Satisfactory Academic Progress

New Undergraduate

Federal regulations and university institutional policy require a specified level of academic achievement and the completion of a set number of credits within a given time frame. These set of criteria make up the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and are included in the full Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. The financial assistance policy does not replace academic and departmental policies pertaining to academic standing and/or degree progression.  

Students must meet minimum standards after each period in which the student is enrolled (fall, spring and summer semesters) in order to receive federal and/or institutional financial assistance (grants, scholarships, merit awards, work study and loans). The minimum standards include:

  1. Semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. First time undergraduate students have until the end of their sophomore year to meet the cumulative GPA standard.
  2. Pass and earn 75% of attempted hours. For example, a full time student registered for 12 credits must pass 9. Some financial assistance programs require full-time enrollment. See Enrollment Status Policy for Undergraduate Students. Academic advisors, who are sometimes unaware of financial aid regulations, may suggest that you register for, or drop to, less than a full-time course of study. As this could jeopardize your aid, check with our office before considering less than full-time study.
  3. Attain degree within 150% of published length of the program. For example, four year undergraduate programs must be completed within six years. (This example assumes full-time enrollment).
Continuing Undergraduate

Federal regulations and university institutional policy require a specified level of academic achievement and the completion of a set number of credits within a given time frame. These set of criteria make up the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).  See the full Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. The financial assistance policy does not replace academic and departmental policies pertaining to academic standing and/or degree progression.  

Students must meet minimum standards after each period in which the student is enrolled (fall, spring and summer semesters) in order to receive federal and/or institutional financial assistance (grants, scholarships, merit awards, work study and loans). The minimum standards include:

  1. Semester and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. First time undergraduate students have until the end of their sophomore year to meet the cumulative GPA standard.
  2. Pass and earn 75% of attempted hours. For example, a full time student registered for 12 credits must pass 9. Some financial assistance programs require full-time enrollment. See Enrollment Status Policy for Undergraduate Students. Academic advisors, who are sometimes unaware of financial aid regulations, may suggest that you register for, or drop to, less than a full-time course of study. As this could jeopardize your aid, check with our office before considering less than full-time study.
  3. Attain degree within 150% of published length of the program. For example, four year undergraduate programs must be completed within six years. (This example assumes full-time enrollment).
Graduate

Federal regulations and University institutional policy require a specified level of academic achievement and the completion of a set number of credits within a given time frame. These set of criteria make up the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The full Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is available here. The financial assistance policy does not replace academic and departmental policies pertaining to academic standing and/or degree progression.  

Students must meet minimum standards after each period in which the student is enrolled (fall, spring and summer semesters) in order to receive federal financial assistance. The minimum standards include:

  1. Semester and cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. All graduate students must attain a 3.0 for each semester of enrollment as well as cumulatively.
  2. Pass and earn 67% of attempted hours. For example, a full-time student registered for 9 credits must pass 6. Grades of W, Z, F, I (even if a grade is subsequently earned) and missing grades all count towards a student’s attempted credits.
  3. Attain degree within 150% of published length of the program. Graduate Certificate Programs must be completed within 9 semesters of enrollment. Master’s Programs must be completed within 12 semesters of enrollment. Doctoral Programs must be completed within 24 semesters of enrollment