The U.S. Department of Education requires ITCC to define and administer Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards for students receiving Title IV Federal Financial Aid. The College’s SAP policy for Title IV students is the same as or stricter than the school’s standards for students enrolled in the same educational program who are not receiving Title IV aid. Aid recipients must maintain sufficient progress to assure successful completion of their educational objectives as measured by quantitative and qualitative standards. The Financial Aid Office (FAO) is responsible for ensuring that all students who receive federal financial aid are meeting these standards.  Central Office Financial Aid Management Policies and Procedures Committee is responsible for conducting annual reviews of its SAP Policy to ensure federal compliance and dissemination to FAOs.

Qualitative Standard
All students are expected to maintain the academic standards outlined in the college catalog for ITCC.

Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)  
Non-remedial coursework assigned with a letter grade of A, B, C, D or F contributes to the cumulative GPA. Students who have 15 or more attempted credit hours (excluding remedial coursework) must maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average measured on a 4.00 scale at the end of each semester. Achieving a GPA of less than 2.0 will result in academic/financial aid probation the next term of enrollment. During the probationary period, the student must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 each term. The probationary status will be removed when the student's cumulative GPA is 2.00 or higher.

NOTE: Academic skills advancement classes/remedial coursework do not count in the GPA. Financial aid may be granted for up to thirty (30) credit hours of academic skills advancement classes/remedial coursework as long as the student is meeting all other standards. However, academic skills advancement classes/remedial courses are included in the quantitative calculation.

Quantitative Standard 
In addition to maintaining the specified grade point average, a student must complete his/her degree/certificate within a maximum time frame.

Maximum Time Frame
Students are expected to complete 67 percent of their cumulative attempted hours (including skills advancement courses). Completing less than 67 percent of the cumulative attempted hours will result in financial aid probation for the next term of enrollment. During the probationary period, the student must complete all (100 percent) hours attempted. The probationary status will be removed when the student completes 67 percent of their cumulative hours. Courses assigned a letter grade of A, B, C, D, F, I, S, U, V or W count in quantitative and maximum time frame calculation, as do transfer credits accepted toward degree programs and any repeated coursework. Enrollment status for financial aid is defined based on hours enrolled at the end of the College's 100 percent fee refund period. For example:

Students who are receiving financial aid are expected to complete all requirements for an Associate Degree or Technical Certificate within a maximum time frame of attempted program hours. A student reaches maximum time frame after having attempted the credit hour equivalent of 150 percent of the program hours required for the current degree or certificate. Financial Aid will be terminated when a student cannot finish the degree or certificate program within the maximum time frame. The student has the option of appealing the termination (see section under Appeal and Reinstatement).

Remedial/English as a Second Language (ESL)/Enrichment Coursework
Students may receive financial aid for up to thirty (30) credits of remedial coursework. The first 30 credit hours are excluded in determining maximum timeframe.  However, academic skills advancement classes/remedial courses are included in the quantitative calculation. English as Second Language (ESL) coursework is considered remedial coursework and is included in the quantitative calculation.

Transfer/Second Degree/ Second Major /Consortium Coursework             
Many students transfer to ITCC. Only the credits transferred in count toward the maximum timeframe; we do not count the grades on those transfer credits toward the qualitative measure.

Many students return to ITCC for a subsequent degree or certificate.  In many cases a portion of the earned credits from the first degree(s) count toward the subsequent degree.  This transfer of earned credits reduces the number of credits the student will need to earn in order to complete the subsequent degree objective.  Consequently, this also reduces the maximum time frame applicable to the subsequent degree.

In order to determine the maximum time frame for the subsequent degree, determine the number of credits in the subsequent degree program and multiply this figure by 1.5.  Determine the number of credits from the previous degree(s) that transfer to the subsequent degree. The transferred credits are subtracted from the calculated number (program credits times 1.5) that constitutes 150 percent of the subsequent program. The result is the student’s remaining maximum time frame eligibility for the subsequent degree.

Many students attend multiple institutions under a consortium agreement. When a student’s program includes attendance at multiple institutions, it is the responsibility of the college that provides federal student aid to track the student’s satisfactory academic progress.

Summer Semester
Coursework taken during the Summer semester is treated as any other semester and is counted in the qualitative (GPA), quantitative (completion rate), and maximum time frame standards along with the Fall and Spring semesters.

Academic Amnesty
Courses from a previous semester that are excluded from the GPA are not excluded in the quantitative calculation of a student’s SAP for Title IV federal financial aid programs.

Audited (AU) Coursework  
Audited coursework is not counted in the SAP evaluation.

Failing to Meet the Standards 
If a student has not met the minimum GPA requirement and/or has not completed the minimum credit hours, one of the following classifications will be assigned: Probation or Termination.

Financial Aid Probation     
Recipients who fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards by the end of the semester will be placed on probation for the following semester. During the term on probation, the student can receive financial aid with the understanding that he/she must meet the Standards of Progress by the end of the probationary term. Students are notified in writing by the FAO of their probationary status.

Financial Aid Termination
If a student fails to meet the quantitative and/or qualitative measure by the end of the probationary term, or if the student cannot receive a degree in the time frame allowed for the program of study, the student’s aid eligibility is terminated. At this point, a student is not eligible for any aid from the Financial Aid Office, including student loans. Students are notified in writing of their termination status.

Appeal and Reinstatement Options 
If financial aid eligibility has been terminated due to failure to meet qualitative, quantitative, and/or Maximum Time Frame, students may be able to submit an appeal to explain extenuating circumstances that contributed to their failure to meet the expected standards of SAP.

In addition, students may be able to increase their GPA by successfully completing courses without financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on financial aid appeal options. The Financial Aid Office will notify the student in writing of the Appeals Committee’s decision. The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.

Reports will be run each semester to determine Satisfactory Academic Progress for students receiving financial aid. Information concerning Satisfactory Academic Progress will be maintained on the student’s electronic file.

Costs Per Credit Hour
General fees are based on the number of credit hours for which the student has registered. Out-of-state students pay an additional fee per credit hour. For more information, see our current schedule of fees .

Federal Return of Funds
Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw or stop attending all classes before the 60 percent point in the term will owe money back to the federal government and/or Ivy Tech. More information on Federal Return of Funds.

Disbursement Procedures
If you are eligible for financial aid in excess of tuition, you may be eligible for bookstore credit for necessary books and supplies. Excess grant aid should be disbursed to you after the end of the refund period. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions about disbursement procedures for work or loan aid. If you receive federal financial aid, and you withdraw or stop attending all of your classes during a term, you may owe money back to the federal government.

Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance consists of the following base components: tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, room and board, and personal expenses. Adjustments may be made to the cost of attendance for students enrolled in distance education courses. Cost of attendance estimates vary depending on a student's enrollment level and living situation. Four enrollment categories are:

Enrollment Status Credit Hours

For students who live with parents and do not have dependents themselves, a lower cost of attendance is estimated for room, board, and personal expenses. When estimating your cost of attendance, keep in mind that living expenses are estimated and would be incurred regardless of whether or not you're enrolled in college.

Drug Conviction
An applicant loses eligibility for Title IV aid if the drug related offense for which the student was convicted occurred while the student was receiving Title IV aid. The student’s date of eligibility begins on the date of conviction.

If you have questions about any of the financial aid policies, please contact your financial aid office . You can also view current detailed information about your financial aid account at Campus Connect . All policies and procedures are subject to an ongoing review by the College. Changes are made when necessary to ensure that the needs of both the students and College are met. The College reserves the right to change policies and/or procedures at any time without notice.