Failing one class does not mean you'll automatically lose access to federal financial aid. But these funds do have academic eligibility requirements, as outlined in your school's satisfactory academic progress (SAP) guidelines.
If you don't meet your school's SAP requirements, you could lose access to future aid.
Federal aid comes from completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It can include need-based grants, work-study, and federal student loans. These could be taken away if you violate your school's SAP policy.
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 a degree within a certain time frame.
Each school sets its own satisfactory academic progress policy, which means it’s at the school’s discretion to determine how incomplete classes, withdrawal, change of major and transfer credits affect your satisfactory academic progress. However, students usually need to maintain at least a C average and be on pace to complete their program within 150% of the program’s length.
How often SAP evaluations occur varies. Some schools evaluate eligibility each semester, while others assess progress annually, typically after the spring term.
Check with your school’s financial aid office to find out the specific requirements you need to meet.
What happens if you fall below your school's SAP requirement?
Potential probation — then losing aid. Before cutting your access to federal financial aid, a school may issue a warning and put you on probation. You may still get federal funds during this period, but you'll be expected to improve your grades.
If your grades don't improve by the end of probation, you'll lose access to federal aid. How long you're cut off depends on how often your school reviews academic progress.
Opportunity to appeal. You may be able to appeal the school's decision to cut off your aid. In your appeal, explain why you missed SAP standards and include supporting documents.
Some schools allow probation if you missed SAP requirements because of a hardship — like a death in the family or a serious illness or injury.
If your appeal is approved, you may keep your financial aid eligibility while the college tracks your progress.
How do you regain eligibility for financial aid?
To regain access to federal aid, you'll need to show your institution that you can make satisfactory academic progress as outlined by the financial aid office. You might need to:
File a satisfactory academic progress appeal. Depending on the school's process, filing an approved SAP appeal could help you regain access to aid faster by placing you on probation, where your performance is evaluated more frequently.
Retake courses at your current school. To improve your GPA or pass more classes, you may need to retake what you previously failed.
You may need to consider private student loans to cover the gap in funding — but only as a last resort. Make sure you have a solid plan to improve your grades and meet SAP standards first.
Transfer to a less expensive college. Consider transferring to a less expensive university or community college while you raise your GPA and accumulate enough credits to meet SAP requirements. You can also enroll part-time so that you can work and money while taking classes.
Submit the FAFSA every year. Your completed FAFSA is valid for one academic year. Complete the FAFSA each year to qualify for federal aid, especially if you're in better academic standing and are now meeting SAP requirements.
