Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s successful completion of coursework toward a degree.
Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs who fail to achieve minimum standards for Grade Point Average (GPA) and completion of classes could lose their eligibility for all types of federal and state aid (includes grants, work-study, Direct, and PLUS loans).
To be eligible for federal financial assistance, a Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ must meet minimum SAP standards each term – fall, spring, and summer. SAP requirements apply to all Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs including transfer, continuing, and re-entry Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs participating in federal aid programs.
SAP includes three components: Minimum Overall GPA, Completion Rate, and Maximum Timeframe.
Minimum Adjusted GPA
An Undergraduate Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ must maintain an overall GPA of at least a 2.0.
A Graduate Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ must maintain an overall GPA of at least a 3.0.
Completion Rate
Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs must earn at least 67% of all registered hours, regardless of whether or not financial aid was received. The earned hours calculation is rounded up. Grades of W, F, FN, FS, WX, WM, U, or I are not considered adequate grades for completion.
Hours Registered | Hours Earned |
18 | 13 |
17 | 12 |
16 | 11 |
15 | 11 |
14 | 10 |
13 | 9 |
12 | 9 |
11 | 8 |
10 | 7 |
9 | 7 |
Maximum Hours
Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs are expected to complete their degree within a maximum timeframe which includes transfer hours earned, registered hours at UL Lafayette, and hours earned before academic amnesty. All courses on a Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s transcript count toward registered hours whether or not financial aid was received.
Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs may not receive financial aid beyond the following:
Undergraduate Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs | 180 undergraduate hours |
2nd undergraduate degree or teacher certification | 210 undergraduate hours |
Graduate Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs | 54 graduate hours |
Doctoral Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs | 108 graduate hours |
Other Considerations Relevant to Academic Courses
- Remedial or developmental courses are included in attempted and earned credit hours when calculating the maximum timeframe for completion.
- Courses with withdrawal grades (W, WX,) are included in attempted hours, but not earned hours and do not affect grade point averages.
- Courses with grades of incomplete (I, PI) or not reported (NR) are included in attempted hours but not in earned hours or GPA calculations until changed to grades other than incomplete, not reported, or withdrawn.
- Federal financial aid may be paid for repeated coursework but may not include more than one repetition of a previously passed course. For example, if a Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ passes a course with a grade of D or better, federal financial aid can pay for only one more attempt of the same course.
- If a change of grade occurs after the semester, it is the Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s responsibility to contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine the impact on financial aid eligibility.
Failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and Appeal for Continuing Eligibility
Satisfactory Academic Progress is assessed at the end of every term – fall, spring, and summer – after final grades are posted. Email notifications are sent to the Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s UL Lafayette email address if the Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ does not meet SAP standards. The email notification includes instructions to appeal for the continuation of financial aid.
Financial Aid Warning: A Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ who fails to meet SAP (Overall GPA and/or Completion Rate) is placed on Financial Aid Warning. A Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ on Financial Aid Warning may receive federal financial aid for the next term of enrollment without appeal.
*There is no Warning Status for Maximum Hours. Once a Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ reaches Maximum Hours they are immediately placed on Financial Aid Suspension.
Financial Aid Suspension: A Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ who fails to meet SAP while on Financial Aid Warning is placed on Financial Aid Suspension and is not eligible to receive federal financial aid. The Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ may appeal to request the continuation of federal financial aid.
- A successful appeal allows the continuation of eligibility for federal financial aid for the next term.
- If the appeal is unsuccessful and the Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ wishes to reestablish eligibility for federal financial aid, the Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ must enroll, cover tuition and fees from sources other than federal financial aid, and meet SAP standards.
SAP Evaluation
Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµs fall into one of the following categories:
Good Standing | Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ has met SAP and is eligible for aid for the following semester. |
Warning | Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ has not met SAP. Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ is still eligible for financial aid but must have made progress by the end of the warning semester. |
Suspension | Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ has not made SAP after the warning period. Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ is no longer eligible for Financial Aid. |
Plan | Ìð¹ÏÊÓÆµ has not met SAP, but has an approved appeal and is eligible for financial aid for one semester. You will need to complete the semester with the required number of hours, an overall GPA of at least a 2.0, and any further appeal committee stipulations |