General Information

For purposes of determining student eligibility assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, an institution must establish reasonable standards for measuring whether a student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress. On October 29, 2010, the Secretary of Education published final rules aimed at improving the integrity of programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA, as amended.

Effective July 1, 2011, institutions must comply with the published regulations that impact satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Student Financial Services has revised its satisfactory academic progress policy to comply with the new regulations and implemented the new satisfactory academic progress standards beginning with the Summer 2011 term.

It is important to note that satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid purposes may differ from the academic progress policies of the University and of each individual school. Student Financial Services encourages all students, academic deans and academic advisors to become familiar with the satisfactory academic progress policy and its impact on student financial aid eligibility.

Evaluating students' satisfactory academic progress is required by federal regulation. The outcome of the evaluation and its impact on students' financial aid eligibility overrides all other University policies or statements regarding a student's academic standing.

The Student Financial Services SAP policy is accessible here.

How the SAP policy works

Appeal process and the role of the student

Appeal process and the role of the Academic Dean or Advisor

Guidelines for the Academic Plan

Appeal decisions of Student Financial Services Appeals Committee

Example questions discussed among the Student Financial Services Appeals Committee when reviewing an appeal

Undergraduate GPA Calculator

Undergraduate Student Financial Aid SAP Estimator

Frequently asked questions