What Is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is crucial for students receiving federal financial aid. SAP is a measure of the progress you’re making toward your degree, which typically means maintaining a minimum grade point average and taking a certain number of credit hours each year. You must meet your school’s SAP standards to remain eligible for federal aid, including loans, grants and work-study opportunities.

Unfortunately, falling short of SAP standards is a common struggle for many students. If you’re facing challenges that have affected your academic performance, you may be able to appeal your SAP status to restore aid eligibility.

What are the three components of satisfactory academic progress?

SAP uses the following metrics to evaluate academic performance:

• Grades: Your grades are crucial to maintaining financial aid eligibility. The better your grades are, the better your chance of receiving financial aid for the next school year. While the grades requirements differ by school, you generally must maintain a C average or better for satisfactory academic progress.
• Credit hours: You must be enrolled in and complete a minimum number of credit hours per semester to secure financial aid for the upcoming year. Dropping a class can impact your SAP status because you may fall below the required credit hour threshold.
• Degree completion timeline: Most two- and four-year institutions have tracks for completing your degree within a specific time frame, whether you’re enrolled part- or full-time. If you don’t complete your degree in that time, you may have more difficulty getting financial aid.

Because each school determines its own satisfactory academic progress metrics, review your institutions website or check with the financial aid office to determine whether you’re on track.

Why does satisfactory academic progress matter?

Satisfactory academic progress evaluates a student’s academic performance and is crucial for maintaining financial aid eligibility. If you don’t make satisfactory academic progress, you could:

• Receive a financial aid warning: These usually last about one term, and you typically continue receiving pledged aid during the warning period. If you meet the requirements within the given time frame, the warning may be lifted. If you don’t meet the requirements, you could lose your financial aid.
• Financial aid suspension: Failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress can result in losing your financial aid for the upcoming term or year.

Many private student loan companies also have satisfactory academic progress requirements. If you fall below your school’s SAP threshold, you may not qualify for private loans.

Can you appeal your satisfactory academic progress status?

If you don’t meet your school’s satisfactory academic progress standards, you could lose federal financial aid funding. However, some schools allow you to appeal this decision and will explain your options in the letter detailing your loss of financial aid. Your school may accept your appeal if you’ve experienced extenuating personal circumstances, including:

• Severe personal injury or illness.
• Death of a relative.
• Other special circumstances determined by your institution.

You’ll need to show that there was a direct link between your circumstances and your poor academic performance. For instance, in addition to coping with the grief of losing a parent, you might be unable to attend classes or complete coursework as you handle funeral arrangements or matters related to the estate.

Your appeal should outline these circumstances in writing, in as much detail as possible. Be sure to complete the appeal by the school’s deadline; otherwise, you won’t have another chance to regain your financial aid eligibility.

If your appeal is successful, you’ll regain access to your financial aid, though your school may place you on probationary status. Ensure you understand the terms of your post-appeal status and how you can maintain SAP in the future.

What should be in the appeal letter?

An appeal letter should include:

• Description of the mitigating circumstances and supporting documentation: This can include federal and state records, private medical records, a death certificate of a family member and supporting statements signed by the appropriate parties.
• Steps taken to ensure future academic success: To assure your institution that you’ll remain in good academic standing going forward, include the steps you’ve taken (or plan to take) to stay on track. If required, you may need to draft an academic plan and have it signed by an academic advisor.
• Anticipated graduation date: This helps the school easily see how much time you have left before completing your degree.

Invalid reasons for an appeal can include change of major, double major, taking courses for a minor, a personal conflict not explained and documented or the need for financial assistance.

Bottom line

If you don’t meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements set by your school, you risk losing federal financial aid, including scholarships, grants and federal student loans. Additionally, some private student loan lenders set satisfactory academic progress requirements.

If you’re struggling with your schoolwork, reach out to your professors, academic advisor or campus tutoring center as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the SAP appeal deadlines?
  

  The SAP appeal and reinstatement deadlines are different and are set by your school. If you miss the SAP appeal deadline, you’ll have to re-establish eligibility without the assistance of financial aid. There’s no fee associated with submitting an appeal and no exceptions to the SAP appeal deadline.

• Does dropping a class affect your satisfactory academic progress?
  

  Dropping a class could hurt your SAP standing. If you aren’t taking and completing the minimum number of credit hours each year as required by your institution, you might not qualify for future financial aid. If you already received financial aid for the current semester, dropping a class could mean returning some of the aid you’ve gotten.

• What happens after you submit an SAP appeal?
  

  Your institution’s financial aid office will review your letter to determine whether your reasons are valid and assess your proposed corrective measures. Letters are often reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

  It may take as many as six weeks for your institution to review your appeal, though some institutions may act more quickly. Ask the financial aid office how long you can expect to wait and confirm how the results will be delivered. Remember that there is no guarantee of approval, and it may make sense to arrange a backup plan in case your appeal is denied.