Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements
Minimum Standards & Practices
Beginning July 1, 2011, the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards will change in accordance with new federal regulations.
ϱ is required by Sec. 484(c) of the Higher Education Act 1965, as amended to establish Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for students receiving assistance through Title IV programs (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study, State Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loan Programs.) ϱ has adopted the following as its official policy governing a regular student’s satisfactory academic progress.
Satisfactory progress is not to be confused with “good standing”. A student can meet the ϱ standards of "good standing" and be allowed to enroll but may not meet the minimum standards of "Satisfactory Progress" to receive financial aid while enrolled.
Grade Point Average and Completion Rate
To receive Title IV funds (Federal Direct Loan, Plus Loan, Pell Grant, Work-Study, State, or Supplemental Grant), a student must be making “satisfactory academic progress” toward completing his/her academic program.
For purposes of this standard, students must maintain a 2.0 undergraduates (3.0 graduate) cumulative grade point average (GPA) and successfully complete 67% of all hours attempted, including repeated courses, dropped courses, withdrawals, incompletes, and F/FA grades.
This standard is measured annually and begins immediately for graduate students and at the end of the first year for undergraduate students. Satisfactory Academic Progress will also be checked any time you make application for additional aid.
Maximum Eligibility
In addition to the above measures, the maximum length of a student’s program may not exceed 150% of the minimum length required to complete the program. The academic records office according to the published standards in the University Bulletin establishes the length of each program. Courses, which transfer from another post-secondary institution, will reduce the time frame accordingly.
Examples: (1) If your degree is a 120 hour program: 120 x 150% = 180 attempted hours maximum time frame. You are eligible for only the first 180 hours attempted. (2) If you transfer and bring 70 hours credit into a 120 hour program: 120 x 150% = 180 – 70 = 110 hours maximum time allowed for degree funding.
However, if at any point it’s determined the student will not be able to meet the 150% time frame by graduation, the student becomes ineligible for federal aid.
Example: a student has already attempted 170 hours and is in a program that has a 180 hour maximum, but still has 30 hours left to complete the program; the student will not be eligible for federal aid because the program cannot be completed within the 180 hour time frame (170 + 30 = 200).
Second Degree Issues
Students who are working toward a degree level which they have already completed (AS, BS, MS, etc.) or who are working toward a degree which is lower than the one they hold, will have their maximum length of program established at no more than 150% of the normal time frame minus any credits, which transfer from any post-secondary institution.
However, if at any point it is determined the student will not be able to meet the 150% time frame by graduation, the student becomes ineligible for federal aid.
Preparatory Coursework
A student may apply for a Federal Direct loan for prerequisite coursework that is necessary to be admitted in an eligible program. The courses must be part of an eligible program offered by ϱ. If enrolled at least half time in these prerequisite courses, the student is eligible for loans for one consecutive 12-month period (not per program) beginning on the first day of the loan period.
Example: a student has a bachelor’s degree with a major in mathematics and wants to enroll in a graduate computer science program but needs 12 more semester hours of computer science coursework to meet the admission requirements. The student may receive a Federal Direct loan if enrolled at least half time in undergraduate prerequisite courses that are required for enrollment in the graduate program.
Notification and Reinstatement
A student who is notified of his/her ineligibility for financial aid funds due to failure to meet these standards may submit a written letter of appeal for reinstatement. The written letter must state the basis for the appeal and include a copy of his/her current academic transcript along with supporting information. All documentation submitted must be original documents; faxed or photocopied appeals will be denied automatically. All letters written on your behalf must be notarized and be on official letterhead. Submission of this appeal does not guarantee approval. If you enroll in classes before your appeal is reviewed, you are responsible for payment of tuition and other education expenses out-of-pocket.
Financial Aid Suspension
Financial Aid Suspension status is assigned to a student who fails to make SAP. A student who is placed on Financial Aid Suspension may only receive financial aid if the student re-establishes eligibility by meeting the standards set forth in this policy.
Financial Aid Probation
Financial Aid Probation is assigned to a student who fails to make SAP and who has successfully appealed and has had financial aid reinstated. A student who is placed on financial aid probation may receive financial aid for one term/semester. At the conclusion of the term/semester, if the student meets the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student will be eligible for financial aid reinstatement.
If the student fails to meet overall Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the probation, the student’s academic performance for the term/semester will be evaluated against the student’s Financial Aid Probationary Academic Plan.
The Financial Aid Probationary Academic Plan requires that the student:
- Must be at least half-time and have completed 100% of those classes for credit
- Must have a grade point average of 2.0 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students
- Must not withdraw, drop, or have an incomplete during the probationary term/semester.
If you do not meet the above requirements, you will be ineligible to receive financial aid until you meet the satisfactory academic progress standards. No additional appeals will be accepted for failing to meet the Financial Aid Probationary plan. Also, the student is responsible for their bill for classes and other charges.
The student is responsible to contact the financial aid office after the grades are transcribed by the records office for the probationary term/semester to request a SAP reevaluation for eligibility for financial aid for the next term/semester. Due to time requirements for the records office to add the grades to the transcript, the student will not be able to apply for book vouchers and should be prepared to purchase their books for the subsequent term/semester.
The professional financial aid office staff will review each appeal and respond to the student in writing stating the reason for reinstatement or upholding the denial of financial aid. If your appeal is denied, the decision of the appeal committee is final. If the student is enrolled in classes during the appeal and is denied, they are financially responsible for the payments for the classes and other charges.