Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To earn and maintain satisfactory academic progress at Oakland Community College, students must earn and maintain the following:

1. GPA Requirement: Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
2. A Pace of Progression: You must successfully complete at least 67% (approximately 2/3rd) of your attempted credits. You must make progress toward graduation.
3. Maximum Time Frame: You must complete your program within 150% of the total required credits. If your program requires you to complete 60 credits, you cannot exceed 90 credits.

Pace of Progression measures how many of your attempted credits you’ve completed with a passing grade. You must complete at least 67% (approximately 2/3rd) of the classes you register for. 

Pace of Progression Example:

When evaluating maximum time frame, we consider your full academic record at OCC, including transfer hours, regardless of whether you received financial aid during those terms. If a student reaches 150% of the credits required for a degree, the student can appeal to continue receiving aid and complete their academic program. Note: We send you early notification before you reach the 150% mark. This allows you to be proactive in getting academic assistance.

All credits, including transfer credits, are applied to a student’s degree or diploma. These credits will be applied to the student’s GPA, Rate of Progression, and Maximum Time Frame calculations. It does not matter whether a student received Federal Student Aid for these credits or not, all will be applied toward Satisfactory Academic Progress.

If you forget to drop a class or stop attending, it still counts as attempted. Grades like A, B, C, D, F, I, W, WS and N all count as attempts.
Completed Credits hours: These are the classes you finish and pass. This means you stayed enrolled through the whole term and earned a passing grade (A, B, C, D). Transfer credits that apply to your degree are also counted. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress is run at the end of each term. Students should review their SAP status by logging onto MyOCC, scroll to the Financial Aid card and click the link for Manage Your Financial Aid. You SAP status will be at the top. You can click on the status for details.

For the first term in which a student fails to meet one or more of the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, the student will automatically be placed on Financial Aid SAP Warning for the next term. The student is still eligible for federal student aid during a term in which he or she is placed on Warning.

If a student fails to bring his or her GPA or Rate of Progression in line with the minimum standards by the end of a term during which he or she was on Financial Aid Warning, that student is placed on Financial Aid Unsatisfactory and is ineligible for financial aid. The student  may appeal, but only on the basis of: an injury or illness, the death of a relative, or other special circumstances. The appeal must explain why the student failed to make satisfactory progress and what has/will change that will allow the student to make satisfactory progress during the next term.

If you're submitting a SAP appeal and still want to attend classes next semester, follow these steps to protect your schedule:

Steps to Take:

1. Submit Your SAP Appeal on Time
   Turn in your complete appeal by the deadline:
   • Fall Semester – September 30
   • Winter Semester – January 31
   • Summer Semester – May 31
     
     
2. Set Up a Payment Plan or Pay Out-of-Pocket
   Until your appeal is reviewed and approved, financial aid will not be applied.
   You must either:
   • Enroll in a payment plan through MyOCC
   • Pay your tuition and fees in full to prevent cancellation
     
     
3. Monitor Your OCC Email & MyOCC Account
   You will be notified once a decision has been made. If your appeal is approved, your financial aid will be applied and any eligible charges may be adjusted or refunded.
   
   
4. Attend Your Classes!
   Do not stop attending or participating while waiting for the decision. Engagement matters—especially if your appeal is being considered.
   Important Reminder: If you don’t pay or set up a payment plan by the tuition due date, your classes will be dropped—even if your appeal is under review.

No. OCC Financial Aid Staff will determine based on the appeal. If an appeal is approved, a student will have a status of Academic Plan, which the student must follow in order to maintain financial aid eligibility.  

1. You are not eligible for financial aid
   This includes grants, loans, and work-study for the semester you appealed (and future semesters until you regain eligibility).
   
   
2. You are responsible for all charges
   If you still choose to attend classes, you must pay out of pocket or set up a payment plan with the college.

1. Continue Without Financial Aid
   • You may still attend OCC using personal funds and use the payment plan option.
   • Focus on improving your GPA and completion rate to meet SAP standards on your own.
     
     
2. Improve Your Academic Standing
   • Take a reduced course load you can handle successfully.
   • Use tutoring, academic coaching, and meet with your academic advisor regularly.
   • Pass your classes with a C or better to raise your completion rate and GPA.
     
     
3. Reapply for Financial Aid in a Future Semester
   • Once you meet SAP standards (GPA ≥ 2.00 and Pace ≥ 67%), you may regain aid without submitting another appeal.

Complete your classes at 100% with a 2.00 GPA or better for each semester.  You can not withdraw, fail a class, receive an N mark or an Incomplete grade. 

You will lose financial aid eligibility and be moved to a Loss of Eligibility Status (LOE). You will be required to submit an appeal.