Because we are a clock-hour institution, it is necessary for program instructors to daily monitor and document the attendance of all students enrolled in postsecondary technical programs. Curriculum delivery and awarding terminal credentials and Occupational Completion Points (OCPs) to students are based on actual number of hours present in the classroom. Decisions to withdraw students for excessive time out of class will be based on the total number of hours absent from class, regardless of whether those hours were accumulated for tardies, absences, or a combination of both.

NOTE: Specific attendance policies may be required by individual programs to comply with Veteran benefits guidelines, State board rules, financial aid guidelines, and/or program standards. Students who are receiving aid and are withdrawn for nonattendance will automatically be declared unsatisfactory in their academic progress through a program, resulting in a suspension of financial aid. Such students may have additional consequences including a required repayment to Suncoast Technical College of any funds received for tuition.

NOTE: Individual programs may have stricter guidelines.

Attendance is an hour-driven process; absences from class are measured in 15 minute (1/4 hr.) increments. Full-time adult students receive 6 hours of instruction per day (M-F). Part-time adult morning or part time adult afternoon students receive 3 hours of instruction per day (M-F). Part-time adult evening students receive 4 hours or 5 hours of instruction per day (M-Th).

Students are responsible for knowledge of, and adherence to, the STC attendance policy and abiding by all associated guidelines. Just as employees might be expected to notify a supervisor or manager in the event of an absence from work, Suncoast students are expected to contact their program instructor on every occasion when absent from class.

• Students are expected to be on time and must notify instructors of any delays or absences.
• Tardiness or brief absences from class will be counted in 15 minute increments and deducted from a student’s clock hours.
• A student who does not report to school for 6 consecutive days and does not contact the instructor will be withdrawn.
• Students who enroll in a program after the original start date, during the 5 day Drop/Add period, will be penalized the number of hours they miss from the start of program.  For example, if a full-time student begins on day 3 of a program, he/she will have missed two full days, or 12 hours. Those hours will be counted as absences in the student’s attendance record.
• Dual enrolled students will not be penalized when mandatory high school testing requires them to miss time at STC.
• Students who are out of class for curriculum related activities, such as Career Technical Student Organization events will not be penalized for their absence.
• Students who are out of class due to a civic responsibility, such as jury duty, will not be penalized for their absence.

WRITTEN WARNING – 3% OF PROGRAM
Meeting between student and teacher to discuss excessive absences and consequences. Documentation placed into student folder – both in the classroom and in Student Services. Students with excessive absences can possibly lose financial aid/VA benefits and/or scholarships from community sponsors. Student is encouraged to check with Financial Aid Office.

WRITTEN WARNING – 7% OF PROGRAM
Requires conference with program manager to discuss excessive absences and alternatives to prevent them. Consequences are reviewed at this time. Students with excessive absences can possibly lose financial aid/VA benefits and/or scholarships from community sponsors. Student is encouraged to check with Financial Aid Office.

WITHDRAWAL – 10% OF PROGRAM
Accrual of 10% of a program's total scheduled hours will be the basis for a student to be removed from program. Documentation to Program Manager who will notify student that he/she is being withdrawn due to excessive absences.