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Federal policy requires that schools have Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies and procedures to measure the academic progress of its students in meeting their degree requirements in a timely manner. If at any point it’s clear the student will not be able to meet the standard for graduation, the student becomes ineligible for aid. SAP is minimally measured once each academic for every aid recipient. Schools are required to include all coursework attempted even if aid was not received. The following components must be measured:
- Qualitative: The measure of a student’s cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). Minimally, a 2.0 GPA is required at the end of 2 academic years of study for a program that is more than 2 years in length, or have an academic standing consistent with UMA’s requirement for graduation.
- Quantitative: The measure of a student’s attempted vs. completed coursework over a minimum timeframe.
Minimum Time Frame: The minimum time necessary to have completed graduation requirements.
Maximum Time Frame: 150% of the published length of the program. Example: 120 hours needed to obtain a bachelor’s degree x 1.5= 180 total number of credits that can be attempted in order to have received the degree.
Financial Aid Probation
Students that do not meet either or both qualitative/quantitative standards are normally placed on warning (probation). This allows the student one additional semester of enrollment after the effective semester to come into compliance. NOTE: Students that have been placed on Probation will have their aid withheld from disbursement for all future semesters until grades for each preceding semester are reported to the UMA Registrar’s Office and compliance is confirmed.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students that do not meet SAP standards, normally after one semester of probation, are suspended from further receipt of aid at UMA. This suspension is permanent until the student has:
- Completed sufficient coursework on their own, without benefit of aid to re-establish their eligibility. The student must notify the UMA Financial Aid Office that additional coursework has been completed so that eligibility can be reviewed; or,
- Successfully appealed.
Upon successful appeal, including completion of additional coursework, the status will revert to Probation. Not attending classes or sitting out semester(s) will not re-establish eligibility. Suspension of aid does not affect the student’s enrollment. This is a financial aid action only and not an academic action. (See Academic Action.)
Appeals
UMA Financial Aid Office encourages students to submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form with supporting documentation after notification of Probation if the circumstances were beyond the student’s control. Federal regulations provide limited flexibility based upon appropriate documentation of circumstances including the major disruption of family life, such as divorce, death, or serious illness in the immediate family; Student’s serious illness or medical complications; or, other situations beyond the control of the student. Do not wait to submit an appeal at the point of Suspension. Students must request an appeal from the Financial Aid Office.