Postsecondary Satisfactory Academic Progress

To qualify to receive financial aid, in addition to demonstrating need, a student must be making “satisfactory academic progress” as defined by federal law and determined by Tri-County.  This is true for all programs.  Federal regulations require that a qualitative measure be used as a yardstick to assess satisfactory academic progress for all students who receive financial aid.  Tri-County assesses students’ qualitative and quantitative progress on a regular basis dependent upon the program of study to determine if the students are progressing at a rate that will allow them to complete their course of study within the maximum allowed time frame.

Practical Nursing SAP

Students are expected to maintain their progress in three specific areas: attendance, theory and clinical experience.  In order to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress students need to maintain a 78% GPA at all times and remain within the 95% attendance threshold.  Students that fall below these levels are required to be placed on a plan for remediation and are considered to be on SAP Warning.

Cosmetology SAP

Students are expected to maintain their progress in three specific areas: attendance, theory and practical experience.

Theory: Students must maintain a 75% average on graded theory work.  Graded theory work shall consist of written or oral tests and quizzes as well as other projects as directed by the instructor.

Attendance: In order to meet SAP students are required to make up missed classroom time as soon as possible.  Students that are behind by more than 2 days at the end of a quarter are required to make up the missed time before the end of the ensuing quarter.

Practical: Students are required to meet the attached competency schedule on a quarterly basis.  Grading on this schedule is as follows I=introduced, P=Practicing and C=Competent.

Students that fall below these levels are required to be placed on a plan for remediation and are considered to be on SAP Warning.

SAP Warning

Students placed on SAP Warning receive formal notification. During the warning period, students remain eligible for Financial Aid. Students who do not meet specific program requirements by the end the next grading period will be terminated from the program.  

Informal SAP Appeal Process

Resolution of student’s concerns should be attempted between the student, instructor, staff member, or administration. If this cannot be resolved to a mutual satisfaction, or if the concerns are of a more serious nature, then a Formal Appeal may be initiated through the Student Grievance Policy detailed in the student handbook.