Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Federal Financial Aid Recipients

All degree seeking students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences must be making satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for any type of Title IV financial aid (includes Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS, and Federal Work-study).  The following provisions are the general definition of satisfactory academic progress.  Specific department provisions are included in the department section of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Programs and Policies handbook. 

  • Qualitative measure
  • Must maintain a Cumulative Grade of Honors (H) in graduate level courses
  • Satisfy academic degree requirements as defined by the academic program (see individual department requirements)
  • Quantitative measure
  • Maintain a pace of at least 67% of the cumulative attempted courses 

Pace is defined as Attempted Courses divided by Successfully Completed Courses 

  • Treatment of Specific Grades & Credit Types
  • Grades of AUD are considered Satisfactory but do not count towards the qualitative review
  • Withdrawals and Audit Not Fulfilled “NA” – Count as attempted, not earned credits with the Pace Calculation
  • Incompletes (“I” Grades) – Count as attempted credits; no Qualitative impact.  Once grades posts, the corresponding qualitative measure will be included in the next SAP Evaluation
  • Repeated Courses – All attempts count in Pace Calculation; Qualitative reflects average grade assigned.
  • Transfer Credits are not accepted at the Graduate School or Arts and Sciences
  • Remedial Coursework is not accepted at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
  • Maximum Timeframe and SAP Evaluation Schedule: 
Degree 

Maximum 

Full-Time Student 

Maximum 

Part-Time Student 

Evaluation Schedule 
1 Year Degrees 3 Semesters 6 semesters At the end each semester 
2 Year Degrees 6 semesters 10 semesters At the end each academic year, not to exceed 12 months 
PhD 20 semesters not applicable At the end of each academic year, not to exceed 12 months 

A student who is not in good academic standing with coursework or research as defined by the standards above and the expectations outlined by the student’s department or program may be dismissed from the Graduate School.

  • Impact of program changes
  • If a student changes majors or programs, all cumulative courses regardless of program will be reviewed during the SAP Evaluation
  • Notifications
  • Students will be notified via their university email when SAP status changes affect their eligibility for aid.  Students will be provided instructions on how to appeal the Unsatisfactory Academic Progress decision with appropriate deadlines.
  • Appealing Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Status.  Students who fail to meet SAP may appeal to regain eligibility.  Appeals should be submitted no later than 2 weeks prior to the next term to ensure no delay in processing of aid.  Appeals must:
  • Explain the circumstances that affected academic performance.
  • Describe how those issues have been resolved.
  • Include supporting documentation
  • Approved appeals result in Probation or an Academic Plan. Continued aid eligibility depends on meeting the terms outlined.
  • Regaining Eligibility Without an Appeal
  • Students who do not appeal, or whose appeals are denied, may regain eligibility by enrolling without federal aid and meeting all SAP standards.