Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) jeff

Federal and state regulations require that the College establish and implement a policy to measure Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completing the baccalaureate degree in nursing. 

All students are monitored for satisfactory academic progress regardless of their eligibility or intent to receive financial aid. The student's official academic record maintained by the Registrar is reviewed each semester to determine compliance with the SAP requirements. This policy applies to all enrollment periods whether or not students receive aid. Students not meeting the SAP requirements may lose eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. 

The standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) apply to the following financial aid program:

  • Federal Title IV Programs: Pell Grant, Direct Loan Program, and the Direct Parent Loan 
  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission Programs: Monetary Award Program
  • Veteran’s Educational Benefits: All Chapters and Post 9/11 Benefits
  • Institutional Aid: Lakeview College of Nursing scholarships.

Note: All students are required to meet the same "Minimum Standards" regardless of eligibility for Title IV funding.

Measurements of Standards are Qualitative and Quantitative

Transfer in credit hours completed at another institution and accepted at LCN will be counted as both attempted and completed credits. This positively affects the calculation of quantitative progress toward the nursing degree, allowing the student to enter the LCN program with a minimum of 60 successfully completed credit hours. The grades for transfer credit are not factored into the qualitative calculation for the term or cumulative GPA at LCN.

For a student to be in "GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING," the College will measure a student's progress based on two components reviewed at the end of each enrollment period.

  • Qualitative Measure (the grades a student must obtain in their coursework, minimum cumulative GPA)
  • Quantitative Measure (the Pace at which the student must be completing their Program of Study)

Qualitative Measure (GPA)
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale. All nursing grades and all semester hours count toward the student's grade point average in determining academic eligibility to remain enrolled. Students must successfully complete each course.

  • Successful course completion is 77% in all classes, except 85% in N311 Foundations of Professional Practice.
  • A student may only repeat a course in which they received a grade of "W" or a failing grade once. Students who have withdrawn from a course will be placed on academic probation/financial aid warning. Repeating a course does not remove the failing grade from the transcript. The second grade earned is calculated into the GPA. 
  • A student may not withdraw from more than two courses while pursuing a nursing degree. The student may not withdraw from a course if there is a Student Code of Conduct issue or a Grievance is pending or being investigated.

The student is required to meet the standards of the SAP Policy, or otherwise, eligibility to receive student financial aid will be placed in one of the following:

  • Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning status (the first time the minimum standards of SAP are not met)
  • Academic Dismissal/Financial Aid Suspension status (failure to meet progression standards)
  • Academic Probation/Financial Aid Probation status (if a student has a successful appeal and is readmitted)

Quantitative Measure (Pace)

Cumulatively, a student must successfully complete a minimum percentage of 67% for all credit hours attempted to stay on Pace for completing their program before reaching the maximum time frame allowed. Attempted credit hours include any credit hours in which the student was enrolled after the refund period.

Completing a minimum of 120 semester credit hours with at least 60 transfer credit hours in general education courses and 60 credit hours in nursing courses per the curriculum plan is required. All grades earned in courses a degree-seeking student takes at LCN will be used to determine academic standards.

The degree requirements must be completed within three consecutive academic years for a full-time student and six consecutive academic years for a part-time student. This timeframe is the maximum time allowed to complete the nursing degree. Completion time may vary for students changing from full-time status to any other status or withdrawing from courses. 

If a student accepts Federal Title IV aid for days attended during the refund period (tuition and fee charges are cancelled) but then withdraws from all credit hours, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. This action will not result in Academic Dismissal. However, a student must submit and have an approved appeal before aid eligibility can be reinstated.


Academic Probation/ Financial Aid Warning

Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning status occurs the first time a student fails to meet the minimum standard in the Qualitative or Quantitative components; the student must develop and follow an academic remediation plan. Students are notified by email and postal mail.

If a student is placed on Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning, they will still be eligible to receive Student Financial Aid for one more term without appealing the circumstances. 

Any student placed on Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning for unsuccessfully completing a course MUST take the failed course in the next semester it is offered (summers excluded).  A student required to repeat a course must do so at LCN. Courses taken at another college or university may not be used to repeat LCN courses unless specific approval from the Dean of Nursing is obtained.

Procedure for Academic Probation

The Registrar will notify the student of the Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning by e-mail with the required remediation requirements and financial aid implications. The Academic Probation will be noted on the student's transcript.

Remediation for Academic Probation: The student will receive an academic probation remediation form.  The student must develop and submit their remediation plan by the first day of the following semester. The remediation plan should have detailed action steps to help them be successful in future courses. 

Once the student submits the remediation form, the student's academic advisor, the college tutor, the remediation coordinator, and the campus lab coordinator will review the student's plan. The individualized remediation plan will be finalized, and the student must fulfill all plan requirements throughout the semester.

NOTE: Failure to meet the requirements may cause the student to be academically dismissed.

A student can return to “good standing” by meeting the minimum standards of GPA and Pace as described in this policy.

Academic Dismissal/ Financial Aid Suspension

The following are the criteria for an Academic Dismissal/Financial Aid Suspension:

  1. A student on Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning (below a 2.5 cumulative GPA) who does not show progression by raising their semester or cumulative GPA the next semester.
  2. A student who is unsuccessful in a course and fails the course again.
  3. A student who fails two different nursing courses.
  4. A student who has withdrawn from three different courses.

