention#ixzz2x6N6Eqix
Source: Apollo Research Institute as reported by AOL Jobs
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/08/13/top-6-reasons-older-college-students-dropout/
• 2013: The White House announced a plan to create a
rating system to help families determine value and
outcomes easily. Ratings may have been used for
allocation of federal funding sources to schools.
• 2015: The White House is announcing the release of
college ratings tools, providing consumers with more
information to draw their own conclusions about a school’s
value. Federal funding may still be directed towards
schools who “deliver a quality, affordable education for their
students.”
Read more: “The White House plans to rate your college — here’s what you need to know” by Kyla Calvert, PBS 8/27/14,
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/know-white-house-plan-rate-college-value/
Ream more: Helping families navigate their higher education options, http://www.ed.gov/blog/2015/06/helping-families-navigate-theirhigher-education-options/
• Help families choose a college that works for them – and
that they can afford
• Increase transparency and make information about
schools’ outcomes free and useful
• Improve our measurements of college outcomes so that
students and taxpayers get the most for their investment
• Engage various groups: students, parents, higher
education leaders, researchers, experts, about how best
to meet these objectives
• Red More: Helping families navigate their higher education options,
http://www.ed.gov/blog/2015/06/helping-families-navigate-their-higher-education-options/
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/performance-funding.aspx
Read more: “Half Of States Incentivize Colleges To Graduate More Students” by Reid Wilson, Washington Post, 3/17/14,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/03/17/half-of-states-incentivize-colleges-to-graduate-morestudents/
• 21% of first-year
Pell recipients in
2012 failed to meet
the SAP GPA
standard
• SAP failure due to
GPA standards
likely adds to
dropout rather than
as persistence rate
without financial aid
Source: Center for Analysis of Postsecondary Education and Employment (CAPSEE) http://capseecenter.org/pellgrants-as-performance-based-aid/
“An institution must establish a
reasonable satisfactory academic
progress policy for determining whether
an otherwise eligible student is making
satisfactory academic progress in his or
her educational program and may
receive assistance under the title IV,
HEA programs.”
Reference §668.34
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?c=ecfr&SID=9b0be01839ad274bc33fe014604ea2de&rgn=div8&view=text&node=34:
3.1.3.1.34.3.39.4&idno=34
• Consistently applied to all Title IV programs
• Evaluated regularly
• Ensures those not meeting don't receive Title IV funds
• Outlines how to reestablish eligibility
• Comparable assessment measure in
contrast to norm
• Can require overall cumulative Grade Point
Average (GPA) as well as enrollment period
GPA requirement
• Must be cumulative
• Requires that student enrolled 2+ years
must have a GPA of at least a “C” or its
equivalent
•Measure progress toward program completion
•Must be cumulative
•150% of program length
•Example
Degree
Program
Credits
Required
Maximum
Credits Allowed
Associate's
60 credits
90 credits
Bachelor's
120 credits
180 credits
• Cumulative number of credits/hours earned by the
cumulative number of credits/hours attempted
• Typically schools publish the percentage
• May defer by grade level, program, etc..
• Example
• Cumulative Credits Earned: 12
• Cumulative Credits Attempted: 20
• Pace Rate: 60%
• Rules state at the end of payment period
• School may define
• when scheduled credits/hours elapsed
• when student attended
• after successful completion
• No matter how defined, must be done at
least once annually
The Mechanics
• No appeal
necessary
• Available for one
payment period
• Unable to grant for
2 consecutive
payment periods
Ideas to Consider
• Highlight campus
resources that to
put them back on
track
• Check in part way
through enrollment
period
• Communicate what
happens next if fail
The Mechanics
• Appeal
• Describes why failed to
maintain SAP
• Outlines change in
circumstances to allow to
meet SAP now
• School grants appeal
• With expectation student
meets SAP in next
payment period
OR
• If successfully fulfill
specific terms and
conditions designed for
student by specified point
in time
Ideas to Consider
• Help students know what
a successful appeal looks
like
• Highlight campus
resources that to put
them back on track
• Discuss the “costs” for
failing (i.e., future
earnings, more time)
• Make online, video based SAP counseling available
when notified of SAP status to explain the basics,
review the appeal process, and measure their
understanding
• Offer one-on-one, in-person meetings to discuss the
SAP evaluation and discuss appeal process
• Provide an SAP session to all those who failed to meet
requirements and want to appeal
• Use notifications through multiple channels – admin
system notification, email, and snail mail
• Require hearing of Appeal Committee to review appeal
and offer resources to students.
