Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

UW-Stevens Point students must demonstrate “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (SAP) in all three areas of GPA, Pace (67% Rule), and Maximum Timeframe (150% Rule) in order to receive federal financial aid. Students who are not eligible to receive federal financial aid due to lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress may appeal to have their financial aid eligibility reinstated.

Note: SAP Probation for the purpose of financial aid eligibility is separate and distinct from academic probation/suspension. Students in good academic standing can continue to enroll in courses at UWSP, even though they are ineligible to receive financial aid.Appeals must be received and reviewed (with a decision made) by the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services before the last day of the term of your enrollment. Per federal regulations, any appeal received after the last day of the term of enrollment will not be reviewed and eligibility for financial aid for that term can no longer be considered.

SAP FAQS

Evaluation Process

The GPA, Pace and Maximum Time Frame requirements are evaluated by the Financial Aid and Veteran Services office after every term (Summer/Fall/Spring), once grades are posted. A student who does not meet the GPA, Pace, or Maximum Time Frame requirement(s) will be ineligible to receive financial aid.

Student Options

Choose to continue to enroll in classes without financial aid until they earn an academic standing that meets the minimum criteria for financial aid purposes, i.e. bring the cumulative GPA up to at least a 2.0 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students and/or successfully complete 67% of accumulative attempted credits. Once the student has corrected the SAP deficiency of Pace/GPA, it is possible for aid to be reinstated.
Provide documentation to the Financial Aid and Veteran Services office to correct any errors made, and/or
Submit an appeal that explains the extenuating circumstances that prevented successful Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and specific steps on how they will reach SAP by the next evaluation period, or the student’s academic plan ensures meeting SAP by a specific point in time. This appeal requires the development and submission of an academic plan.

SAP Appeal Process

A student who did not meet SAP for financial aid and is currently ineligible to receive financial aid may appeal for reinstatement of eligibility by completing the SAP Appeal Form. This form must include a clear explanation of why the student failed to meet SAP and specifically, what steps the student plans to take to meet SAP by the next evaluation. Additional supporting documentation confirming the appealed situation may also be required.

All appeals must also include an academic plan identifying dates by which the student will meet all aspects of the SAP policy. If the appeal is approved, the student is subsequently placed on Academic Plan Status for one term, after which, the student must be meeting SAP or be following their approved academic plan. If the student is not meeting SAP and/or not following their approved academic plan at the next evaluation, the student will not receive Financial Aid until they are once again in compliance.

Complete the SAP Appeal Form and
Meet with your Academic Advisor or Department Chair (or their designee) to develop an academic plan and
Electronically submit the Appeal Form (and the academic plan) to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services for review and possible approval.

Students with extenuating circumstances that prevented them from making SAP have the right to appeal their situation to the Financial Aid Office. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, student injury or illness, death of a student’s relative or other reasons resulting in undue hardship to the student. Students must submit the Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility form, a copy of their Degree Progress Report (DPR), an Advisor/Chair (or designee)-approved academic plan, and any other related documentation that supports the appeal (see additional information on supporting documentation). Per Federal regulations, an appeal may only be approved if the student shows that they will be able to meet SAP by the next evaluation, or the student’s academic plan ensures meeting SAP by a specific point in time. The authorized Financial Aid officer(s) will serve as the final arbiter of appeals and will inform the student of the decision regarding their appeal and the status of their financial aid eligibility. All decisions are final and are not subject to further appeal.

If denied, the student may attend UWSP, without financial aid, and re-appeal when all components of SAP are met. If the appeal is approved, the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation Status for one term, after which, the student must be meeting SAP or be following their approved academic plan. If the student is not meeting SAP or following their academic plan at the next evaluation, they will be ineligible to receive financial aid until they are in compliance.

Academic Plan

All appeals require an academic plan identifying dates by which the student will meet all aspects of the SAP policy. Students with an undeclared major should meet with an academic advisor in the Academic and Career Advising Center (ACAC) and students who have declared a major should meet with the Chair (or their designee) of their academic area to create their own individualized academic plan. Whoever the student meets with and who makes the decision on the appeal, must sign off on this.

SAP Statuses

Grade Point Average (GPA):

All undergraduate students receiving financial aid must maintain a minimum 2.0 UWSP and Transfer cumulative GPA (all coursework transferred in is considered into this cumulative GPA), while graduate students receiving financial aid must maintain a UWSP and Transfer minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Note: Standards of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid are different from the University’s probation/suspension requirements listed in the UWSP Catalog. Additionally, academic bankruptcy is not counted when calculating SAP.

