Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) denotes a student's successful completion of coursework toward a degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor the progress of each student toward degree completion. Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes in a maximum timeframe, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal and state aid and university aid administered by OFA.

To maintain SAP, a student must:

 Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) – The minimum for undergraduates is based upon the academic level and ranges from a 1.6 at the end of the freshman year to a 2.0 by the end of the senior year.  (GPA requirements for scholarships may be higher.)  For graduate students, minimum grade point requirements are defined by their academic unit.

 Complete at least 75 percent of all credit hours each semester - For example, an undergraduate student who enrolls for 12 credit hours and completes only 9 credit hours has completed 75 percent of attempted credit hours.

 Complete a degree program in a maximum timeframe of no more than 150 percent of the average length of the program - For example, the average number of credit hours it should take to complete a Literature, Science and the Arts (LS&A) undergraduate degree program is 120 credits. Using that average, 150 percent would equal 180 credit hours which would be the maximum number for which an LS&A student could receive financial aid (assuming the above requirements are also met). The 150 percent standard applies to graduate students based on average program length as defined by a student’s academic unit.

• For transfer students: The number of transfer hours accepted at the point of admission will be used to calculate the student’s remaining eligibility under the 150 percent calculation and will be included in the quantitative calculation which includes number of credits attempted and completed.

• For undergraduate students dually enrolled or who are double majors: Students who have completed all required coursework for a major or degree are only eligible to receive loan funds (even if they have not completed a release form and a diploma application for graduation.)  This includes any student pursuing a double major or dual degree who has completed necessary coursework for one major or degree and who is completing coursework for the second major or degree.

• For second undergraduate degree students: These students are only eligible to receive loan funds. (See above note on dual enrollment and double majors.) Second-degree students will be given 150 percent of stated credit hours required for the program.

Note:  Students cannot receive a Michigan Grant for more than 10 full-time semesters.
 

At the end of each Winter term, OFA will review the progress of each student. Students who have not met all three of the requirements listed above (for all terms enrolled, not just those terms that the student received aid) will be notified in writing that they are on SAP suspension. A student may appeal SAP suspension if he/she believes that extenuating circumstances prevented normal academic success or successful completion of the terms of SAP. To appeal, the student must complete the SAP Appeal Form, which allows the student to explain and document their circumstances and develop an Academic Recovery Plan in consultation with an academic adviser. Examples of extenuating circumstances include personal or family critical illness (both physical and mental), natural disaster impacting the student or family's home, assault, etc. If an SAP appeal is approved, the student will be placed on SAP financial aid probation.

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Financial aid probation means you have one semester (or as specified by the Academic Recovery Plan) to meet the SAP requirements in order to remain eligible for financial aid. Students continue to receive aid while on financial aid probation.

Students on financial aid probation will be monitored for improvement and/or adherence to probationary terms.  While on probation, a student is expected to complete all courses for which she or he is registered with a semester GPA of at least 2.0 (for undergraduates) or the minimum GPA requirements determined by his/her academic unit (for graduate students). A minimum of 12 credit hours must be completed satisfactorily. Probation will not be extended beyond one additional semester.

Note: Any student who is placed on academic probation by his or her School or College is also considered to be on financial aid probation under SAP. The student is expected to comply with the requirements of both the college or department and OFA. Academic holds are used by U-M schools and colleges to prevent future registration by students who need to resolve academic issues. The Office of Financial Aid will not determine your financial aid eligibility or release financial aid funds to you until all academic holds are removed from your record by your school or college.

Students who fail to adhere to the terms of financial aid probation are not eligible for aid. A written notification is sent to all students who fail to comply with the terms of their probation.

A student can regain eligibility by doing these three things and notifying the U-M Office of Financial Aid when they have been accompllished:

 Complete 100 percent of attempted credit hours; and

 Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours or 8 credit hours for graduate students at U-M (or as specified in the Academic Recovey Plan) without the benefit of financial aid. Students may take the credits at another institution of higher education if approved by their academic advisor; and

 Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates (for graduate students, the GPA requirements of their academic unit)

Note: A student who has lost eligibility may not automatically regain it by sitting out (not attending) for a semester.

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Contact a financial aid advisor if you have been notified that your financial aid eligibility has been suspended and you believe you have special circumstances that relate to your SAP.  With proper documentation of circumstances (i.e., doctor's notice, letter from academic advisor, etc.), you may appeal by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form.  Also contact your academic advisor to help you develop a plan for achieving good academic standing.

• GRADES
 
Only courses for which the student received a grade of A, B, C, D or P are acceptable. A grade of E, F, I, ED, W, NR or X is not acceptable. Students who fail to complete at least 75 percent of attempted credit hours because of incomplete grades or who withdraw from all classes will have their financial aid suspended.

• REPEATED CLASSES

A student may not receive financial aid to repeat a class for which a grade of W, I, NR or X was received that was not completed within a maximum time frame. U-M will allow students who receive a non-passing grade to repeat a class once. (However, repeating classes that will not result in additional hours or Michigan Honor Points (per university policy) will not improve the students' completion rate.)

• TERMS WITH ALL FAILING GRADES

Students will be asked to verify attendance during a term in which all grades received are unacceptable (as defined above).  Failure to verify attendance will result in cancellation of all aid for the term.

Academic holds are used by U-M schools and colleges to prevent future registration by students who need to resolve academic issues. If you have an academic hold, OFA will not determine your financial aid eligibility or release financial aid funds to you until the academic hold is removed from your record by your school or college. To resolve academic hold situations, contact your school or college academic advisor.

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