What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is an important policy because it affects your federal financial aid. It was created in 1965 as part of the Higher Education Amendment Act which requires schools to establish a minimum standard for SAP. Students who do not meet the criteria for SAP are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Fri 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Students receiving federal financial aid must meet all 3 SAP requirements:
- Qualitative grade point average (GPA): Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Quantitative analysis: All financial aid recipients must complete at least 67% of all attempted coursework.
- Maximum timeframe: All financial aid recipients must complete their academic program within 150% of the maximum timeframe to complete
When is SAP evaluated?
What are the different SAP statuses?
There are 3 different SAP statuses.
- Meet SAP: A student receiving federal financial aid is in good standing and meets all 3 minimum GPA, coursework, and timeline requirements.
- Suspension: A student receiving federal financial aid has fallen below minimum GPA requirements and/or has met or exceeded the maximum 150% time frame to complete their academic program. Students on SAP suspension are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Probation: A student receiving federal financial aid who has submitted an appeal application which has been approved is placed on a one-term probation. Students who meet all SAP requirements while in probation return to good standing. Students who don’t meet all SAP requirements while on probation are no longer eligible for federal financial aid or to re-appeal, and are placed back on suspension.
How am I notified about changes in my SAP status?
OFA notifies all students placed on financial aid warning and suspension via the EagleLINKS student portal.
What every student should know about the SAP appeals process
What should I include in my SAP appeal?
You may submit an appeal when placed on suspension by completing a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal. Please note, submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval. Your appeal must include:
- SAP appeal form
- Typed personal statement detailing why you failed to meet SAP, and how you will meet SAP the next semester
- Additional documentation that supports your personal statement
- Academic and success strategies plan outlining the coursework and any academic services you will use to ensure academic success
How do I appeal my SAP status?
Students can appeal SAP status through an official Financial Aid Appeal process. Appeals may take up to 2 weeks to process and return a decision, so submit your appeal as early as possible before the start of the next semester.
What’s next if my appeal is approved?
You will be on a one-term financial aid probation, and allowed one semester/enrollment period of federal financial aid to improve your status to meet SAP. Students cannot receive incompletes, fail, or withdraw while on one-term probation.
Students who don’t meet all SAP requirements while on probation are no longer eligible for federal financial aid or to re-appeal, and are placed back on suspension.
What’s next if my appeal is denied?
You are no longer eligible for federal financial aid at Coppin. You can regain eligibility at your own expense by:
- Completing 67% of total coursework
- Achieving the minimum cumulative undergraduate 2.0 GPA or cumulative graduate 3.0 GPA requirements
After meeting these SAP requirements at your own expense, you must complete a new appeal application if you want to be reconsidered for federal financial aid.
However, you cannot regain eligibility if you were denied an appeal for a maximum timeline extension. Also, eligibility cannot be established for being out of school for an extended time or paying for courses with your own funds.