Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
All students are evaluated for satisfactory academic progress (SAP) at the end of each undergraduate term.
Undergraduate Online Students
Credit Hour Programs
Satisfactory academic progress is measured qualitatively, by review of the Cumulative
Grade Point Average (CGPA); quantitatively (pace), by review of the rate of progress
– the percentage of credits earned vs. attempted; and overall against a maximum timeframe
of 150% of the program’s length, measured in attempted credits. Full-time undergraduate
students must complete their program within six years (see table below for minimum
completion requirements).
The academic credit for terms is earned with a passing grade. Satisfactory progress is defined as a minimum of a 2.00 CGPA and a rate of progress of at least 67%.
| Year | Number of Credits that must be earned |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 40 |
| 3 | 60 |
| 4 | 80 |
| 5 | 100 |
| 6 | 120 |
Graduate/Doctoral Students
All students are evaluated for SAP at the end of each payment period (term).
Credit Hour Programs
SAP is measured qualitatively, by review of the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA);
quantitatively, by review of the rate of progress (pace) the percentage of credits
earned vs. attempted; and overall against a maximum time frame of 150% of the program
length, measured in attempted credits. The academic credit for term is earned with
a passing grade (B - or better). Satisfactory progress is defined as a minimum of
a 3.00 CGPA and a rate of progress of at least 67%. To successfully complete a program
the student must achieve 100% of the program credits within 150% of the program length,
as defined by attempted credits.
SAP Status Review for Online and Graduate Students
At the SAP checkpoint, a student who is not meeting the SAP requirements for the first
time will be placed on a “Financial Aid Warning.”
Students on “Financial Aid Warning” who do not meet SAP requirements for the subsequent
term will lose financial aid eligibility. To regain aid eligibility after this point,
the student must appeal in accordance with the policy described below. Students whose
appeals are granted will be placed on “Financial Aid Probation” for the next term.
If students do not meet SAP after the “Financial Aid Probation” period, all federal
financial aid eligibility will be lost.
Appeal Process for Online and Graduate Students
A student who loses aid eligibility due to failure to maintain satisfactory academic
progress may appeal this status. To do so, the student must submit a Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form and submit it to OSFS for review.
If the appeal is granted, a student previously receiving financial aid will regain financial aid eligibility on a financial aid probation status for one term. The student must regain SAP status by the close of the financial aid probationary term.
The student’s appeal must address the following:
- The basis for the appeal – a description of the special circumstance AND
- The reason why the student failed to meet the SAP standard(s) AND
- What has changed in the student’s situation so that s/he will now be able to meet SAP standards. Appeals will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Academic Plans
A student appealing the loss of financial aid as a result of failing to meet SAP is
strongly encouraged to work with his/her academic advisor in the program of study
and formulate an education plan with a Learning Contract; failure to do so could influence
the decision on a student’s appeal.
Paralegal Program
For financial aid purposes students must complete all requirements of the program
in 12 months.
