From
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
Time to Complete
California Institute of Applied Technology’s Applied Bachelor’s Degrees are 130 semester hours which the student should complete within 175 academic weeks. Associate of Applied Science degrees are 64 semester hours which the student should complete within 85 academic weeks. Our Certificate in Computer Information Systems (CCIS) program is 36 Credit hours that the student should complete within 45 academic weeks (90 academic weeks for part-time students). The actual calendar weeks will be more, depending on the number of break weeks (Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year) that occur during the student’s Program. Other sub-sets of our basic Certificate Program are offered with varying amount of clock hours for the student to complete, again within a maximum of five weeks for each full-time course taken (10 weeks for each part-time course). And a maximum of 5 days are allowed for grading of assignments in a distance education course.
Measuring Satisfactory Academic Progress
All students enrolled in CIAT Certificate and Degree programs are required to make quantitative and qualitative progress toward their program completion.
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Quantitative Progress is measured by the pace of successful credits completed each semester. All students must complete their program within 150% of the program length. Depending on the program, the 150% will be calculated.
- BACIS/BASD: To be making satisfactory academic progress, a student must attend 7.3 credit hours on a cumulative basis during each evaluation period.
- AASCIS/ASD/AASBDA: To be making satisfactory academic progress, a student must attend 7.6 credit hours on a cumulative basis during each evaluation period.
- CCNP-ENT/CCIS/CCA/CNT/CCT: To be making satisfactory academic progress, a student must attend 8 credit hours on a cumulative basis during each evaluation period.
- CCNA: To be making satisfactory academic progress, a student must attend 150 clock hours on a cumulative basis during the evaluation period.
- Qualitative Progress is measured by the cumulative GPA earned each semester. All students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale to maintain eligibility to graduate from their program.
A schedule for the student is established at the beginning of any program. There are three (3) five-week terms in a semester evaluation period. At the conclusion of each semester period, a student’s grades and progress are evaluated. If a student fails to meet the quantitative or qualitative progress requirements listed above, the student will be assigned one of the following three SAP statuses:
Stage 1: Warning
If a student fails to meet the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), the student is placed on a Warning status for the next semester. A Warning status does not impact a student’s academic standing, future course registration, or tuition funding. Rather, it is utilized to remind students about CIAT’s academic requirements. A registration hold will NOT be placed on the student record. The student will be advised to reserve an academic counseling session to receive extra help and support throughout the next semester.
Stage 2: Probation
At the completion of the second subsequent semester, if a student fails to meet the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), the student will be placed on Academic Probation. A student must attend an academic counseling session, a financial consultation, and submit a written appeal to continue with the program. A registration hold will be placed on the student record until these support measures have been completed. At this stage, the student is at risk of losing access to federal tuition funding, including government grants, loans, and/or military benefits, if their SAP status at the end of the next semester does not improve.
Stage 3: Financial Hold
At the completion of the third subsequent semester, if a student fails to meet the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), the student will be placed on a Financial Hold and will be unable to continue their program utilizing federal funding, including government grants, loans, or veteran benefits. A registration hold will be placed on the student record until a secondary funding source has been arranged. If a student successfully meets the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the fourth subsequent semester, the financial hold will be lifted, and the student will be eligible to regain federal funding.
Incomplete grades are not given, and students must repeat any classes in which they earn less than a 60% (below D-) average. Students may repeat any classes in which they earned less than 70% (C-). If a course is repeated within the same program of study and earns a passing grade, the lowest grade will be excluded from the student’s GPA calculations. Repeated courses may adversely affect a student's satisfactory academic progress in terms of the maximum time frame. Students who withdraw from the program will receive a grade of 0% in each class interrupted by the withdrawal. All interrupted classes must be repeated upon readmission to the institution.
Students receiving VA educational benefits will be discontinued when the veteran or eligible person ceases to make satisfactory progress at the end of Academic Probation.
Appeal Process
A student placed on academic probation must submit a written appeal to continue with the program. This step in the academic support process is designed for CIAT to evaluate your readiness and commitment to continuing with your education and identify areas where our Student Success team can help you get back on track.
Your appeal letter will be reviewed by our Student Services Director. If approved, you’ll be required to improve your academic performance by the end of the following semester evaluation period. If you do not meet the minimum academic requirements by the end of your next semester evaluation period, you may be at risk of academic suspension and/or loss of access to federal funding (Title IV grants, loans, military benefits, etc.). The student will be sent the written decision within ten days of the Institute’s receipt of the appeal.
