Federal and State regulations require that Financial Aid recipients maintain satisfactory academic progress in their programs of study or they will be subject to financial aid probation or cancellation. The satisfactory progress policy applies to all quarters of enrollment at Columbia Basin College regardless of how tuition is paid.

Grade Point Average and Credit Load Requirements
To continue to receive financial aid, recipients must meet the following credit requirements by the end of the 5th day of the quarter and the cumulative, college-level grade point average (GPA) at the end of each quarter as stated in the chart below. Recipients must have no less than a 2.00 cumulative, college-level GPA at the end of their second academic year. The average number of credits that must be completed each quarter are 10 for full time (30 per year); 8 for ¾ time (24 per year); 5 for ½ time (15 per year); 1 for less than ½ time (3 per year) in order to complete the degree within the maximum timeframe allowed for federal aid.

If your Financial Aid   Enrollment Status is...	You will  be placed on Financial Aid probation1 if you earn...	Your Financial Aid will be cancelled2 if you earn...
Full-Time  (12 or more credits)	6-11 credits or Cum. College Level GPA less than 2.00	Less than 6 credits or Cum. College Level GPA less than 1.00
3/4-time (9-11 credits)	5-8 credits or Cum. College Level GPA less than 2.00	Less than 5 credits or Cum. College Level GPA less than 1.00
1/2-time (6-8 credits)	3-5 credits or  Cum. College Level GPA less than 2.00	Less than 3 credits or Cum. College Level GPA less than 1.00
Less than 1/2-time (1-5 credits)	Less than number of credits enrolled or Cum. College Level GPA less than 2.00	Less than 1 credit or Cum. College Level GPA less than 1.00

¹ A student on financial aid probation is eligible to receive financial aid during the probation quarter but (a) must complete the required credits per enrollment status and (b) achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative, college-level GPA.
²A student whose financial aid is cancelled may not continue to receive financial aid.

Reinstatement of Financial Aid
To regain eligibility, a student may complete #1 or #2 below:

1. 1. Re-enroll and successfully complete the number of credits enrolled during the quarter in which the financial aid was cancelled or a subsequent higher enrollment level and earn at least a 2.00 cumulative college level GPA.  During this subsequent quarter the funding for the student’s tuition and fees will need to be paid by a source other than financial aid.
   
2. 2. Complete and submit a Satisfactory Progress Petition Form* to the Director of Student Financial Services.  The student must explain and document the circumstances beyond his/her control which caused the failure to maintain satisfactory progress and that the circumstances have been resolved. If the student lost eligibility without extenuating circumstances beyond his/her control and due to current work, health, or family reasons should not enroll at the same enrollment level, reinstatement may be granted. If the petition is not approved, the student may either follow the process outlined in #1 above or request a meeting with the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. If approved, the student will be placed on probation or conditional probation.
   
3. A student may not petition for financial aid reinstatement more than twice.

A Student on Conditional Probation…

• Is placed on this status as a result of filing a petition form which is subsequently approved.
• Is eligible to receive financial aid during the conditional probation period.
• Must complete all credits as enrolled by the fifth day of each quarter and achieve at least a 2.00 or “P” in each class.  If any of these conditions are not met, financial aid will be cancelled.
• Can petition again only after making satisfactory progress on own. 
• Will remain on conditional probation until a cumulative college level GPA of 2.00 is achieved.
   

Maximum Duration of Financial Aid

• The maximum duration for Federal Financial Aid at CBC is calculated at 150% of the number of quarters expected for a full-time student to complete a degree or certificate program. For example, for an Associate of Arts and Science Degree, CBC would award a full-time student up to nine quarters of federal financial aid (6 quarters x 1.50 = 9 quarters).  
• The maximum duration for State Need Grants at CBC is calculated at 125% of the number of quarters it should take for a full-time student to complete a degree or certificate program.  For example, for an Associate of Arts and Science Degree, CBC would award a full-time student up to 7.5 quarters of State Need Grant funding (6 quarters x 1.25 = 7.5 quarters). 
• Transfer credits that are applied toward a degree or program are included in the maximum duration calculation. 
• A full-time student who completes a minimum of 12 credits a quarter should be able to complete a degree within the maximum time-frame (9 quarters).  The maximum duration for financial aid for part-time students is pro-rated according to their enrollment status.  For example, a half-time student can receive federal financial aid up to 18 quarters (9 quarters x 2 = 18 quarters). 
• Recipients will not be funded beyond the maximums unless the student has extenuating circumstances and petitions to the Director of Student Financial Services by using the Financial Aid Extension Petition Form*. 
  

Additional Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Information

• Only numeric grades of 0.7 to 4.0 or "P" letter grades count toward completed credits and satisfactory progress. Grades "0.0", "I", "N", "W", "Y", and “Z” do not count as completed credits. They don’t meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.  The credits are included in the maximum allowable timeframe.   Students with "I" grades must follow institutional policy to change the incomplete to a complete grade. Non-credit remedial classes are not degree requirements, do not count toward the student’s enrollment level, and do not apply toward Satisfactory Academic Progress.• The minimum number of credits earned each quarter must apply toward a degree or certificate or be required remedial courses at CBC.
• The minimum number of credits earned each quarter must apply toward a degree or certificate or be required remedial courses at CBC.
• No more than 45 credits of developmental education classes may be funded by financial aid.
• Students are encouraged to contact the Student Financial Services office prior to making a change in their enrollment status or if they are in danger of not making satisfactory progress so staff may provide options before the students lose their financial aid eligibility.
• If there is a change in the number of credits earned or grade point average, the probation/cancellation status may be changed when the student notifies the Student Financial Services Office of the change.
• Two program changes may be funded up to a maximum of 12 quarters of enrollment. Students may request an extension by submitting a completed Extension Petition Form*.
• Financial Aid may pay for repeat classes if a higher grade is necessary to fulfill degree requirements. However, taking repeat classes may result in failure to complete the degree or certificate within the quarter limit.  The highest grade earned will be used to calculate Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Student Financial Aid Regulations do not accept academic forgiveness/amnesty even though CBC has such a policy.

*The Financial Aid Extension Petition Form and Satisfactory Progress Petition Form are available in the Student Financial Services office and at www.columbiabasin.edu/finaid/forms.

Program /Policy/Procedure Change
Financial Aid programs, policies, and procedures are subject to change in order to comply with federal and state legislation and required regulations. The Director for Student Financial Services may use his/her discretion and professional judgment within federal and state guidelines in making exceptions to these policies based upon a student's individual circumstances and the probability of the student's academic success. While CBC strives to be student-centered in its decision making, ultimately, the College is responsible for disbursing financial aid funds in a judicious manner while complying with all federal and state regulations.