Financial Aid SAP Appeal Process

Why do I need to Appeal?

Federal Regulations require students to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. These standards are:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
2. Maintain a completion rate of at least 66.67% (completed credits divided by attempted credits)
3. Graduate within the Maximum Timeframe (150% of the credits required to complete a student's current program) 

If you are not meeting all of these requirements, you will be suspended from financial aid and need to submit an appeal to be considered for future financial aid. 

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Reasons to Appeal

Federal regulations allow an institution to use professional judgment on a case-by-case basis to determine if an unusual or extraordinary situation affected the student’s progression towards successful completion of their program of study.

North Idaho College recognizes unusual and extraordinary situations do occur and therefore will allow SAP appeals for the following conditions:

• Illness or injury of the student or the student’s household
• Death of a family member (death certificate or Obituary 
• Interpersonal problems with family or friends, difficulty balancing responsibilities
• Financial difficulties
• Maximum Timeframe Students 

SAP status is calculated each semester and students are notified through their Cardinal Mail. Links to appeal forms can be found online through the student's MyNIC Account, then Self Service, then Financial Aid, then included in Complete Required Documents link under the Financial Aid Checklist.

Types of Appeals:

• Financial Aid Appeal Extension Request Form
• Financial Aid Broke Contract Appeal Form
• Maximum Timeframe Appeal Form
• Unsatisfactory Appeal Form

Appeals are reviewed within 10 business days by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee and notification of approval or denial are sent to the student's Cardinal Mail. Please be aware of financial aid SAP appeal deadlines on the college calendar.

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Approved Appeal

If an appeal is approved, the student will receive an e-mail via their Cardinal Mail which contains a link to an electronic Probation Contract. The student will need to complete the contract and submit any other required documents before financial aid is awarded. A probationary period is based on the stipulations set forth by the Appeal Committee. A student placed on Probation Status must adhere to the following conditions:

• Earn a minimum 2.00 grade point average (GPA) each semester. 
• Earn credit in ALL attempted classes, cannot have any withdrawals, incompletes, or grades of "F".
• Graduate on or before the appeal committee’s approved semester (approvals are for no more than 4 semesters, excluding summer sessions)
• Remain in the program listed on the appeal. (changing programs/majors will break a probation contract)
  Only take classes that pertain to the current degree as listed on the degree audit/My Progress Self Service page.

Please Note: Students who are on probation will be evaluated for SAP each semester to measure GPA, completion rate, and assigned graduation or transfer timeline.

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Denied Appeal

Federal regulations allow an institution to use professional judgment on a case-by-case basis when evaluating Satisfactory Academic Progress. If a student’s appeal is denied for lack of documentation or circumstances, the following options are available:

Reinstatement

A student that is making unsatisfactory progress and is ineligible for financial aid due to below minimum completion rate or GPA may enroll in subsequent semesters at their own cost. Financial Aid eligibility may be reinstated once all satisfactory academic progress minimum standards are met. A student’s eligibility will be automatically calculated at the end of each semester. 

Re-Appeal
A student may file an additional appeal if they can provide additional documentation or information to the Appeal Committee. The number of appeals allowed by the Appeals Committee may be limited if a student cannot provide additional supporting documentation.

Neither paying for one’s classes without financial aid nor sitting out for a term will restore a student’s satisfactory academic progress standing and is not sufficient to re-establish eligibility for financial aid funds.

Schedule A Meeting

Students may request to schedule a meeting with the Appeal Committee if they wish to discuss their denied appeal or present additional documentation. Please contact Cardinal Central to schedule an appointment at 208-769-3311 or cardinalcentral@nic.edu.

Please Note: North Idaho College wants all students to be successful and achieve their highest potential. Tutoring opportunities may be available to you through the College Skills Center (208) 769-3327. You may also receive disability support through Disability Support Services (208) 769-5947.