Students reinstated upon appeal are on probationary status for the next evaluation period, during which time they must meet the terms and conditions set out in the academic advising sessions. At the end of the evaluation period, and at the end of every evaluation period thereafter, the student’s academic status will be reviewed. The student may continue on probation as long as they meet the terms of the academic plan approved at the time the student’s appeal was granted, until such time as satisfactory academic progress status is regained. If the student does not regain satisfactory progress status by the subsequent semester, the student will be unable to continue their program utilizing federal funding.”
to
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
Time to Complete
California Institute of Applied Technology’s Applied Bachelor’s Degrees are 130 semester hours which the student should complete within 175 academic weeks. Associate of Applied Science degrees are 64 semester hours which the student should complete within 85 academic weeks. Our Certificate in Computer Information Systems (CCIS) program is 36 Credit hours that the student should complete within 45 academic weeks (90 academic weeks for part-time students). The actual calendar weeks will be more, depending on the number of break weeks (Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year) that occur during the student’s Program. Other sub-sets of our basic Certificate Program are offered with varying amount of clock hours for the student to complete, again within a maximum of five weeks for each full-time course taken (10 weeks for each part-time course). And a maximum of 5 days are allowed for grading of assignments in a distance education course.
Measuring Satisfactory Academic Progress
All students enrolled in CIAT Certificate and Degree programs are required to make quantitative and qualitative progress toward their program completion.
- Quantitative Standard/Pace of Progress is (completed ÷ attempted credits), and Maximum Timeframe (150% rule). All students must complete their program within 150% of the program length. Depending on the program, the 150% will be calculated.
- Qualitative Progress is measured by the cumulative GPA earned each semester. All students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale to maintain eligibility to graduate from their program.
If a student fails to meet the quantitative or qualitative progress requirements listed above, the student is classified as: “Not Meeting SAP” (This classification is determined at the end of the semester and does not yet change the student’s SAP status or Title IV eligibility).
Stage 1: SAP Warning Status
If a student is determined to be Not Meeting SAP at the end of an evaluation period, the student is placed on SAP Warning for the following semester. During the SAP Warning semester:
- The student remains eligible for Title IV financial aid.
- The student must improve academic performance to meet SAP by the next evaluation point.
Example:
- Semester 1: Student fails SAP → Status: Not Meeting Sap
- Semester 2: Student is placed on SAP Warning
A Warning status does not impact a student’s academic standing, future course registration, or tuition funding. Rather, it is utilized to remind students about CIAT’s academic requirements. A registration hold will NOT be placed on the student record. The student will be advised to reserve an academic counseling session to receive extra help and support throughout the next semester.
Stage 2: SAP Suspension
If, at the end of the SAP Warning semester, the student still does not meet SAP requirements, the student is placed on SAP Suspension and becomes ineligible for Title IV financial aid.
OR SAP Appeal & SAP Probation
A student on SAP Suspension may submit a written SAP Appeal. If the appeal is approved:
- The student is placed on SAP Probation for one semester
- The student regains Title IV eligibility for that probationary period
- The student must meet SAP by the end of the probation term or follow an approved academic plan (if applicable)
Failure to meet SAP during the probation period of academic plan results in returning to SAP Suspension.
Stage 3: Financial Hold
At the completion of the third subsequent semester, if a student fails to meet the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), the student will be placed on a Financial Hold and will be unable to continue their program utilizing federal funding, including government grants, loans, or veteran benefits. A registration hold will be placed on the student record until a secondary funding source has been arranged. If a student successfully meets the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the fourth subsequent semester, the financial hold will be lifted, and the student will be eligible to regain federal funding.
Incomplete grades are not given, and students must repeat any classes in which they earn less than a 60% (below D-) average. Students may repeat any classes in which they earned less than 70% (C-). If a course is repeated within the same program of study and earns a passing grade, the lowest grade will be excluded from the student’s GPA calculations. Repeated courses may adversely affect a student's satisfactory academic progress in terms of the maximum time frame. Students who withdraw from the program will receive a grade of 0% in each class interrupted by the withdrawal. All interrupted classes must be repeated upon readmission to the institution.
Students receiving VA educational benefits will be discontinued when the veteran or eligible person ceases to make satisfactory progress at the end of Academic Probation.
Summary of SAP Status Progression
Evaluation Outcome Next Semester SAP Status Title IV Eligibility
Fails SAP (GPA or Pace) Not Meeting SAP (evaluation only) Eligible
Following semester SAP Warning Eligible
Fails SAP again after Warning SAP Suspension Not Eligible
Appeal Approved SAP Probation Eligible for one term”