Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Financial Aid recipients are expected to successfully complete all the credits for which they receive aid and to make satisfactory progress towards their degree or certificate by achieving at least a 2.00 quarterly grade point average.  Credits are reviewed at the end of each quarter.  Courses are considered successfully completed when the student earns a grade of A, B, C, D or S.  Courses with grade of E, U, I, V, N, W, WI or Z will not be considered complete.

Financial Aid Warning

A student placed on Warning must  successfully complete all the courses in future quarters for which he or she receives aid.  Failure to meet this condition will result in Financial Aid Probation.

Financial Aid Probation

A student placed on Probation  must successfully complete all the courses in future quarters for which he or she receives aid.   Failure to meet these conditions will result in Financial Aid Suspension.

Financial Aid Suspension

Students who do not complete any of their classes in a given quarter may owe money back.  Any overpayments must be paid in full before financial aid can be reinstated or an appeal considered.

Students who are on Financial Aid Suspension may be considered for reinstatement of aid if they:

• Pay for and successfully complete five credits that apply to their program.  Upon completion of these credits, the student must request reinstatement of aid in writing; or
• Complete the appeal process,  explaining and documenting extenuating circumstances (beyond the student’s control) such as a serious illness or injury, death in family or household crisis.  Appeal forms are available on our website (see financial aid forms).

Academic Suspension

A student placed on academic suspension will also be placed on financial aid suspension.   Contact the Student Services Administration office regarding Academic Suspension Appeal procedures.  An Academic Suspension must be resolved first before a Financial Aid Suspension appeal will be considered.  See the College Catalog for additional information regarding Academic Review policy and procedures.

Grade Point Average

Students who have attended Tacoma Community College any 6 or more quarters (regardless if financial aid was received)  and enrolled in at least 15 college-level credits must have a 2.00 College-Level GPA to continue on aid.  Students with 6 quarters at TCC but less than 15 college-level credits must have a 2.00 Cumulative GPA.  Grade point average is reviewed at the time of awarding and whenever a student is placed on Suspension.

No Longer Eligible for Aid

A student is no longer eligible for aid at TCC when he/she has:

• Failed to achieve a cumulative or college-level cumulative grade point average of 2.00 after 6 quarters at TCC (see Grade Point Average for further details); or
• Received aid for the maximum number of credits allowed for the program of study; or
• Been funded for two programs.

Maximum Credits

TCC financial aid will fund up to 125% of the number of credits required for a certificate or degree.  For example, if a TCC degree normally requires 90 college level credits to graduate, students can receive aid up to 113 credits.  A student may petition to have up to 150% of the required credits.  An additional 45 credits are allowed for developmental courses necessary to enter a program of study.

All credits, regardless of whether they were taken while on financial aid, or credits removed from graduation credits under the Academic Forgiveness policy are used in calculating the maximum number of credits to be funded.  Transfer credits from other colleges that are accepted for use towards the TCC certificate or degree will also be counted. 

Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to focus on classes required for their degree program, limit their electives, and meet regularly with their academic advisor.

If you change programs, your attempted credit count will not start over. All previously attempted credits will count toward the maximum allowed for your new program of study. 

Degrees

A student must be working toward an eligible TCC degree or certificate to receive financial aid.  Aid will end once a student has completed all requirements for the degree or certificate.  Financial aid at TCC will fund one associate degree.  If a student completes an associate degree within the 125% limit, he may petition for financial aid funds for a second degree.  Aid for a 2nd degree will be limited to only those specific courses required to complete the second degree.  Students who have already acquired a bachelor degree may be eligible for limited funds.  Financial aid at TCC will fund an associate degree that does not duplicate general education credits earned in the 4-year degree.