Pace (67% Rule):

All full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students at UWSP who receive financial aid must stay on pace to graduate on time. Pace is calculated by dividing the total credits a student completed per term by the number of credits they have attempted per term. When this calculation falls below 67%, a student is no longer on pace to graduate on time and is ineligible to receive financial aid. Transfer credits are considered within this pace calculation as credits attempted and credits earned. Pace Chart.

Maximum Time Frame (150% Rule):

An eligible undergraduate, graduate, or second degree-seeking student can receive federal financial aid while attempting up to, but not exceeding, 150% of the university’s degree completion length. Credits transferred to UWSP and any credits attempted at UWSP, with or without the benefit of financial aid, must be taken into consideration. For example, a student who is required to earn 60 credits to graduate with an associate degree, the maximum time frame is 90 credits (60 x 150% = 90); a student who is required to earn 120 credits to graduate with a baccalaureate degree, the maximum time frame is 180 credits (120 x 150% = 180).

SAP FAQs

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is used to define successful completion of coursework to maintain eligibility for financial aid. Federal regulations require UWSP to establish, publish and apply standards to monitor your progress toward completion of your degree program. If you fail to meet these standards, your eligibility for financial aid will be impacted. Three components of SAP include a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate students and a 3.0 for graduate students, the successful completion of at least 67% of credits attempted and maximum time frame of 150% of the university’s completion length.

When is SAP Calculated?

SAP will be calculated at the end of each term (summer/fall/spring).

What is a Financial Aid Warning status?

You will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one term (defined as summer, fall or spring) if you fail to meet the required cumulative grade point average, pace standard, and/or exceed the maximum time frame of the University’s length of your educational program. While on Financial Aid warning, you may still receive financial aid. To be removed from Financial Aid Warning, you must attain the required cumulative GPA and/or credit completion standards (67%) by the end of your warning period. If you fail to do so, your financial aid eligibility will be suspended until you are again meeting the standards of SAP.

What is a Financial Aid Suspension status?

If you do not attain the required cumulative GPA and/or credit completion standard during your warning period, or exceed your maximum timeframe of 150% of the published degree credits required to complete your program, you will be placed on financial aid suspension. While on suspension, you are not eligible for financial aid. You may attend UWSP, at your own expense, until you attain the required cumulative GPA and pace requirement. To regain financial aid eligibility, your records must reflect that you have met these standards. If you failed to meet these standards due to unusual circumstances, you may appeal your SAP suspension status.

What grade point must I maintain in order to keep financial aid eligibility?

All undergraduate students receiving financial aid must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and all graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. All coursework transferred in is considered into this cumulative GPA.

How do I determine what GPA I need to earn for the semester in order to meet the cumulative GPA requirement?

You may access the GPA calculator at https://mypoint.uwsp.edu/regrec/regrec069/ at the Office of the Registrar’s website to calculate the GPA required to meet the cumulative GPA standards for financial aid eligibility. Your Degree Progress Report (DPR) may be accessed in accesSPoint, where you may find your completion percentage and your GPA information.

How is pace calculated?

Pace is measured by dividing the total number of credits successfully completed by the total number of credits attempted as shown below:

Pace = Total # of credits successfully completed
Total # of credits attempted

What are “attempted” credits?

The grades of A, B, C, D (+ or -) F, P, I W, NR and credit by exam are considered credits attempted. Attempted credits are calculated based upon the grading period and after which time a grade is posted.

What are “completed” credits?

The successful completion of a credit attempted is credit for which a grade of A, B, C, D (+ or -), or P is received and credits by exam. Do not include grades of F, I, or W. The grade of D for a Graduate student is not considered successful completion of the credit(s) attempted.

How is program length determined?

How do I appeal my SAP status?

Complete the SAP Appeal Form and
Meet with your Academic Advisor or Department Chair (or their designee) to develop an academic plan and
Electronically submit the Appeal Form (and the academic plan) to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services for review and possible approval.

What is an Academic Plan?

An academic plan is a multi-semester guide which, in some cases, require students to successfully complete a certain number of credits per semester, or earn a specific semester GPA (or both) so as to meet SAP requirements by a particular point in time. An academic plan is developed when:

a student successfully appeals Financial Aid Suspension and it is determined that SAP requirements cannot be/will not be met at the end of one semester; or
a student fails to meet SAP at the end of their probationary period and successfully appeals Financial Aid Suspension.

The academic plan must detail how the student will make up their deficiencies:

If deficient in completion percentage (67% rule), the number of credits required for each future term to eventually meet the 67% rule by the conclusion of the plan.
If deficient in GPA, the minimum GPA required for each future term to eventually meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement by the conclusion of the plan.
If maximum number of terms of eligibility has been reached, complete the number of additional future terms required to complete degree requirements.

