Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal (SAP Appeal)
Federal regulations allow for certain student cases in which the institutions may grant a SAP Appeal. This process is called Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals; the SAP Appeals may be considered if a student’s failure to comply with one or more areas of Satisfactory Academic Progress is due to events beyond the student’s control, such as a student’s extended illness, serious illness or death in the immediate family or other significant life experience that impacted the student’s emotional and/or physical health, and if such mitigating circumstances can be appropriately documented for the specific term(s) in which the deficiency occurred. Eligibility to receive financial aid funds may be regained by appeal. Students wishing to appeal must have a current FAFSA application on file and complete all verification requirements. SAP Appeals are not considered in the Summer. Contact the Student Financial Aid & Veteran Affairs Service Center to obtain a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. SAP Appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis; and when granted are granted only once.The following circumstances are not considered extenuating and beyond the student's control, but based on personal choices:
- Incarceration resulting from a guilty verdict
- Voluntary pause, lapse, or termination of employment
- Voluntary overtime
- Young and irresponsible
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Procedure
SAP Appeal applications for FALL semester are available from July through September. Appeal applications for SPRING semester are available from November through February. After the the official reporting day (12th Class Day) no appeal applications will be accepted. Processing time for an Appeal application may take a minimum of 2 to 5 weeks from the time the appeal is submitted to the time a decision is reached. All appeals shall be documented using the current form.
FALL**Priority will be given to appeal applications submitted before August. Appeal applications submitted after August will be processed after the official reporting day. Students must pay tuition, fees, books, supplies etc. while the appeal is in process.
SPRING **Priority will be given to appeals submitted before December. Appeal applications submitted after December be processed after the official reporting day. Students must pay tuition, fees, books, supplies etc. while the appeal is in process.
Students with an approved appeal will be placed on Financial Aid Probation Status. Student must sign and abide by the contract that specifies conditions necessary to be eligible for the following term; corrective measures to enhance a student’s success may be imposed. These conditions include:
- Maintain a 2.5 Minimum GPA;
- A 100% enrollment completion of hours taken and to regain "Good Standing";
- Remain on schedule to complete current academic degree plan and/or
- Enroll for courses designated in the students' declared academic degree plan.
The contract also states the consequences of failure to meet those requirements, those consequences are the following:
- Students who do not meet the conditions of the SAP Appeal will no longer be eligible for financial assistance;
- Students will not be allowed to appeal the Financial Aid Suspension a second time and,
- All decisions made by the SAP Appeal Committee are final.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee
Student appeals for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility are reviewed by SAP Appeals Committee. The student does not meet with the SAP Appeals Committee. All correspondence with the student is conducted via e-mail. The SAP Appeals Committee is the final authority in determining whether financial aid is extended or denied. The committee communicates its decision to the student via e-mail. The committee’s decision is final and cannot be overturned.