In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, students must show that they are making progress towards the successful completion of their degree. Whittier College defines this progress as the completion of at least 12 units per semester (fall and spring) with a semester and cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or greater. Finally, students must complete their degree program within ten (12 unit) semesters. It is important to note, however, that SAP compliance is only checked twice per year: immediately following the fall and spring terms. Students wishing to have their compliance evaluated at any other time must file a formal appeal with the Office of Financial Aid.
12 units completed per term with a 2.000 or higher term and cumulative grade point average.
Because of federal regulations, a student’s SAP status is determined independently of their academic standing with the College. In some cases, a student may be academically qualified to return to campus but not eligible to receive financial aid.
Your status is available online via your my.whittier.edu portal.
Students who do not meet SAP standards indicated above will receive a Financial Aid Warning. The Financial Aid Warning period lasts for one term only (fall or spring). Students will continue to receive financial aid during the Financial Aid Warning period. Students will receive written information detailing their warning period. Students are responsible for maintaining SAP even if their warning letter is not received. A student who is maintaining cumulative standards but has not met the term standards for two consecutive terms, will also be placed on Suspension.
A student who falls below the SAP standards after the Financial Aid Warning period will have all forms of financial aid terminated and will lose eligibility for financial aid in future semesters. In some cases, aid from a previous semester that has not yet disbursed may also be cancelled. A student may regain eligibility by complying with SAP standards including raising his or her cumulative grade point average and completing the necessary units. In some cases, a student may still be eligible to enroll at Whittier College, however, financial aid will not be available during this time. The Financial Aid Office does not guarantee that previously awarded financial aid will be available for students who lose and regain financial aid eligibility.
A student who wishes to present extenuating circumstances as a reason for not maintaining satisfactory academic progress may appeal the suspension decision in writing to the Office of Financial Aid by utilizing the SAP Appeal Form. The form must be completed, signed and returned to the Office of Financial Aid at least 10 days before the start of the next term. Extenuating circumstances will not necessarily lead to a reinstatement of financial aid. All appeal responses will be in writing and will be considered final. Some appeals may be approved with special conditions or probationary conditions attached. Please note, we are unable to consider appeals if you have also been academically suspended from further attendance at Whittier College.
Please note that Tuition Remission and Tuition Exchange awarded by Whittier College may have different requirements for continued participation. Students are encouraged to work with Human Resources to determine renewal procedures and progress policies.
When a student transfers to Whittier, the Registrar Office reviews the individual’s previous course work to determine the total number of units that will be accepted for transfer from the other institution. The total number of transfer units accepted will be equated to a calculated number of semesters completed. This semester count will be used in determining the maximum semesters allowable.
Incompletes are not considered as credits earned and are not included in meeting satisfactory progress guidelines. Repeat courses may be included to meet the credit requirements, although students must keep repeat courses at a minimum in order to complete their degree within the maximum number of semesters.
Whittier College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy applies to all students who are receiving any form of financial aid including grants, scholarships, veteran’s benefits, work study and loans from the college, state government, federal government and some private organizations. This policy may be changed at any time in accordance with federal regulations. Questions about Whittier College’s policy should be directed to the Director of Financial Aid.
Yes. You are still eligible to receive financial aid.
No. Students who are suspended from financial aid eligibility are unable to receive Federal Direct Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Carl Perkins Loans and Whittier Loans. Students may still receive most forms of private or alternative loan funding. In some cases, however, your lender may require Whittier College to report if you are meeting SAP standards that either the lender or the College has set.
Yes. You may appeal your suspension from financial aid programs due to SAP compliance by completing the SAP Appeal Form available in the Financial Aid Office. Your appeal will only be reviewed if you are in good academic standing with the College. If you have also been suspended from further attendance at Whittier College, you will need to clear your academic suspension prior to submitting an appeal with the Office of Financial Aid. It is important to note that clearing your academic suspension does not automatically clear your financial aid suspension. In some cases, a student may be academically qualified to return to campus but not eligible to receive financial aid.
There are several factors that can assist you in regaining financial aid eligibility:
