When you receive federal or state financial aid, federal guidelines require that you make real and measurable progress toward your degree in order to continue to receive federal aid. This requirement is called “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (SAP).
OVERVIEW OF SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS REQUIREMENTS
There are three parts to the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirement:
- Grade Point Average (GPA);
- Cumulative (Overall) progress, and;
- Maximum Time Frame.
You need to comply with all three to remain eligible for aid.
Grade Point Average
The Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations require that you maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) in order to remain eligible for financial aid. This cumulative grade point average is 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
If you drop below a cumulative GPA of 2.0, you will be placed on financial aid probation. While on financial aid probation, you will continue to receive your financial aid, but you will need to complete all your attempted coursework each quarter with grades of “C’” or better in order to remain eligible for financial aid.
Quantitative Standards (Cumulative Overall Progress)
The Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations also contain a quantitative component, meaning that you are required to make steady progress toward your degree by completing at least two-thirds (67%) of all your attempted credit hours. For example, if you attempt 16 hours per term during the academic year (48 cumulative attempted hours), you would be expected to satisfactorily complete at least 32 of these hours in order comply with the minimum quantitative standards.
If you do not successfully complete at least two-thirds of all credit hours attempted, you will be placed on financial aid probation. While on financial aid probation, you will continue to receive your financial aid, but you will need to complete all your attempted coursework each quarter with grades of “C’” or better in order to remain eligible for financial aid.
Maximum Time Frame
The Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations also contain a maximum timeframe component, which specifies that the number of credit hours for which you may receive federal financial aid may not exceed 150% of the credit hours required for graduation. For most undergraduate programs, the maximum is considered to be 288 credit hours.
SAP POLICY DEFINITIONS
Financial Aid Probation
You are considered to be on financial aid probation when you fail to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements for one or more of the following reasons:
- You are below the 2.0 cumulative GPA requirement; and/or
- You are below the 67% minimum course completion rate; and/or
- You are close to exceeding the 150% time frame limit.
Once you are on financial aid probation, you must complete ALL courses attempted each quarter with grades of “C” or better in order to remain eligible for financial aid. Probation status continues until you once again meet the overall progress requirements (2.0 cumulative GPA, and 67% completion rate of hours attempted). However, if you do not complete ALL courses attempted during the probationary quarter with grades of “C” or better, your aid is suspended.
Financial Aid Suspension
You are considered to be on financial aid suspension when you fail to meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements for one or more the following reasons:
- You are below the 2.0 cumulative GPA requirement and you did not meet the terms of your financial aid probation; and/or
- You are below the 67% minimum course completion rate and you did not meet the terms of your financial aid probation; and/or
- You have exceeded time frame limits.
Attempted Credit Hours and Successfully Completed Credit Hours
All credit-bearing courses are calculated into “hours attempted” for financial aid purposes. Courses with passing grades (“A", "B", “C”, "D" or "P") are considered to be hours successfully completed. Courses with Grades of "F", "W", "WA", "FX", "R", “I”, or “M” are not considered to be hours successfully completed.
REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID
If you have been suspended from receiving financial aid, and subsequently return to meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements, you may have your financial aid eligibility reinstated for the subsequent academic term. Similarly, if you have been suspended from receiving financial aid and successfully appeal your suspension, your financial aid eligibility will be reinstated on a probationary status for the subsequent term.
Appeal Procedures
If you have been suspended from financial aid because of failure to meet the minimum SAP requirements, and you feel that severe or unusual circumstances have kept you from making progress toward your degree, you may appeal. To appeal, please submit a written appeal letter along with the SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) Appeal form found in our Forms section.
Your appeal should include all of the following:
- Describe the specific reason(s), events or circumstances preventing you from meeting the academic progress requirements.
- Provide a specific plan/corrective action plan to improve your academic progress.
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your plan of action and obtain a signature from your advisor to document that you have discussed your corrective action plan together.
Appeals should be directed to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee.
Appeals are reviewed within three to five days of receipt. You should receive an email with the outcome of your appeal within five days of your submission of the appeal, provided that all necessary documentation is submitted.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR READMITTED STUDENTS
Readmitted students are required to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements. If you are returning to DePaul after an absence, and your former coursework would indicate that you are below the minimum progress requirements, you will need to appeal for reinstatement for your student aid eligibility by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress form explaining:
- Your revised academic objective and anticipated graduation date;
- Any specific corrective action plans you have made as part of your readmission process.
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