FINANCIAL AID at GCCC

Standards of Academic Progress
For Students Receiving State and Federal Financial Aid

Grade Point Average  1-15 credit hours attempted must have 1.50> GPA
                                16-29 credit hours attempted must have 1.75> GPA
                                30 or more credit hours attempted must have 2.0> GPA

Completion Rate  A minimum of 67% completion rate on all attempted hours (12 hours attempted multiplied by 67% = 8.04 hours completed)

Maximum Credit Hour Limit  Students who have attempted in excess of 150% of the required hours to complete a program (90 hours for 60 hour programs) will be ineligible to receive financial aid.  Students are allowed to change their major only once while receiving any type of federal or state need-based aid. 

Students receiving any type of federal or state need-based financial aid are required to meet certain standards of academic progress.  The standards for aid recipients are different from the institutional academic standards of progress.  This is to ensure that federal funds are awarded to those who will benefit from them.  The exact "Standards" are listed above however, as a general rule, a financial aid student who maintains a 2.0 GPA and completes 67% of all credits attempted (including transfer) will maintain eligibility for financial aid.

Students requesting a Stafford Loan must have a 2.0 GPA (including transfer credits) and have a minimum 67% completion rate to apply and/or maintain eligibility for the loan (NO EXCEPTIONS!).  

A student who loses eligibility has an opportunity to appeal through an appeals process. The appeal must be submitted to the Financial Aid Specialist. Students must provide sufficient documentation to support the appeal. Documentation will vary depending on the circumstance, but could include letters from counselors, physicians, family members, death certificates, etc.  If it is necessary to appeal, you must request an Appeal Form from the financial aid office.  As you apply for financial aid for each new year, you will be sent a notice if you are not meeting the standards!  You must respond immediately to the request.  

Your progress is evaluated after each semester and a decision will be made by a committee to accept or deny your appeal.  Contact the financial aid office if you have questions!