Is there a deadline for submitting an appeal to my SAP hold?

In order to be processed within a reasonable timeframe, appeals must be submitted by the end of last day of the term of enrollment.

I have been academically suspended from the University. Is this the same as Financial Aid Suspension?

Academic suspension standards are separate and distinct from the Financial Aid suspension policy. If you have been suspended from the University, you are not eligible to continue classes at UW-Stevens Point for a period of time. If you are suspended academically, you will be sent a copy of your academic record and a letter that further explains your situation.

I am in “good academic standing”. Why am I unable to receive financial aid?

Academic standards are separate and distinct from the Financial Aid suspension policy. Students can continue to enroll in courses at UWSP even though ineligible to receive financial aid. Students in this situation must fund their education through other means than financial aid or successfully appeal their financial aid status.

If I withdraw (for any reason, medical or otherwise) from school, how will this impact my financial aid in the future?

Should you withdraw from school (for any reason) all credits for which you were enrolled will be considered in the calculation of your Satisfactory Academic Progress as attempted credits. The Pace and Maximum Time Frame components will be affected by your withdrawal.

Glossary

Term	Fall/Spring/Summer session (if attended)
Attempted credits	The grades of A, B, C, D (+ or -) F, P, I, W, NR and credits by exam are considered credits attempted. Attempted credits are calculated based upon the grading period and after which time a grade is posted.
Audited credits	Audited courses are not funded by financial aid and not considered under any aspect of the SAP Policy unless a student changes their course to Audit after the 100% adjustment to tuition and fee period. This would affect Pace and Maximum Time Frame.
Consortium agreements (agreements with another college/university to pay for courses at that institution)	Credit(s) obtained at other institutions that are part of a consortium agreement are counted in the Pace and Maximum Time Frame components.
Credits completed	The successful completion of a credit attempted is credit for which a grade of A, B, C, D (+ or -), or P is received and credits by exam. Do not include grades of F, I or W. The grade of D for a Graduate student is not considered successful completion of the credit(s) attempted.
Dropping a class	A dropped class receiving a W grade affects the Pace and Maximum Time Frame components of SAP but is not included in the cumulative GPA.
Financial Aid Probation Status	This occurs when a student successfully appeals SAP suspension. At the end of the approved SAP appeal probation period, the student undergoes re-evaluation of their academic progress to see if they have met SAP standards so they may remain eligible for financial aid.
Financial Aid Suspension Status	This occurs in the term following a SAP warning or SAP probation when a student fails to meet SAP requirements as previously warned. Financial aid eligibility is on hold pending a successful SAP appeal.
Financial Aid Warning Status	This occurs at the end of the first term that the student does not meet SAP. A communication warns them that failure to correct the lack of SAP (either GPA or 67% rule) or Maximum Time Frame (150% rule) will result in the loss of financial aid eligibility at the start of the following term.
Incompletes	An incomplete counts as credit(s) attempted and credit(s) not earned until a passing grade is posted. Incompletes affect the Pace and Maximum Time Frame Components. Once a letter grade (A, B, C, D, and F) is assigned, it will be factored into the GPA determination the next time SAP is calculated.
Remedial courses	Remedial credits are counted in Pace and Maximum Time Frame. A grade of F is calculated into GPA. All remedial credits are counted toward enrollment status.
Repeated credits	Repeated credit(s) count as attempted credit(s) as many times as the course is repeated. Repeating credits apply to GPA, Pace, and Maximum Time Frame components. A student can only repeat courses where the previous grade received does not lead to progression within their program.
Withdrawals from the university (all classes)	Official and unofficial withdrawals will impact the Pace and Maximum Time Frame components. Withdrawals (W): Courses dropped after the add/drop period for which the student receives a “W” grade is not included in the cumulative GPA. If you failed to officially withdraw from your course(s), the “F” grade received is included in the cumulative GPA.
Changes in Major/Double major/Second Degree	All attempted and completed credits are counted in both the Pace and Maximum Time Frame components. Students who change majors are at risk of exceeding Maximum Time Frame before obtaining a degree. Students pursuing 1st and 2nd major simultaneously will only be allowed 150% of the credits needed towards their first major. Students pursuing a second degree are held to the undergraduate Maximum Time Frame (150% Rule). These situations could result in needing to appeal Maximum Time Frame.
Winterim	Coursework taken for Winterim will be evaluated for SAP with the Spring term.