To remain eligible for financial aid, federal guidelines require you to make adequate progress toward completing your degree. This is known as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). You can view your SAP status anytime in Campus Connect.

SAP is evaluated based on three key components, which are reviewed at the end of each term to determine your eligibility for the next term. To meet SAP requirements, you must satisfy all three components during each evaluation.

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

Your required cumulative GPA varies based on your academic career:

• Undergraduate Students: You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher, as required by your academic program.
• Graduate Students:  Your cumulative GPA must meet or exceed the graduation requirements for your program. Check your program details in the academic catalog or consult your academic advisor for specific GPA requirements.
• Professional Students:  Refer to the academic catalog's "Good Standing" section for GPA requirements based on your year of entry.
   

Grades of IN, M, PA, R, W, and WA are not factored into your GPA. However, IN, M, and R grades that are later replaced with a letter grade will be included in your GPA during the next SAP evaluation. Transfer credits from other institutions do not affect your GPA. Repeat courses will impact your GPA as outlined in the "Grades, Repeating Classes" policy in the university catalog.

2. Course Completion Rate

You must successfully complete at least two-thirds (66.67%) of all attempted credit hours. This calculation includes every course listed on your transcript, meaning any class you’re enrolled in after the last day to drop courses impacts your completion rate. Grades of F, FX, IN, M, R, W, and WA are not considered successfully completed and will lower your course completion rate. If an IN, M, or R grade is later replaced with a letter grade, the updated grade will be factored into your completion rate during the next SAP evaluation. Transfer credits from other institutions count as both attempted and completed hours. Repeating courses will increase your attempted hours, which may lower your overall completion rate.

3. Maximum Timeframe

You are not eligible to receive financial aid for more than 150% of the credit hours required to complete your degree. If it becomes mathematically impossible for you to finish your degree within this maximum timeframe, as defined by your program’s published length, you will no longer qualify for aid.

• Undergraduate Students: For most programs requiring 192 credit hours to graduate, the maximum is 288 credit hours. For programs requiring more than 192 hours, the maximum is 150% of the required hours.
• Graduate and Professional Students: The maximum timeframe varies by program and is 150% of the total credit hours required. Check your program details in the academic catalog, run your Degree Progress Report (DPR), or consult your academic advisor for specific requirements.

All attempted credit hours, including transfer and test credits, count toward your maximum timeframe. This includes credits from major changes, double majors, exploratory courses, repeated classes, or minors. You are still expected to complete your program within the allowed timeframe.

Evaluation and Communication

If you’re receiving financial aid, the Office of Financial Aid reviews your academic progress at the end of each term. You’ll receive an email notification about your SAP status, even if you meet all the requirements. You can check your SAP status anytime in Campus Connect.

Eligibility After Degree Completion

Financial aid eligibility is limited, regardless of your grades or SAP status. Once you’ve completed the requirements for your degree, you are no longer eligible for financial aid, even if you haven’t applied for graduation or your degree hasn’t been officially conferred.

Failure to Meet SAP

If you do not meet SAP requirements, you are not eligible for financial aid. However, you can regain eligibility in one of two ways:

1. Submit a SAP appeal and have it approved by the SAP Appeal Committee.
2. Continue taking courses without financial aid, covering your tuition using personal savings or other funding sources, until you meet SAP requirements.

SAP Status

At the end of each term, your SAP is evaluated to determine your eligibility for financial aid. There are five possible SAP statuses: Meeting SAP, Warning, Not Meeting SAP, Probation, or Academic Plan. Your SAP status is posted in Campus Connect, and each status is explained on our Definitions and Terminology page.

Special Situations