There are three parts to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy and a student must meet or exceed the minimum in each category to continue receiving aid:
- Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Minimum Course Completion Rate
- Maximum Credit Hours Allowed to Obtain Degree
1. Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
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Undergraduate Students: The minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 2.00.
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Graduate/Professional Students: The minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 2.00,
or higher if required to obtain your graduate degree.
2. Minimum Course Completion Rate
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 must successfully complete at least 8 credit hours.
3. Maximum Credit Hours Allowed to Obtain Degree
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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. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee that your financial aid will be reinstated.
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Graduate and Professional Students: Maximum Timeframe
You are expected to complete your degree in the timeframe stipulated by your program. You may not receive aid for more than 150% of the credit hours required to complete your degree. In limited circumstances appeals will be considered. Submitting an
appeal does not guarantee that your financial aid will be reinstated.
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All Students: Degree Completion Requirement
Regardless of your grades and/or SAP status, financial aid is limited. Once you have completed the requirements for your degree, you are no longer eligible for financial aid. This is true even if you have not applied for graduation and/or your degree has not been officially conferred.
Evaluation and Communication
If you receive financial aid, the Office of Financial Aid evaluates your academic progress at the end of each academic term. You will be notified by email of your SAP status – even if you continue to meet all SAP requirements. Check your SAP status at any time in Campus Connect > Financial Aid Tile > View My FA Academic Progress.
Failing to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
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 2.00 (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 returning student or first-time aid applicant whose prior coursework does not meet SAP requirements
- you exceed the maximum timeframe
- you cannot complete your 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 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 were not meeting SAP when last enrolled at DePaul, your SAP status remains the same when you return. After you are officially readmitted, you may need to appeal for reinstatement of your aid eligibility.
Any currently enrolled student applying for financial aid for the first time must meet the minimum academic progress requirements.
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. 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 150% of the credit hours required to complete your degree, contact OFA_SAP@depaul.edu as soon as possible.
For undergraduates this maximum is 288 attempted credit hours to earn a degree, however graduate degree requirements vary by graduate program.
Your financial aid may be suspended 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 years.
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.