Satisfactory Academic Progress: Going Beyond Measurement to Forge Effective Campus Partnerships That Enhance Student Academic Success Deborah Lewis University of South Carolina at Columbia Krista Ringler North Carolina State University

Why Do We Have SAP Policies? Comply with federal guidelines Ensure students receiving federal funds are progressing toward a degree Assist students who have encountered academic difficulty

Why Do Students Not Meet SAP Guidelines? Academic Challenges Personal Challenges Financial Challenges Medical/Mental Challenges Social Adjustment Challenges

Student Is Not Making SAP. Now What??? Does the Financial Aid Office have an obligation to help these students? “The most moral thing we can do is help our students be successful.” Dr. Dennis Pruitt, USC Vice President for Student and Alumni Services. Is the Financial Aid Office equipped to help these students? If not, what can be done?

USC Columbia Experience Description of the Appeal Process (Places You Can Find Clues) Personal Letter Supporting Documentation Transcripts

USC Columbia Experience Assessment Stage One Content of Personal Letter / Supporting Letter What does the student reveal by way of needing assistances? –Disability Service? –Counseling Center? –Career Center? –Sexual Heath and Violence Prevention?

USC Columbia Experience Assessment Stage Two Transcript What type of academic assistance does the student need? –Academic Center of Excellence (Learning Centers) –Student Assistance Program Workshops –Tutoring –Supplemental Instruction –Advisors

USC Columbia Experience Academic Center of Excellence ACE created an Academic Plan solely for the use of Financial Aid’s Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must complete the “Learning and Study Strategies Inventory” (LASSI). Students must meet with an ACE consultant in order to assess the results of the LASSI and to create the Academic Plan. Through this process further referrals with other partners may be possible. Students turns in Academic Plan as part of the appeal package.

USC Columbia Experience Examples of Partnerships ACE – Learning Centers Disability Services Advisors Retention Services Counseling Center Career Center Supplemental Instruction Sexual Health and Violence Prevention –(including Safe Zone) Other programs that might assist student success

USC Columbia Experience Success Stories From Denial to Dean’s List ACE Accolades Disability Distinction

Who can we partner with? Retention Committees Supplemental Instruction Academic Success Centers Student Health Centers University Housing Residential Learning Initiatives Diversity Services

Who can we partner with? Student Affairs Counseling and Human Development Center Tutoring Services Disability Services Career Center Campus Advisors Network

Benefits of Partnerships Benefits to student Getting one-on-one help. Pin pointing the problem and getting specific help. Access to partners willing to help. Academic success.

Benefits of Partnerships Benefits to school Student’s academic success Higher retention rates Higher student satisfaction rate Communication Opportunities to assist the academic community in understanding SAP Example: web sites Students may reach a higher level of “connection” to campus

Benefits of Partnerships Benefits to Financial Aid Office Fewer repeat offenders SAP policy/appeal process that is more than punitive

Challenges of Partnerships Challenges for Students? Initial resistance Time Challenges for School? A Vision Personnel

Challenges of Partnerships Challenges for Financial Aid Office? Time developing partnerships Meetings Serve on committees More time Assisting students Assessing appeals Follow up with students Paperwork More follow up with students More record keeping

Group Activity Discuss your current appeal process/policies. How might they be modified for a mutual benefit for the student, your office and the school? Discuss resources/offices available on your campus that you are or are not using as a part of your SAP appeal process. Are there additional benefits or challenges to a collaborative approach on your campus not already identified in this presentation?