• Offer online, video based SAP counseling
by linking from your website
• Deliver SAP content in Student Orientation
• Partner with Academic Advising &
Registrar’s Office to disseminate info
• Make an in-person SAP Counseling
session available as an option to all
students
• Work with Extended Opportunity Programs
and Services (EOPS) & other outreach
office to require session for program
participants
•
•
•
•
Location: Locations across the state of Indiana
School Type: 2-year public community college
Enrollment: 102,000 Degree Seeking
Full-time Beginning Undergrads on Federal
Financial Aid: 80%
• Frequency of SAP: Every term
We hope that your Fall 2015 semester is going well. We are happy that you chose Ivy Tech Community
College, and we want you to know that we are committed to your success. We are writing to inform
you of the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Too often students fail to understand, or
follow these regulations, and as a result, lose any financial aid they might be receiving or are not able
to successfully complete their educational goals.
In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, students must follow these standards:



complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours with a passing grade (includes all
credit hours attempted at the College, not just the courses taken this semester). An
attempt is any course you enroll in and remain enrolled in through the drop date even
if you do not complete the course.
maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better
complete your degree or certificate within 150% of the required hours (Example: if you
are in a 60 credit hour program you must complete the program within 90 attempted
credit hours)
All students, regardless of financial aid eligibility, must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of
2.0 or higher in order to continue taking classes.
Do not just stop attending your classes. If you plan on dropping or withdrawing, you must formally
complete the process. This can be accomplished by visiting your Registrar’s office or via Campus
Connect. If you receive financial aid, failure to complete the process could result in you paying back
funds to the Department of Education. In order to help make an informed decision, please meet with
your local financial aid department before withdrawing or dropping from any of your courses.
If you have any questions about Satisfactory Academic Progress or if you are struggling in your
courses, we encourage you to seek help from your academic advisor. Your academic advisor is
committed to your success at Ivy Tech. We are here to ensure that you achieve your educational goals
and to point out potential barriers that could arise if you do not take the proper steps. Please make
sure you understand the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, and be sure to speak to
someone prior to dropping or withdrawing from any of your classes.
If you have additional questions, take the time to speak with an advisor or the financial aid department
on your campus. For more information about the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, visit our
website, or call us at 888-IVY-LINE. Thanks for choosing Ivy Tech.
• Ivy Tech has modular class that take place throughout the course
of the standard term.
• At the conclusion of the modules, we look at all students in a
Warning Status to ensure continued eligibility.
• If we know the student will move to terminated at the end of the term, we
notify the student and instruct them on how to file an appeal
• All Ivy Tech Academic Plans require students to complete all of
their course with a C or better.
• Notify student if they receive a grade <C in a modular course and
instruct them on how to file a SAP appeal.
• Monitor all students on an approved appeal regarding class
status. If the student “W” from a class, notify the student of
violation and encourage them to remedy the situation.
• Leveraging on on-line SAP Counseling tool that includes:
• Video
• Quizzes
• Combine the Counseling tool with an on-line SAP Appeal form.
• Students will be required to complete the counseling before they can
access the on-line form.
•
•
•
•
Location: Bronx, NY
School Type: 2-year public community college
Enrollment: 7,006
Full-time Beginning Undergrads on Federal
Financial Aid: 91%
• SAP Results: In 2013-2014, 1,193 students completed
an SAP session
• Frequency of SAP: Every enrollment period
• Retention Rate: 67% for full-time & 45% for part-time
•
•
•
•
Location: Bellingham, Washington
School Type: 4-year public university
Enrollment: 14,950
Full-time Beginning Undergrads on Federal Financial
Aid: 73%
• Retention Rate: 83% for full-time & 46% for part-time
• Graduation Rate: 69%
•
•
•
•
Location: Fullerton, CA
School Type: 2-year public community college
Enrollment: 24,301
Full-time Beginning Undergrads on Financial Aid:
67%
• SAP Results: In first term, 723 students completed the
online counseling that that would have otherwise taken
21 SAP in person counseling sessions
• Frequency of SAP: Every enrollment period
• Retention Rate: 75% for full-time & 63% for part-time
Looking at
your SAP
Policy?
SAP policy
checklist upon
request