There are three parts to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy:
- Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Minimum Course Completion Rate
- Maximum Credit Hours Allowed
You need to comply with all requirements to remain eligible for aid, as explained in the following:
1. Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
-
Undergraduate Students: The minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 2.0.
-
Graduate/Professional Students: The minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 2.0,
or higher if required by your aid-eligible graduate degree.
2. Minimum Course Completion Rate
You are required to make progress toward your aid-eligible degree/certificate. This minimum course completion rate means that you must successfully complete at least two-thirds (66.67%) of all your attempted credit hours. For example, if you attempt 12 credit hours a term, you are expected to complete at least 8 credit hours.
3. Maximum Credit Hours Allowed
a)
Undergraduate Students: Maximum Timeframe
You may not receive aid for more than 150% of the credit hours required to complete your degree. For most undergraduate programs, this maximum is 288 credit hours. All attempted transfer and test credit hours are included in your 150% calculation.
If you change majors, you are still expected to complete your program within 288 credit hours. In limited circumstances
appeals will be considered.
b)
Graduate and Professional Students: Timely Completion of Degree
You are expected to complete your aid-eligible program in the timeframe stipulated by your particular program of study. Graduate students whose enrollment appears to exceed that timeframe may be required to submit a degree completion plan to the Office of Financial Aid to continue to qualify for federal financial aid. The degree completion plan must outline the specific requirements remaining for degree completion. The plan must be signed by an academic advisor and be submitted to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee for review.
c)
All Students: Degree Completion Requirement
Federal and state financial aid is limited to the pursuit of your declared aid-eligible program. Once you have completed the requirements for your degree and/or have no further enrollment requirements, you are no longer eligible for federal or state financial aid, and your options for institutional assistance are limited, based on the terms and availability of your institutional aid program. This is true even if you have not applied for graduation and/or your degree has not been officially conferred.
Failing to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
You will be notified by email if you fall below one or more of the requirements. You may also check your SAP status at any time in Campus Connect > Financial Aid Tile > "View My FA Academic Progress."
Financial Aid Warning
You are eligible to receive aid in this status. Financial aid “warning” is assigned when you have fallen below the minimum thresholds of SAP:
- cumulative GPA is below 2.0 (or higher if required by your graduate degree), or
- completion rate is below 66.67% (you have completed fewer than 66.67% of attempted hours)
Failure to meet the minimum standards after your warning term will result in financial aid suspension.
Financial Aid Suspension
You are not eligible to receive federal, state, and most institutional aid in this status. "Suspension" status is assigned if:
- you fail to meet your progress requirements after a warning, probation or academic plan status
- you are a readmitted student or first-time aid applicant whose prior coursework does not meet SAP thresholds
- you are an undergraduate student who exceeds the maximum timeframe
- you are an undergraduate student who is unable to demonstrate that you can complete your undergraduate degree within the 150% timeframe
The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to suspend your aid if you withdraw completely or fail to complete all of your courses in a term. Review the Special Situations for more information.
If you are assigned a suspension status, you can
appeal this status in Campus Connect.
Special Situations
If you are returning to DePaul after an absence of three consecutive terms, and you were not meeting the minimum requirements prior to that absence, you will need to appeal for reinstatement for your aid eligibility.
Any currently enrolled student applying for financial aid for the first time, must meet the minimum academic progress requirements. If your cumulative coursework does not meet SAP, you will need to complete an appeal.
If you are approaching the maximum timeframe you will be notified by email. You must meet with an academic advisor to plan for completion of your degree as quickly as possible. Discuss the number of remaining courses required for your degree and your anticipated graduation date. If after discussing with your advisor you will not complete your degree within 288 credits, contact OFA_SAP@depaul.edu as soon as possible.
If you unofficially or officially withdraw and fail to earn credit in any coursework in consecutive terms of attendance, or in two or more terms within two consecutive academic year, your financial aid may be suspended.
If you are pursuing a second major or an additional minor, you are subject to the Degree Completion Requirements explained in the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy (above, Requirement 3). If you have completed the requirements for a first bachelor’s degree (even if you have not applied for graduation and/or the degree is not officially conferred) you are no longer eligible for federal and state financial aid programs that are restricted to one undergraduate degree. These include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and the State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP Grant).
For more detailed information, please see our Satisfactory Academic Progress FAQ.
If you are pursuing a second undergraduate degree, you are eligible only for federal student loans at the undergraduate level and are subject to the maximum timeframe component for undergraduate study. In general, this is 288 credit hours. In limited circumstances appeals will be considered if you reach this timeframe. Once it has been determined that you have fulfilled the enrollment requirements for the second undergraduate degree, you are no longer eligible for federal or state financial aid. See Degree Completion Requirements, explained above, Requirement 3.