Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine - The First and Oldest Acupuncture School in Texas.

As a financial aid recipient, the student is required to maintain an acceptable grade standard. This is called the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, or SAP for short. This section describes the academic standing necessary to continue recieving financial aid. While some of this information is identical to the academic admissions policies, other additional policies may be in place. Please check the Current Students tab for information regarding our academic rules.

SAP Defined

All students are expected to maintain both qualitative and quantitative Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to advance through the program and graduate. Qualitative measures include Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Students must earn and maintain the minimum CGPA in the program and must meet minimum performance standards in all clinic phases.

Students who fail to meet the SAP standards may lose their eligibility for financial assistance. Academic performance in all trimesters of coursework must be considered in the calculation for Satisfactory Academic Progress, regardless of whether or not the student receives federal financial assistance each trimester. Students receiving federal financial assistance should consult with the Financial Aid staff to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Academic Probation

Students are reviewed for satisfactory academic progress at the end of each trimester. Students with a cumulative GPA of less than the stated minimum will be placed on Academic Probation. A financial aid recipient who is designated on Academic Probation will be allowed to receive federal financial assistance for the following trimester. During that probationary trimester, the student must remove the Academic Probation status by achieving grades that will raise his or her CGPA to the stated minimum. Failure to remove the Academic Probation status in the specified trimester will result in the loss of future financial aid.

Academic Suspension

Students who are on Academic Probation are reviewed for SAP at the end of each trimester. Two consecutive probationary trimesters will result in academic suspension of the student for the following trimester. This could result in a complete loss of their financial aid eligibility.

Appeals

Students wishing to appeal either their denial of federal financial assistance or their suspension for academic reasons must submit a written statement to the Academic Dean of the College. The letter should detail the specific reasons and/or circumstances that warrant the appeal. A statement simply requesting an appeal is insufficient. This letter should also state clearly whether the student wishes to let the case rest with the written appeal or with a personal appearance before the Academic Standards Committee. The appeal letter must be postmarked no later than 10 calendar days after the date of the suspension letter. The student’s case will be scheduled to be heard by the Academic Standards Committee.

SAP Appeal Form (the form is being updated. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you need assistance in this area)

Incomplete - TCTCM Policy on Finishing Incomplete Didactic Courses

If didactic coursework has not been completed due to illness, family emergency, unsatisfactory attendance or other event determined by the course instructor to constitute an excusable absence, an “Incomplete” (“I”) will be issued for that course by the instructor. The student has until the end of the trimester in which that course is next offered to complete the required coursework. If the student fails to complete the coursework in that period of time the “I” grade will be converted to an “AW,” Administrative Withdrawal. Students who are withdrawn from courses by the administration will be required to register for, pay for and take the course again in order to receive a valid grade. If the incomplete changes to AW, the student may have to repay the financial aid recieved for that course.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from a Course

For financial aid purposes, student must maintain a minimum of 17 hrs to receive full time loan amounts. If, for any reason, a student withdraws from courses and drops below 17 credit hours, the school will notify the student of their responsibilities under Title IV. At that time, the student will have to return a portion of the money back to the lender according to Title IV requirements.

Withdrawal from the School

If a student needs to withdraw from school for any reason, the student must send a letter to the Registrar requesting withdrawal from the school. In accordance with Federal Policy, TCTCM will have the student complete a return of Title IV form. The student will be responsible for returning any necessary tuition refunds back to the lender.