The following standards apply to all course work undertaken at CMI whether or not the student was an aid recipient at the time the course work was completed. When a student returns to CMI (regardless of the length of absence), the academic performance of the student in previous periods of enrollment is evaluated according to current Financial Aid standards for satisfactory academic progress (SAP). SAP is checked on an annual basis for all continuing students receiving financial aid at CMI. Any student who is enrolled in an academic term and withdraws during the term or receives non passing grades at the end of the term will be subject to the Reinstatement Process.
These policies apply only to recipients of Student Financial Aid. All students at CMI are subject to the regular academic policies of CMI. The regular academic policies cannot supersede the financial aid SAP policies. These policies apply to all forms of Student Financial Aid administered by the CMI Financial Aid Office.
Students who are on financial aid academic probation, but approved for financial aid by the appeal committee, will be evaluated after the completion of each semester. All students on financial aid will be evaluated for SAP standards at the end of every semester, including summer.
Qualitative Progress
Students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 (“C” Average). All academically renewed and repeated courses are still counted toward cumulative GPA.
Quantitative Progress
Students must complete 67% of the credits attempted each semester at CMI. Failure to maintain 67% of total attempted credits each semester will result in denial of eligibility for Pell grant.
Time Frame
Students are limited to a maximum time frame on Student Financial Aid. The federal maximum time frame may not exceed 150% of the length of the program, but due to the complicated and erratic attendance patterns of many community college students, this time frame is expressed in maximum credits. Students who have completed a degree, or who have attempted more than 150% of their program’s required credits, will be denied Pell Grant aid. All credits completed at another college and all credits taken without the assistance of financial aid are calculated into the total number of credits attempted. Students enrolled in eligible certificate programs of less than 30 credits receive an SAP check at the end of each semester when grades have been posted. Up to 30 credits of remedial coursework taken at CMI may be deducted from the total credits accumulated. Students who have completed a degree must be in pursuit of a new program of study that differs from the original degree program completed.
Use of other college credit
The academic records of students who have attended other postsecondary institutions and whose records have been evaluated by CMI Evaluators will be reviewed to assist the financial aid office and/or appeal committee during the appeal process. Prior coursework may be calculated toward students’ maximum timeframe.
Reinstatement through academic improvement
Students who improve their academic record to meet the satisfactory standards for financial aid will be eligible for reinstatement of their student aid eligibility without the necessity of an appeal. That is, a student whose cumulative GPA returns to 2.0 (or better) may again receive student aid in the subsequent academic period if all other requirements are met. Students must submit a request in writing for SAP review when all credits have been posted to the academic transcript. This also applies to students who were previously denied through the financial aid appeal process.
Appeals
A student may appeal any denial or termination action described in these policies within 3 weeks after final grades have been posted at the end of each semester.
Appeal Process
An Appeal Form may be acquired by students who are denied aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress. A completed Appeal Form (with any appropriate supporting documentation) should be submitted within 3 weeks after final grades have been posted at the end of each semester, to allow time for processing of the appeal and for processing of aid if the appeal is granted. A student is urged to attach documentation to support claims of extenuating circumstances. All students must meet with an educational counselor to fill out and submit a Financial Aid Appeal form and Academic Plan. Students are strongly advised to provide documentation substantiating extenuating circumstances.
The appeal will be reviewed by at least two members of the Financial Aid Appeal Committee (or three if a tie needs to be broken). The committee will be authorized by the college’s Vice President for Business Affairs and Administration to approve or deny the appeal. The student will be notified of results via email and/or phone call. The decision of the Financial Aid Appeal Committee is final and not subject to further review.
If too much time passes, an appeal will become invalid if CMI has no discretion to approve aid after a certain date. CMI will work quickly through the various appeal levels, but there can be no guarantee of aid for a certain semester due to restrictions which are beyond the control of CMI. If an appeal decision cannot be made by the last day of the semester, the appeal will be rolled over for the upcoming semester within the same award year.
Copies of all paperwork involved in the appeal will be kept in the student’s Student Financial Aid record.
Grounds for Appeal
Each situation is unique. Federal regulation provides discretion to the Financial Aid Officers and other administrators at CMI to exercise their judgment on a case-bycase basis to approve or deny an appeal. CMI will consider circumstances beyond a student’s control (such as illness, injury, extreme family problems) when reviewing an appeal. When considering an appeal for student aid beyond the maximum time frame, CMI will consider the program of study, the student’s efforts toward finding employment, and the nature and quality of the previous degree or certificate. Each case will be reviewed on its own merits.
Student Responsibilities
It is a student’s responsibility to supply all documents requested in a timely manner and to complete all additional requirements and conditions.
