There are three parts to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy which we monitor:
- 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 is 2.00.
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Graduate/Professional Students: The minimum cumulative GPA requirement that is required to graduate from your program.
2. Minimum Course Completion Rate
You must successfully complete at least two-thirds (66.67%) of all your attempted credit hours. This includes all courses you’re enrolled in after the last day to drop courses. 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, double major, or add minors, 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 may not receive aid for more than 150% of the credit hours required to complete your degree (which will vary by program). Exploratory courses and changes in majors also count towards maximum timeframe. 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)
SAP Status: Warning
You are eligible to receive aid while in Warning. Financial aid “warning” is assigned when you have fallen below the minimum requirements of SAP:
- cumulative GPA is below what is required to graduate or
- you have completed fewer than 2/3 of the courses you have attempted
If you do not meet SAP requirements at the end of your Warning term, your financial aid will be suspended.
SAP Status: Not Meeting SAP
You are not meeting one or more of your SAP requirement(s), so you are not eligible for financial aid. "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 or cannot complete your degree within the maximum 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 your SAP status is “Not Meeting SAP”, you can
appeal by the deadline in Campus Connect. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee the reinstatement of your financial aid eligibility.
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.