Evaluation of Academic Progress
At the end of each semester, academic progress will be measured by comparing the number of attempted credit hours (including accepted transfer credits) with the credit hours earned and by the student's cumulative grade point average. This includes any course for which the student has remained enrolled past the add/drop period. The following criteria are considered when evaluating a student's SAP:
Credits Attempted: Credits attempted are defined as all classes for which a student receives a passing grade (D- or better, or P), or an F, I, W, L, or WA. Excluded credits are counted as withdrawals—attempted, but not completed.
Credits Completed: Credits completed are defined as all classes for which a student receives a passing grade of D- or better, or P.
Credits Excluded from the Pace Calculation: Remedial credits will not be counted as credits attempted or completed. Audit credits also do not count as credits attempted or completed.
Repeat Courses: Repeat courses count as attempted and completed credits. Financial aid will be paid for repeat courses when the initial grade is an F. Financial aid will only be paid twice for a repeat course if the course has been passed with a D- or better at any time.
By rule, SAP standards must include both a qualitative standard and a quantitative standard:
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Qualitative Requirement: A student must maintain an acceptable GPA in order to continue to receive financial assistance. The criterion is the maintenance of a 2.0 cumulative GPA; initially, students with less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on warning and have one semester to improve their academic record before being placed on suspension. Grade point averages are monitored by the Registrar's Office; see Policies and Procedures for additional information. Students placed on warning are eligible to receive financial aid.
Please note: College scholarships and some state and federal grants are reduced if the student's cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0. Students should refer to their award letter and Financial Aid Handbook or the Office of Student Financial Aid for additional information.
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Quantitative Requirement: A sliding scale is used to monitor an undergraduate student's quantitative requirement. The completion rate is calculated by dividing the number of successfully completed credits by the number of attempted credits over the student's entire academic career, including all accepted transfer credits and any credits earned during periods of enrollment when the student was not receiving financial aid. If a student changes course of study (major), the hours attempted under all courses of study are included in the calculation of attempted and earned hours.
Maximum Time Limit (Pace)
Pace is required to ensure students complete their program of study within the maximum time frame. Timeframe is calculated by a student's ability to complete an undergraduate program, measured in credit hours, a period no longer than 150 percent of the published length of the program. That is, students must complete the 124 credits required for completion of a C of I degree; 150 percent of total credits is 186 credits, at which point the student may lose financial aid eligibility. Students must complete 67% of all credits attempted at C of I and those transferred and accepted from other schools.
Please note: If a SAP review makes it clear the student cannot mathematically complete the degree in the allotted time frame or is unable to raise the GPA to the minimum 2.0 within the maximum time frame, the student is placed on suspension.
Pace of Progression
Pace is calculated by dividing cumulative credits successfully completed by cumulative credits attempted.
Cumulative Credits Successfully Completed ÷ Cumulative Credits Attempted = Percent Completed
At each SAP review, students must have completed 67% of all credits attempted.
Pace to Completion
To ensure federal compliance, students who enroll in a degree program and have earned 124* credits or more, including transfer and regular credits, should be on an academic plan or applying for graduation, at which time a credit evaluation will be completed.
*For undergraduate students to reach 124 credits, enrollment will be approximately 16 credits each fall and spring semester for four years.
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If the remaining credits needed to complete the bachelor's degree plus the credits already attempted will cause the student to exceed the 186 maximum allowable attempted credits, the student will be required to complete a petition.
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Students are no longer eligible for financial assistance once they have received 186 undergraduate credits during their academic career or after they have graduated.
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The exception to this is enrollment in the fifth-year internship program through the education department, which occurs after a student graduates.
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Failure to Make
Satisfactory Academic Progress
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Failure After
Warning Semester
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Failure During
Probationary Status |
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Student is granted one semester of aid eligibility on warning status. No appeal is necessary, but the student should meet with his/her advisor to assure success for future semesters.
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Student may appeal by submitting:
1. Completed Appeal Form;
2. An academic plan for success created by the student and advisor; and
3. Supporting documentation regarding any extenuating circumstances.
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Student is ineligible for further aid until he/she can regain SAP eligibility without aid, or submit an additional appeal.
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