Satisfactory Academic Progress

Your SAP status is based on which requirement you fail to meet. SAP statuses are:

Warning
If you haven’t met the GPA or pass rate standards, you will be placed on a financial aid warning. Think of this as a heads-up, a way for us to let you know what you need to do. Even under warning status, you can continue to receive your financial aid. This status lasts one term.

Suspension
If you are not in compliance by the end of your warning term, or we receive transfer work while you are on a warning that does not improve your status, you will be placed on suspension. While in a suspension status, you are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. But that doesn’t close doors on your educational journey; there are still options for you to regain eligibility.

Maximum Time Frame
If you have attempted more than 150% (including transfer hours) of your program's published length, you are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. However, there are still options to regain eligibility through the appeals process.

Probation
If you fail to make satisfactory progress, and you have appealed to have your financial aid reinstated, you will be placed on probation for one term. While on probation, you must meet all the conditions stated on your appeal approval contract to get off probation. If you do not meet the conditions, you will be placed on financial aid suspension.

Academic Plan
If you completed the conditions of the appeal during the probation term, but you still are not making satisfactory academic progress, you will be placed on academic plan status. While on this status, you must continue to meet the conditions of your appeal within a specified time, as stated in your appeal packet.

Regaining Eligibility
You have the option to submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office. Learn more about the appeal process below.

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Sometimes there are things out of your control that negatively affect your ability to meet SAP requirements. If there were justifiable reasons or extenuating circumstances that impacted your ability to meet the GPA or pass rate requirements, you may submit a SAP appeal (with supporting documentation) to the financial aid office for consideration to regain financial aid eligibility. Submitting an appeal for reinstatement of your financial aid eligibility does not guarantee that reinstatement will be granted.

• To begin the financial aid appeal process, please review the instructions below. Be sure to allow enough time to complete each step, as you will need to:
  
  • Access the online appeal form through your Financial Aid Dashboard.
  • Type a letter of explanation.
  • Download a copy of your San Jac GPS degree evaluation.
  • Gather documents that supports your extenuating circumstances (e.g. death certificate, hospital records, vehicle maintenance records, eviction notice, etc.)
• You are required to have official transcripts sent from all previously attended colleges and universities before you can appeal.
• Once approved for your appeal, you will regain probationary eligibility for your financial aid by showing continuous progress as defined in your probation conditions.

Extenuating Circumstances and Supporting Documentation

• Examples of unusual extenuating circumstances include and possible documentation (not limited to):
  • Illness, injury, or medical condition (hospital records or letter from doctor on official letterhead)
  • Learning or functional disability (third-party letters or supporting documentation from a professional)
  • Loss of a loved one (obituary, death certificate, or hospital records)
  • Birth/Childcare issues (birth certificate, hospital records, or statement from childcare provider)
  • Change in household or marital status (third-party letter or divorce decree)
  • Employment-related changes (a statement from employer on official letterhead, work schedule(s), or pay stubs)
  • Unexpected impact on meeting basic living needs
  • Transportation challenges (vehicle maintenance records, vehicle title, or vehicle finance documentation)
  • Housing Issues (eviction notice, lease agreement, or a third-party member in the household, etc.)
  • Family emergency (third-party letter, article, or police report)
  • Natural disaster or national emergency (insurance document, third-party letter, article, or report)
  • Other unusual event disrupting academic performance
• The following would not be considered extenuating circumstances:
  • Wasn’t ready for the semester or for college.
  • Passing a few courses by paying on your own.
  • Issues with professor.
  • Did not like the course.
  • Not a morning person.

Typed Explanation

• You are asked to explain your extenuating circumstances in detail to cover the period(s) you did not meet one or more of the SAP standards. You must also provide a detailed explanation of the actions you have taken to improve your situation to ensure you successfully complete all classes you attempt.
• It would be best for you to meet with a financial aid advisor to look over your extenuating circumstances and supporting documentation. Meeting with an advisor does not guarantee approval but gives you a greater chance of your application being ready for review.

Appeal Contract

• Upon submission of an appeal, you also agree to the probation conditions:
  • You are required to successfully pass each class for which you enroll with a letter grade of “A”, “B” or “C”. Any other letter grade, including withdrawals, will result in your financial aid being suspended for a future term.
  • You may only register for courses leading to the completion of your approved degree plan.
  • You are required to stay on your current degree plan until graduation, meaning you cannot change your major.

Appeal Deadlines:

• The deadline for each semester is for the appeal to be considered for the current semester. You can submit an appeal at any time. If the deadline has passed, the appeal will be reviewed for future semesters. If denied, you can submit a committee appeal for review by a committee of leaders.
  • Fall: September 15
  • Spring: February 15
  • Summer: June 15

What Happens After You Submit an Appeal

• Appeal forms and supporting documents are reviewed by campus financial aid staff.
• You will be notified of the final decision concerning your appeal via email within two weeks of submission. You must make other payment arrangements to cover your tuition, fees, and expenses if you wish to enroll before the review of your appeal.

  • If your appeal is approved, your financial aid will return with probation status. You must pass all classes with a “C” or better and stay in your approved degree program during the probation semester to keep your aid.

  • If your appeal is denied, you cannot get financial aid until you show that you meet the SAP requirements. Successfully completing a semester can help when reapplying, but special circumstances are considered for GPA and completion rate measurements.

• Note: Submitting an appeal for reinstatement of your financial aid eligibility does not guarantee that reinstatement will be granted.

Questions? Ask us anything.
Financial Aid may seem confusing, but we’re here to help you through it! If you plan to visit one of our campuses, we strongly urge you to make an appointment using the appointment scheduler online.

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I did well during one semester – did I earn SAP?
It depends – Satisfactory Academic Progress is determined at the end of each semester and is calculated based on cumulative grades. You can check your current SAP status on the Financial Aid Dashboard.

What are my chances of my appeal being approved?
Each situation is unique. SAP appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for sufficient explanation of extenuating circumstance and supporting documentation.

What happens if my appeal is denied?
If your appeal is denied, then you will be required to pay out of pocket, and/or you can request your appeal be reviewed by the appeal committee.

Why am I on suspension if I’m in good academic standing?
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Academic Standing are different academic criteria. SAP refers to the requirements to be considered eligible for financial aid, while Academic Standing refers to the student’s eligibility to enroll in classes.

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