The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy The Solution Center The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Objective What you will learn? University’s Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy When SAP is evaluated How to determine if a student meets SAP

What is SAP Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the measurement of a student's academic progress toward the degree or certificate   In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must satisfy all three components of SAP: Qualitative measure, cumulative GPA Quantitative measure, completion rate Maximum time frame allowed for degree completion, 150%

SAP Standards: Undergraduate   Undergraduate students must meet the following SAP criteria Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 Minimum completion rate of 70% Maximum Time Frame of 180 attempted credits for bachelor’s degree; maximum of 90 attempted credits for associate’s degree; maximum 150% of defined program length for certificate programs Note: The evaluation includes the entire academic record, even if the student did not receive financial aid for previous semesters of enrollment

SAP Standards: Graduate   Graduate students must meet the following SAP criteria Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 Master’s and Doctoral degree completion rate, maximum timeframe and graduation requirements as defined by University academic policy (below) are monitored by each academic department: http://www.uml.edu/catalog/graduate/policies/Academic_Standing.htm Graduate Certificate programs require a minimum completion rate of 70% and maximum 150% of defined program length

SAP Terms Defined Completion Rate: Calculated by total earned credits divided by total attempted credits Earned Credits: Include successfully completed courses (i.e. A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, P, S) and transfer credits. Audited and remedial coursework not included. Repeated coursework is counted once toward earned credits. Attempted Credits: Include successfully completed courses (i.e. A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, P, S), Non-passing grades (i.e. F, U), Incomplete (i.e. grade of INC), Withdrawn courses (W), administrative withdrawals (X,Y), Transfer credits and repeated courses. Audited and remedial coursework are not included in attempted credits or GPA. Maximum Time Frame Allowed: Calculated by multiplying the published program length by 150 percent. Example: published program length of 120 credits * 150% = 180 maximum time frame allowed to complete degree requirements.

When is SAP Evaluated? Annual Evaluation Term Evaluation SAP is evaluated annually at the end of spring term for students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs Term Evaluation SAP is evaluated every payment period (ie, term) for students enrolled in a certificate program Also, students on SAP Probationary period are reviewed each payment period Note: Student must have an ISIR on file for SAP to be evaluated Student with alternative loan or state waiver requiring SAP are manually processed

SAP - Not Meets Students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial aid in a subsequent payment period, including summer term Financial aid applicants not meeting SAP standards will be deemed ineligible to receive financial aid SAP status applies to financial aid eligibility only and does not impact registration or University academic standing Student has option to appeal Both email and letter notification is sent to student

SAP Appeals Students who do not meet SAP have the right to appeal when extenuating circumstances exist Student must write a personal statement and develop an academic plan with an advisor as part of their appeal REF: FA_28_SAP_Appeal_Process training for details on the SAP appeal process