What happened – what has changed
If you have been denied Financial Aid due to not meeting SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress), you have the option of submitting an appeal in order to be eligible to receive financial aid.
Your satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeal explanation must include the following:
Explain what happened and when it happened
Why were you unable to complete your class(es) and/or maintain a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA?
Explain what has changed
What corrective measures have you taken or will you take to achieve and maintain satisfactory academic progress? (In other words, how are the issues you previously experienced no longer a problem and will not prevent you from being successful in future classes.)
If this is not your first appeal:
- Your explanation statement must include information about what has changed since your last appeal.
Tips for writing your appeal explanation statement
Admit the problem
Take a hard look at your situation to determine what has kept you from making satisfactory academic progress. Perhaps you need help with time management or study skills. Admit the problem and explain how you will get that help.
Note: Lack of awareness of withdrawal policies, requirements for satisfactory academic progress, and unpreparedness for college coursework will not be accepted as reasons for the purpose of an appeal and will automatically be denied.
Attach any relevant supporting documentation from an objective source.
This may include (but is not limited to) a letter from a mental health counselor, doctor’s statement, copy of hospital/urgent care/physician’s bill, obituary, funeral notice or death certificate.
Valid reasons for an SAP appeal
Valid reasons for an appeal include:
- medical emergencies
- severe health issues
- severe personal or family problems
- financial or personal catastrophe
SAP Appeal forms are available on the Financial Aid Forms page, and should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office at 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Review Process
The Appeals Committee reviews all submitted SAP appeals on a weekly basis. You will receive an email after your appeal is reviewed which communicates the Committee's decision or requests additional documentation. If you did not submit supporting documentation which directly relates to your appeal statement, the Committee will request additional supporting documentation.
Decision-making
If your appeal is approved, you will be on "Probation" for your next quarter of attendance with financial aid. Probation means you will need to successfully complete all of the credits you register for during your next (or current) quarter, and keep (or raise) your cumulative GPA above a 2.0. If you successfully meet the requirements of your probationary quarter, you will be back in good standing for the following quarter.
If your appeal is denied for lack of supporting documentation, you have options:
- You can submit documentation and have your appeal re-reviewed, and/or
- You can pay for your tuition and successfully complete all of your credits (while keeping your cumulative GPA above a 2.0) to earn reinstatement.
If your appeal is denied because the circumstances in your personal statement were not considered "unusual or extraordinary," you have options:
- You can submit a new appeal statement and relevant supporting documentation to include things you might have left out in your initial statement, and/or
- You can pay for your tuition and successfully complete all of your credits (while keeping your cumulative GPA above a 2.0) to earn reinstatement.
Questions? Contact us for more information at:
Email: financialaid@pencol.edu
Phone: (360) 417-6390
Fax: (360) 417-6395