Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress
Once a student has been awarded financial aid, certain requirements must be met in order to receive subsequent aid disbursements. These requirements are commonly called Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Federal regulations require that MSWSPN review the Satisfactory Academic Progress of students who apply for and/or received financial assistance each payment period. In addition to meeting the standard for receiving financial aid, students must also meet the academic standards required for program completion at MSWSPN.
Satisfactory Academic Progress is comprised of three areas as required by federal regulations. A student must complete their educational program within a specified period, they must demonstrate that they are making progress towards the completion of their certificate by earning a minimum number of clock-hours each payment period, and achieve a minimum cumulative G.P.A.
Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion
Federal regulations specify that a student must complete his/her certificate within 150% of the published length of the program. Hours/weeks counted in the maximum time frame are all attempted hours/weeks (even when not a financial aid recipient). Attempted hours include:
- Earned hours/credits- Passed (grade A through D-), Pass
- Repeated Coursework (both attempts)
- Coursework from which you withdrew
- Failed Coursework
- Incomplete Coursework
- All transfer credits applicable towards your program of study
Pace of Completion-67%
Federal regulations require students to demonstrate steady progress towards program completion by earning at least 67% of the hours attempted each period. Earned academic hours includes:
- Grades A through D-
- Transferred credit
Minimum G.P.A.
Federal regulations require that a student meet minimum cumulative G.P.A. standards in order to retain eligibility for aid. A cumulative G.P.A. of a 2.2 on a 4.0 scale is required at MSWSPN. Credits transferred to MSWSPN are not used in the G.P.A. calculation.
Failure to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards may lose their financial aid eligibility at MSWSPN. After the students first failed SAP evaluation they will be placed on a one-time financial aid ‘Warning’ period. During the warning period they will continue to receive financial aid, however, if they have not met the SAP standards outlined above by the end of the warning period, they will not be eligible for additional financial aid. Students are notified in writing whenever their SAP status changes.
Appeal Process
The letter of denial from the Financial Aid Counselor will describe the appeal process, if one is available. An appeal may be granted if a student can demonstrate that unusual circumstances existed that contributed to the students inability to meet the required SAP standard. The appeal must explain how the special circumstances have been resolved so that the student will now be able to meet the required SAP standards.
An appeal must be submitted to the Financial Aid Counselor within the specified time-frame noted on the denial letter. If an appeal is granted, the student will be put on financial aid ‘Probation’ and provided with additional financial aid awards for one period of enrollment. At the end of the probation period, the student will be expected to meet all SAP standards.