River Parishes Community College provides a comprehensive financial aid program funded by federal, state, and private agencies. Aid awards fall into several categories: grants, scholarships, and loans. For more information explaining the financial aid programs offered by RPCC, please visit the RPCC Financial Aid webpage.

Students are strongly encouraged to begin the initial process of applying for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. RPCC’s FAFSA school code is 037894. Students who wish to know more about their financial aid eligibility should contact the Financial Aid Office once their FAFSA has been completed and successfully submitted. To be considered for priority processing, a student must complete FAFSA by June 1 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester, and April 1 for the summer semester. Students receiving financial aid may be required to submit documentation to the Financial Aid Office if selected for verification. They also are required to declare a program of study and enroll in courses appropriate to that program.

All initial financial aid awards are based on full-time enrollment. Financial aid will be reduced or recalculated based on any changes in course enrollment. If enrollment is less than full-time, financial aid award amounts are prorated. Students who are less than half-time are not eligible for loans. The table below displays the enrollment levels considered for financial aid eligibility, and apply to all semesters (fall, spring, and summer).

• Full-time: 12+ credit hours
• Three-quarter time: 9-11 credit hours
• Half-time: 6-8 credit hours
• Less than half-time: 1-5 credit hours

Once receiving federal financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward completion of their degrees within a reasonable time frame to remain eligible for Title IV financial aid programs, including Pell and Federal Direct Student Loans. To maintain eligibility, students must:

1. Maintain a grade point average of 2.00
2. Pass at least 67% of all credit hours attempted
3. Not exceed 150% of the published length of their degree program

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is reviewed at the end of each semester by the Financial Aid Office for all students. Students who received aid the previous semester will be notified of their SAP Status. Failure to meet all three SAP requirements will result in the loss of all Title IV aid eligibility (this includes all federally funded aid). If extenuating circumstances prevent a student from meeting the requirements, a Financial Aid SAP Appeal may be filed. The Financial Aid SAP Appeal Form must be submitted with supporting documentation by the deadline given each term.

An Academic Plan is designed for a student who does not meet at least one of the SAP standards at the end of the previous semester and who’s Financial Aid SAP Appeal has been granted. The requirements within the Academic Plan must be met to retain eligibility for federal financial aid. Students must meet the standards of the Academic Plan each semester until all SAP standards are met. Not enrolling in college and then re-enrolling will not bring the student into compliance with the SAP standards and may require the student’s Academic Plan to be re-adjusted. At minimum, the Academic Plan will require that the student do the following:

1. Earn a GPA of 2.00 each payment period (semester)
2. Pass 75 percent of all hours attempted each payment period (semester)

Students may be required to meet additional requirements, such as taking specific courses and/or meeting with academic advisors.

To access the entire Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy please visit the RPCC Satisfactory Academic Progress webpage.