The Daily Bulletin Archive

Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the regulatory framework used to determine whether or not a student has made acceptable progress toward a degree or certificate for continued aid eligibility. These regulations place accountability on both the institution and the student to promote the efficient use of federal aid funds and encourage timely degree completion. The Financial Aid Office (FAO) reviews SAP after grades are officially posted each semester. (Note: J-Term is included in the spring review.) 

Students must meet or exceed each of the following three federal SAP standards:

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

• Undergraduate students must maintain an overall GPA of at least a 2.0. 
• Graduate students must maintain an overall GPA of at least a 3.0. 

2. Cumulative Pace Rate (Earned Credits/Attempted Credits)

• All students (undergraduate and graduate) must successfully complete at least 66.67 percent of all courses they attempt. Grades that are considered unsuccessful attempts, thereby lowering the pace rate, include F, U, E, I, IP, N, W, EV, X, and grades removed through clemency.
  
  Exception: New first-time freshmen must successfully complete 50 percent of their courses their first two semesters. Beginning with their third semester, their cumulative pace rate must be at least 66.67 percent.

3. Maximum Time Frame

• All students must be able to complete their degree or certificate program within 150 percent of the published program length, as measured in credit hours. Federal aid is terminated when the FAO determines that it is no longer mathematically possible for the student to complete the degree within this time frame. Students cannot appeal the maximum time frame standard for any reason.
  
  Example: For a degree program that requires 120 earned credits, students must be able to complete the degree within 180 credit hour attempts (120 x 150%).

Students who do not meet the minimum federal SAP standards are given one warning semester to come into compliance while still receiving aid. If the SAP standards are not met at the end of the warning semester, students forfeit federal aid eligibility until all standards are met. Federal aid includes all federal grants, loans, and work-study. In limited cases, students who have experienced a mitigating circumstance (e.g., death of a parent) may appeal to have their aid reinstated for one semester.

Additional SAP Resources:

• Federal SAP Guide
• Case studies of each SAP component
• Federal aid appeal process

If you have questions regarding this article, please contact us at finaid@buffalostate.edu or ext. 4902. All questions and answers will be posted in the “You Asked for It” section of the FAO website. Click on the “Faculty and Staff” link (bottom left).