If minimum standards are not met upon the end of the student's next enrollment period, the student will be placed in an Academic Dismissal/Financial Aid Suspension status. A student placed on Academic Dismissal/Financial Aid Suspension is NOT eligible for Federal or State student aid. Financial aid can be reinstated if a student is successfully readmitted through the appeal process - which is a component of the Readmission Policy

A total withdrawal from all courses (a "grade" of "W" posted to the transcript) or total failure from all courses will result in Academic Dismissal/Financial Aid Suspension. 

Procedure for Academic Dismissal

The Registrar will notify the student by certified letter of the Academic Dismissal. The Academic Dismissal will be noted on the student's transcript. A student who has been academically dismissed is prohibited from enrolling in any courses and, therefore, is not eligible for federal, state, or institutional aid. If the student has pre-registered for an upcoming semester, they will be automatically disenrolled from their classes. The student will receive a refund for tuition and fees paid for a future semester. The student may reapply.

Readmission Policy

Students who have been academically dismissed or have withdrawn from the nursing program may apply for readmission under the following conditions:

  1. Minimum cumulative LCN GPA of 2.00 on a 4.0 scale (excludes students who did not complete the first semester).

  2. Application for readmission must be received within two calendar years of leaving the College. Academically dismissed students must wait one semester (including summer) before reapplying.

  3. Eligibility for readmission depends on the ability to complete program requirements within six years.

  4. The Admission Committee will review applications no more than twice. After two unsuccessful applications, students become ineligible for readmission.

  5. Applicants must review and meet technical standards, with or without accommodations.

  6. Readmission is limited to once per student.

  7. Students repeating a clinical nursing course must retake both theory and clinical components.

  8. Readmitted students must meet the following course progression requirements: 

  • Pass all previously failed or withdrawn LCN courses with 77% or higher.
  • Pass N311: Foundations of Professional Practice with 85% or higher.
  • Cannot withdraw from or fail any previously enrolled course.

  1. Readmitted students may withdraw from one new course. All other coursework must be passed with 77% or higher (85% for N311), adhering to the Student Academic Progression (SAP) policy.

  2. Students must meet graduation requirements at the time of graduation.

Note: Military students who withdraw due to service obligations are exempt from this policy.

Steps for Readmission  

The following items will be required when applying for readmission/student appeal:
1. Completed readmission application form.
2. Letter to the Admissions Committee requesting readmission, addressing:
a. Reasons for dismissal, withdrawal, and/or failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progess (SAP).
b. Personal behaviors and external factors for dismissal, withdrawal, and/or failure to meet SAP. These may include the death of a relative, injury or illness of the student, or other mitigating circumstances.
c. Reflection on previous academic improvement plans
d. What has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress?
Preparation during absence, such as:
• Healthcare work experience
• Coursework to improve weak areas
• Resolution of personal issues affecting performance
• Development of a detailed action plan
e. Detailed plan for implementing changes to promote success. Students needing access to their records (e.g., Academic Improvement Plans) for the readmission process should contact the Registrar. 
3. Signed confidentiality waiver form.
4. $100 non-refundable readmission fee (subject to change).
5. Successful completion of progressive readmittance testing.  
a. Dosage calculation exam
b. Concept map-care plan competency
c. Skill competency check-off
d. Comprehensive examination
6. Attendance at a formal interview.
a. The Admission Committee will email interview dates. Students are responsible for providing current contact information.

Students are notified via email and US postal mail of the Admission Committee’s decision which is final.

Readmitted Students

  1. It is considered an appeal approval for the reinstatement of Federal/State student aid regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status. Student Financial Aid status is Financial Aid Probation. 

  2. Must update their criminal background check and drug screen by the due date of their health records (see due dates in the Readmission Committee’s decision letter).

  3. Enrollment is contingent on clinical space availability. Students can be deferred for a future semester and do not need to reapply for readmission.  

 

Glossary of Terms:

Academic Dismissal/Financial Aid Suspension – A student who has failed to maintain minimum standards while on Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning.

Academic Probation/Financial Aid Probation  - A student has an approved Appeal for readmission to the College. Eligibility for aid may be reinstated for one payment period.

Academic Probation/Financial Aid Warning - the first time a student fails to meet the minimum standard.

Appeal – A student may petition for re-admission to the College by following the Readmission Policy.

Good Standing – A student meets the minimum standards for each enrollment period.

Minimum Standards - The student has a Cumulative 2.5 Grade Point Average and is staying on Pace with a success rate of completing all attempted credit hours within the published time frames of their program of study.

Program of Study - the educational program of study is nursing.

Qualitative Measure – the cumulative GPA, which reflects the quality of each student's grades.

Quantitative Measure – the component measures the amount of academic work a student completes on a cumulative basis for enrollment in a program of study within a specified timeframe. 

Remediation Plan – a plan to assist student success when placed on academic probation or readmitted to the nursing program.

Satisfactory of Academic Progress (SAP) - is a federal regulation  (34 CFR 668.34) establishing and monitoring minimum academic progress standards. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in their study to be eligible for financial aid. LCN has one policy that applies to all students.

Time of Completion - The maximum timeframe is 150% completion of the published program timeframe. This calculation considers all cumulative credit hours attempted, not earned.