Satisfactory Academic Progress: What It Is, How to Appeal
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To remain eligible for federal financial aid — grants, work-study funds and student loans — college students must meet certain standards in the classroom. In financial aid speak, those standards are called satisfactory academic progress. Here’s an overview of SAP and how to appeal if you’re not meeting the required benchmarks.
What is satisfactory academic progress?
To meet the SAP standards and stay eligible for federal financial aid, students typically need to do all of the following:
Maintain a certain grade point average
Complete a certain percentage of attempted credits
Make progress toward completing their degree within a certain time frame
Each school sets its own satisfactory academic progress policy, but typically students need to maintain at least a C average and be on pace to complete their program within 150% of the program’s length, according to the 2021-22 Federal Student Aid Handbook. Some schools have SAP calculators to help determine your pace. Check with your school’s financial aid office to find out the specific requirements you need to meet.
» MORE: Your guide to financial aid
What happens if you don't make satisfactory academic progress?
If you don’t make satisfactory academic progress, the school may give you a financial aid warning. You’ll still receive financial aid during the warning period, which typically lasts for one academic term. If you don’t catch up by the end of your warning period, your federal financial aid will be suspended.
How to make a SAP appeal
If you lose your federal financial aid eligibility because you didn’t meet your school’s SAP standards, you can appeal if the school allows it. Your school may accept your appeal if you experienced one of the following situations:
You or an immediate family member has a serious illness or injury
Death of a relative
Other special circumstances, such as domestic violence or family issues
In your appeal, explain why you didn’t make satisfactory academic progress and give examples of what you’re doing to catch up. Include copies of any relevant documents, such as a doctor’s note or obituary.
Here is an example of an SAP appeal letter:
What happens after you submit a satisfactory academic progress appeal
If your appeal is successful, you’ll be placed on financial aid probation and remain eligible for federal financial aid. During the probation period, your school may require you to have an academic plan for getting back on track.
If your appeal is unsuccessful, your financial aid will be suspended until you meet the SAP standards. Contact the school’s financial aid office to understand what you need to do to make satisfactory academic progress and your options for paying for college in the meantime. You may be able to get a private student loan, but some private lenders also require students to be making satisfactory academic progress.
