SAP - Status Definitions

Students receiving financial aid are required to show satisfactory academic progress, or SAP. If you are not found to be in good standing as a result of a quarterly evaluation, you will be assigned a status of "Warning," "Probation" or "Disqualified."



Warning

Students who don't show satisfactory academic progress (SAP) will be automatically placed on "Warning" status for one quarter.

  • Students may receive financial aid during the warning period
  • Students not making SAP at the end of the warning period are determined to be ineligible for financial aid until they meet SAP standards.
  • Students may reestablish eligibility by meeting the 67 percent unit completion standard and the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

 Warning status may include one or more of the following

  • Warning - Quarterly GPA: You did not earn a 2.0 GPA in the last quarter in which you attempted six or more units.
  • Warning - Cumulative GPA: You did not have a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the last quarter.
  • Warning - Unit Completion: You did not earn the required minimum of 67 percent of units attempted in the quarter and cumulatively.
  • Warning - Maximum Time: You are approaching the maximum number of attempted units allowed for your program. If you reach the maximum at the end of this quarter, you will be disqualified.

If you will not complete your program before reaching the maximum number of attempted units, you may appeal for more time by submitting a Request for Extension form. This can be found on our Financial Aid Forms webpage. 



Disqualified

Students who don't make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for two quarters in a row will be automatically placed on "Disqualification" status.

  • Students may not receive any federal or state aid, including grants, loans or work-study when they are on disqualification status.
  • Students may appeal a disqualified status. See below.
  • Students may reestablish their eligibility by meeting the 67 percent unit completion standard and the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Disqualification status may include one or more of the following

  • Disqualified - Quarterly GPA: You did not earn a 2.0 GPA in the last quarter in which you attempted six or more units, and you were already on warning or probation status.
  • Disqualified - Cumulative GPA: You did not have a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the last quarter, and you were already on warning or probation status.
  • Disqualified - Unit Completion: You did not earn the required minimum of 67 percent of units attempted in the quarter, and you were already on warning or probation status.
  • Disqualified - Maximum Time: You have reached the maximum number of attempted units allowed for your program without completing the required number.
  • Disqualified - End of Extended Time: You had previously reached the maximum time frame and were either granted additional time which has now run out, or you were denied additional time.

If you have reached the maximum number of attempted units for your program and you would like to request more time, you may submit a Request for Extension form. This form can be found on the Financial Aid Forms page. Students are allowed only one request for extended time.


Appealing a Disqualification

You may appeal a disqualification status by submitting the form entitled “Appeal for One Additional Quarter of Financial Aid Probation.” This can be found on the Financial Aid Forms page.

Your appeal should include

  • an explanation of why you failed to meet SAP requirements
  • an explanation of what has changed or steps you will take that will allow you to make SAP

Additional documentation may be required, as described on the appeal form. A progress report or updated Education Plan may also be required before a final decision is made.

Students will be notified by email if an appeal is approved or denied or if further information is required.


Probation

If students successfully appeal a disqualification, they will be placed on probation.

  • Students may receive financial aid during probation if all other eligibility criteria are met.
  • Students can regain eligibility by making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) during the quarter they are on probation – by completing 67 percent of the attempted units and earning a 2.0 GPA for each quarter while on probation.
  • Students must follow their academic plan while on probation.

Probation status may include one or more of the following

  • Probation – Extended: You appealed after being disqualified for failing to meet SAP requirements at the end of the last quarter in which you attempted six or more units. Your appeal was approved for one quarter of probation. If you do not meet SAP requirements in this quarter, you will return to disqualified status. Students are considered one time only for extended probation.
  • Probation – Conditional: You appealed after being disqualified for failing to have a 2.0 cumulative GPA after the last quarter in which you attempted six or more units, although you met the other SAP requirements for the quarter. You must continue to meet quarterly SAP requirements to maintain conditional probation as your cumulative GPA increases, until it reaches 2.0 before your total number of attempted units reaches 90.
  • Probation – One, Two, Three, Four, Five, or Six More Quarters: You had previously reached the maximum time frame and submitted a Request for Extension. Your appeal for additional time was approved for the number of quarters indicated. You must meet satisfactory progress requirements in each of the quarters you have been granted, or you will be disqualified. Students are only considered once for an extended time frame, so no further appeals will be considered. 

Return to Maintaining Eligibility webpage.

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