SAP
So, I'm actually pretty upset right now. I was preparing for the upcoming semester over at College of Dupage only to find out the classes I had registered for couldn't be taken. I apparently didn't meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Satisfactory Academic Progress requires that a student takes at least 6 credit hours in order to receive their financial aid. It also requires that a student competes at least a 2.0 GPA. The same student is required to have completed at least 67 percent of attempted credit hours finished. Two semesters ago I had to file for an appeal in order to receive the financial aid that I needed (actually it was about 3 semesters ago now) and the committee that read it saw it in their hearts to approve my aid. I was extremely grateful and decided to put forth all effort in my classes.
I registered for math 0481, English Comp 1, as well as a theater class and an Anatomy class. All of which I passed with flying colors all but the anatomy class. I should have looked at www.ratemyproffessor.com because apparently it wasn't completely my fault.
The teacher (Mr.Ozarowski) always came to class unprepared. He would fiddle through folders and documents trying to figure out where to start. He would eventually remember that he posted something on blackboard (usually five or so minutes before that class started and everyone was pretty much unprepared) and we would begin. I thought I could keep up and with a catch up day nearing the end of the semester I struggled to contact him to find what I needed. No response. No success.
The financial aid department at the college told me that I needed to take another class to make up for what I missed and that I could try again next semester. I took two and had approximately a 3.0 grade point average by the end of the following semester. This helped me get to where I needed to be and in 2013 I began going to school full time at College of Dupage.
I was finally doing successfully. I had an two A's and two B's with one Math0482NET that I struggled with. So I desired to drop the class before any negative consequences occurred. At the end of the semester I had passed Theater 1121 with an A, Biology 1100 with a C and English Comp 2 with a B as well as an Improv Class with a B. This met their "2.0 GPA" requirement as well as the 68 percent term hour completion rate (actually 68 percent is what I had. You only needed 67 percent).
Now, I go online today to check my SAP status only to find out I got a DN. Meaning I will be denied financial aid for this semester which makes absolutely no sense because in the long run I'm the one who has to pay it back. I mean does that make sense? I reviewed their file requirements and apparently if you take the came class and receive a grade of B or better it wont apply to financial aid requirement. This sucks for theater majors.
As an actor when you're selected for a show you are required to sign up for the class. The class is theater 1100 for the first two shows and once you complete that class you have to sign up for theater 1121. I've been in 6 shows at College of Dupage. So, I signed up for the same class 2 more times that average. I was required to do paperwork for these classes (Character Analysis of 5 pages as well as a Reflective Journal).
Even with this in mind the college desires to deny me the right for assistance. They take away what I need only because I've taken the same class more than once but I've far beyond met their requirements. However I'm just going to look at this as an opportunity to improve. This isn't a failure to go to classes full time but rather an opportunity to grow in understanding of development. So, when I come back full time next semester I can come back swinging.
ACTORS BEWARE THOUGH! If you want to act apparently you cant do it in college. There's a limit to how many times you can act for a college or else they will deny you of assistance rather than making an exception for people with these skills. This is unfortunate because athletics and theater are the two areas in school that generate the most revenue. Hundred of people pile in an buy 12 dollar tickets to see the show all while students pay 143 to 460+ to be in the same show. So with that said I say this as I chuckle, keep doing what you're doing just don't do too much because apparently other people don't understand that YOU enjoy what you do and they don't.