Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, is a set of academic standards you must meet to continue receiving federal financial aid. These standards are put in place to ensure that you are making steady progress toward completing your degree.

Why is SAP Important?

If you do not meet the SAP standards, you could lose your eligibility for financial aid, which may impact your ability to pay for school.

The following components are evaluated at the end of each semester.

1. You must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
2. You must successfully complete a cumulative 2/3 (67%) of all credits for which they enroll.  For example, a student enrolled for a total of 30 credits over the course of an academic year must complete a minimum of 20 degree credits.
3. You may not enroll for more than 150% of the number of credits needed to complete your degree. 

Your academic progress is reviewed at the end of each semester.

If you do not meet the SAP standards, you may be placed on financial aid warning, probation, or suspension.

What Happens If You Don’t Meet SAP?

• Warning: If you are placed on financial aid warning, you still receive aid for the next semester, but you must improve your academic standing to continue receiving aid.
• Probation: If you fail to meet SAP after a warning semester, you may appeal for probation. If approved, you must follow an academic plan to improve your academic performance.
• Suspension: If you do not improve your academic performance, your financial aid may be suspended.

How to Appeal SAP Suspension:

• If you believe there were circumstances beyond your control that affected your academic performance, you may file an appeal.
• Typically, appeals require documentation supporting your case and an academic plan outlining how you will improve your progress.

Tips for Maintaining SAP:

• Stay Organized: Keep track of important deadlines and requirements.
• Seek Help Early: If you're struggling academically, seek help from academic advisors or tutors.
• Plan Ahead: Work with an academic advisor to plan your course schedule and track your progress.
• Monitor Your Progress: Regularly check your GPA and completed credit percentage to ensure you are meeting SAP standards.

If you do not meet SAP, you’re given the opportunity to appeal the loss of financial aid by addressing the cause and issues with your academic progress as well as working with an academic counselor to create an academic plan to make sure you see success in the future!

If you have justifying circumstances that led you to not meeting minimum academic requirements, we would encourage you to appeal. Examples of justifying circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Medical illness or injury
• Death of a family member
• Personal difficulties
• Military Services
• Family circumstances
• Financial difficulties
• Difficulties managing priorities

Required Appeal Documents

Submit the SAP Student Appeal Form in your CampusLogic account. Once in your CampusLogic account, select the SAP Appeal form tile and then click on view form. You’ll see the SAP Student Appeal eForm listed.

Meet with an academic counselor to discuss resources and create an academic plan to guide your future academic success. 

Not meeting SAP means you are not eligible for financial aid without an approved appeal and financial aid is not retro-active if you choose not to appeal or your appeal is not approved before the semester ends. We will notify you of the results of your appeal within 2-4 weeks of the receipt of BOTH student and advisor forms.

We encourage you to appeal, but if you feel there’s a barrier to the appeal process, you have the following options:

• If you did not meet the GPA requirement, bring your cumulative GPA up to a 2.0.
• If you did not meet the 2/3 completion rate, enroll and complete a high enough percentage of your classes to bring your cumulative rate up to 2/3 (67%).

Once you make up your deficient GPA and/or increase your completion rate notify our office.

Not meeting SAP means you are not eligible for financial aid without an approved appeal and financial aid is not retro-active if you choose not to appeal or your appeal is not approved before the semester ends.

If you continue to enroll in classes while not meeting SAP, you are responsible for paying any expenses on your own.