Eastern Florida State College

Satisfactory Academic Progress–Credit Hour Programs

Students need to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible for federal aid and state aid. The SAP requirements are designed to keep students on track to complete their academic programs in a timely manner by achieving minimum academic standards.

Determining Satisfactory Academic Progress

Minimum Standards

  • SAP has both qualitative and quantitative standards.
  • All three of the following requirements must be met to maintain SAP eligibility:
  1. Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 (Qualitative)
    • The Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of all credit hour courses on a student’s EFSC transcript must be 2.0 or higher.
  2. Minimum 67% Completion Ratio (Quantitative)
    • The calculation for determining the completion ratio is: Total Credit Hours Earned/Total Credit Hours Attempted = Completion Ratio.
    • The Completion Ratio must be 67% or greater. Fractions of 0.5 and above are rounded up. For example, 66.7% is rounded to 67%.
    • Courses with a letter grade of A, B, C, or D or a grade of S for pass/fail classes are included in both Total Credit Hours Earned and Total Credit Hours Attempted. All other grades are considered unsuccessful attempts and are excluded from Total Credit Hours Earned but included in Total Credit Hours Attempted.
  3. Within Maximum Time Frame (Quantitative)
    • Students must complete their degrees or certificates within 150% of the published length of the program.
    • Once a student attempts 150% of the credit hours needed for his/her EFSC degree or certificate program, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid. For example, students in the 60 credit hour Associate in Arts program lose eligibility after attempting 90 credit hours.

Frequency of Evaluation

  • SAP is evaluated at the conclusion of each term (fall, spring, and summer) after grades are posted by the Office of Registrar.
  • SAP calculations are based on the student’s program of study at the time of the evaluation.
  • All periods of enrollment at EFSC count when assessing progress, even periods in which the student did not receive financial aid. Gaps in enrollment do not reset a student’s SAP status.

Course Incompletes

  • Incomplete grades are included in Total Credit Hours Attempted for the Completion Ratio.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and Developmental (Remedial) Credits

  • EAP and Developmental credit hours are included in the Completion Ratio and GPA calculations.  
  • EAP and Developmental credit hours are excluded from the Maximum Timeframe calculation.

Repeat Coursework

  • Only the most recent grade is included in the computation of the Minimum Cumulative GPA. Exception: if student repeats a course in which he earned an "A", "B" or "C", the first passing grade will be included.
  • All attempts of repeated courses are included in the Completion Ratio and Maximum Time Frame calculations.

Transfer Credit from Other Institutions

  • All transfer grades and credit hours accepted by EFSC are included in the Completion Ratio and Minimum Cumulative GPA calculations.
  • The acceptance of transfer credits is subject to EFSC’s admission and academic policies.

Transfer Credit from Other EFSC Programs

  • If a student changes majors or academic programs, all credit hours reflected on the EFSC transcript are still included in the Minimum Cumulative GPA, Completion Ratio and Maximum Time Frame evaluation even if classes do not apply to the new major or academic program.
  • Students who exceed the Maximum Time Frame due to a change of major may submit an appeal.

Withdrawals

  • All course withdrawals are included in Total Credit Hours Attempted for the Completion Ratio.