
The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is based on federal guidelines that require each college and university to ensure that student aid applicants are progressing through their academic programs at an acceptable pace while maintaining an acceptable cumulative grade point average. The policy is separate and apart from other academic policies at the university. Each degree is calculated separately from any previously earned degrees. If you have additional questions concerning your SAP appeal, please contact the Office of Academic Advising at advisement@southernct.edu.
SAP standards are comprised of both qualitative and quantitative measures. The qualitative measure is a student's cumulative GPA while the quantitative measure is comprised of both a student's earned credit completion rate (pace) and the maximum credit hour allowance.
Grade Point Average (Qualitative) Undergraduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 at SCSU and graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
Students are expected to successfully complete at least 67% of the cumulative credits attempted at SCSU. In addition to standard courses and grades, the following are included when calculating the credit completion rate:
Also transfer credits will be counted as attempted and earned credits in the calculation for determining SAP. For example:
Semester | Credits Attempted |
Summer 2023 | 3 credits |
Fall 2023 | 15 transfer credits |
Fall 2023 | 15 credits |
Spring 2024 | 15 credits |
In this example, the student transferred and registered for a total of 48 credits during Summer, Fall and Spring. Based on 48 credits, the student needs to pass a minimum of 32 credits (48 attempted credits multiplied by 67% = 32 credits) to successfully complete the credit completion rate. Note: If the student in this example had attempted credits during the winter 2022 and/or spring 2022 intersessions, those attempted credits would have been included in the calculation.
Maximum Credit Hours: A student is eligible to receive financial aid for up to 150% of the published credit hours for their educational program. This means a student in a 120 credit educational program reaches the 150% maximum at 180 attempted credits. This includes transferred credits. Therefore, students are not eligible for financial aid for credits attempted in excess of 180 credits.
Students working toward a second bachelor's degree must be aware of the 150% rule. The student pursuing a second bachelor's degree is eligible for up to 60 attempted credits toward the second bachelor's degree if the program is a 120 credit program.
Students must meet all the required SAP standards in order to receive financial aid from the following federal, state and institutional financial aid programs managed by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships:
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will review the academic records of financial aid recipients before disbursing aid for the upcoming semester. Academic records will be reviewed 14 days after the grade published date allowing for any necessary adjustments made by the Registrar. Any changes to pace or GPA made to a student's account after the 14 days will not be taken into consideration until the following SAP assessment period. Students who submit an appeal after the midpoint of the semester for which they are appealing will have their midterm grades considered as part of the decision-making process. Only students who meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress standards will have their aid disbursed.
The first semester in which a student fails to meet one of SCSU's SAP standards, a SAP "Warning" notification will be sent to the student via e-mail. The student will remain eligible for aid in the next term and if at the end of that term they are meeting the minimum SAP requirements the "Warning" status will be lifted.
The second consecutive semester in which a student fails to meet the minimum SAP standards, after the "Warning" semester, the student will be notified via e-mail of their ineligibility to receive financial aid at SCSU. If extenuating circumstances exist which caused the student to fail one of the SAP standards, the student can submit an appeal for review and possible reinstatement of his/her financial aid as determined by SCSU. SAP appeals may be based on factors such as: (1) the death of a relative; (2) an injury to or illness of the student; or (3) other special circumstances.
To file an appeal, a student must:
The Office of Academic Advising will review each appeal and make one of the following determinations:
If you have additional questions concerning your SAP appeal, please contact Academic Advising at advisement@southernct.edu.