There are a number of requirements that must be met before a student is considered eligible for financial aid.

The student must:

• have financial need (except for unsubsidized student loans)
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non- citizen
• not be in default on a Perkins Loan, National Direct Student Loan, Stafford Loan, Guaranteed Student Loan, PLUS Loan, or Supplemental Loan for Students (SLS)
• not owe a refund on a Pell Grant or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• be making satisfactory progress (financial aid and academic)
• agree to use any federal student aid received solely for educational purposes
• have not completed a BA/BS degree (except for student loans)
• have a high school diploma, GED/proficiency certificate or pass the ability to benefit test
• be enrolled in an eligible educational program of study

Satisfactory Progress Policy

Selective Service Financial Aid Requirements

Male citizens of the United States and male immigrant aliens 18 through 25 years old must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System to be eligible for federal student loans and grants. Men can register at any post office, or register now online via the Selective Service website.

Federal regulations require that all students who receive federal aid make satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of their eligible program.

 American River College students are evaluated based on the following standards:

1. Maintain Progress - Complete at least 75% of units enrolled:

Progress Percentage = Total units with a grade of "F", "NC," "W," "NP", "IP" and "I" divided by the total units attempted. Non-completion percentage must be 25% or less.

2. Maintain a minimum of a 2.0 ARC Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
3. Total Units - Students may attempt up to 90 units toward the completion of a degree or certificate program. Students who have completed a degree, certificate or attempted 90 or more units will be denied financial aid. Units taken at other colleges or taken without the assistance of financial aid are calculated into the total number of units attempted. Up to 30 units of remedial coursework may be deducted from the total units accumulated.

Course Repetition: To determine the student's GPA, the most recent grade for a repeated course will be used. All units (both current and prior) from repeated courses are counted toward the maximum number (90) of units a student is permitted to attempt.

Academic/Progress Probation: Students who have successfully completed all prior semesters, but failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress in only one semester, may be placed on Academic/Progress Probation. Further deficiency will result in denial of financial aid. Students on probation must meet with an American River College academic counselor and develop an Educational Plan. This plan must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office.

Appeal Policy: Students who are denied aid due to Unsatisfactory Academic Progress are offered the opportunity to appeal the denial. Students who want to appeal must complete an Appeal Form and submit it to the financial aid office with a copy of a current Educational Plan from an American River College academic counselor.

If the appeal is denied, the student may submit a new appeal when the deficiency has been resolved.

Prior approval of an appeal does not mean that the deficiency will not be counted if lack of satisfactory academic progress continues.

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