{"id":168,"date":"2026-05-20T18:36:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T18:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test-uwsp-multi.pantheonsite.io\/financial-aid-and-veteran-services\/?page_id=168"},"modified":"2026-05-27T21:40:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T21:40:58","slug":"satisfactory-academic-progress","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.uwsp.edu\/financial-aid-and-veteran-services\/satisfactory-academic-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"Satisfactory Academic Progress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Satisfactory Academic Progress<\/div>
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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UW-Stevens Point students must demonstrate \u201cSatisfactory Academic Progress\u201d (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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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SAP FAQS<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Glossary<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
SAP FORMS<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
GPA CALC<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
DPR<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Evaluation Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  1. 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Provide documentation to the Financial Aid and Veteran Services office to correct any errors made, and\/or<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. 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\u2019s academic plan ensures meeting SAP by a specific point in time.  This appeal requires the development and submission of an academic plan.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    SAP Appeal Process <\/summary>
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    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.\u00a0This form must include a clear explanation of why the student\u00a0failed to meet SAP and specifically, what steps the student plans to take to meet SAP by the next evaluation.\u00a0\u00a0Additional\u00a0supporting documentation\u00a0confirming the appealed situation may also be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Complete the SAP\u00a0Appeal Form and\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Meet with your Academic Advisor or Department Chair (or their designee) to develop an academic plan and<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Electronically submit the Appeal Form (and the academic plan) to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services for review and possible approval. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Academic Plan <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      SAP Statuses<\/summary>
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      G<\/strong>rade Point Average (GPA): <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      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.  \u200bNote: Standards of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid are different from the University’s probation\/suspension requirements listed in the UWSP Catalog.<\/a> Additionally, academic bankruptcy is not counted when calculating SAP. \u200b\u200b\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Pace (67% Rule): <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Maximum Time Frame (150% Rule): <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      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\u2019s 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).\u200b<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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      SAP FAQs<\/i><\/div>
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      What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?<\/summary>
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      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<\/strong> of 2.0 for undergraduate students and a 3.0 for graduate students, the successful completion of at least 67%<\/strong> of credits attempted and maximum time frame<\/strong> of 150% of the university\u2019s completion length.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      When is SAP Calculated?<\/summary>
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      SAP will be calculated at the end of each term (summer\/fall\/spring).<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      What is a Financial Aid Warning status?<\/summary>
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      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\u200b, 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.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      What is a Financial Aid Suspension status?<\/summary>
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      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<\/em>.  While on suspension, you are not<\/strong> 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.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      What grade point must I maintain in order to keep financial aid eligibility?<\/summary>
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      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.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      How do I determine what GPA I need to earn for the semester in order to meet the cumulative GPA requirement?<\/summary>
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      You may access the GPA calculator at <\/mark>https:\/\/mypoint.uwsp.edu\/regrec\/regrec069\/<\/mark><\/a> 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,\u200b\u200b where you may find your completion percentage and your GPA information.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      How is pace calculated?<\/summary>
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      Pace is measured by dividing the total number of credits successfully completed by the total number of credits attempted as shown below:<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Pace = Total # of credits successfully completed
                   Total # of credits attempted<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      What are \u201cattempted\u201d credits?<\/summary>
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      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.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      What are \u201ccompleted\u201d credits?<\/summary>
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      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.<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      How is program length determined?<\/summary>
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      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\u2019s 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).<\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

      How do I appeal my SAP status?<\/summary>
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      1. Complete the SAP\u00a0Appeal Form <\/mark>and\u00a0<\/strong><\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Meet with your Academic Advisor or Department Chair (or their designee) to develop an academic plan and<\/strong><\/mark><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Electronically submit the Appeal Form (and the academic plan) to the Office of Financial Aid and Veteran Services for review and possible approval. \u200b<\/mark><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n
        What is an Academic Plan?<\/summary>
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        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:<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n