In accordance with requirements of the Higher Education Act (34 CFR 668.34), Keene State College has established certain standards for evaluating the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) of Title IV Financial Aid recipients. The College reviews its Satisfactory Academic Progress policies and procedures when changes at the federal or institutional level require us to do so to ensure compliance with federal regulations. This policy also extends to state and institutional aid programs (grant, loan, and work study).
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the measurement of a student’s academic progress towards the completion of their degree. The measurement evaluates three components to determine eligibility for financial aid. The review of a student’s SAP status is based on his or her entire academic record, even if he/she did not receive financial aid for previous semesters of enrollment. In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must satisfy all three components.
Undergraduate students must meet the following SAP criteria:
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
- Minimum completion rate of 67%
- Maximum time frame of 150% of defined academic length for bachelor’s degree programs
Graduate students must meet the following SAP criteria:
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
- Minimum completion rate of 67%
- Maximum time frame of 150% of defined academic length for master’s degree programs
The completion rate is calculated by dividing total attempted credits by total earned credits. A student’s completion rate must stay above 67% to be considered satisfactory for this component.
Attempted credits include successfully completed courses (i.e., grades of A, AB, B, BC, C, CD, D, P), non-passing grades (i.e., grade of F, IX), incomplete (i.e., grade of I, IP, XF), withdrawn courses (i.e., grade of W), transfer credits and repeated courses. Audited coursework are not included in attempted credits or GPA. Earned credits include successfully completed courses (i.e., grades of A, AB, B, BC, C, CD, D, P) and transfer credits. Audited coursework not included.
The maximum time frame is calculated by multiplying the published program length by 150 percent. Example: Published program length of 120 credits X 150% = 180 credits maximum time frame allowed to complete degree requirements. Implication: A student has attempted (not necessarily earned) 180 credits and has now exhausted his/her eligibility for financial aid.
Maximum time frame denials may not be appealed.
Evaluations and Notifications
The Financial Aid Office evaluates SAP annually at the end of each spring term for undergraduates and graduates, or upon re-enrollment into the college. SAP is also reviewed at the end of each probationary period as applicable. Students must be making SAP to continue to receive financial aid in a subsequent payment period, including summer term. Financial aid applicants not meeting SAP standards will be deemed ineligible to receive financial aid and will be sent notification to the student’s college email account.
Financial Aid Termination
Students that do not meet the college SAP standards are not eligible to receive financial aid. SAP status applies to financial aid eligibility and does not impact registration or academic standing.
Appeal Process
Students who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements for continuance of financial aid have the right to appeal when special circumstances exist. Conditions when a student may appeal include:
- If you or an immediate family member experienced a serious injury, illness or mental health condition
- If you experienced the death of immediate family member
- If you experienced other circumstances beyond your control
If you chose to appeal, you will need to:
- Complete an SAP Appeal Form: for the correct academic year or write a letter detailing the circumstances. Student statement must include why the student failed to meet SAP and what has changed that will allow the student to meet SAP at the end of the next evaluation period.
- Meet with Academic Advising Office and develop an academic plan: Both student and Academic Advising Office representative must sign SAP Academic Plan Form.
- Submit completed forms and supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office for review. Appeals will not be reviewed until ALL required forms have been completed and submitted.
Appeal documents submitted for a specific term will not be granted for that term if the if the appeal application is received more than 4 weeks from the first day of the term, if the student has stopped attending that term, or the student withdraws from all courses or the college while waiting for an appeal decision during that term.
An appeal reviewed by the Appeals Committee does not guarantee reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.
All appeals are reviewed by representatives of the Financial Aid Office. Students will be notified of the appeal decision within 3–4 weeks of submission. All appeal decisions are final.
Approved Appeals
Approved appeals will result in a period of financial aid probation. Written SAP approval notification will be sent to the student’s College email account.
Denied Appeals
Students whose appeals are denied are ineligible for financial aid. The student may enroll in coursework but will be responsible for payment in full of all incurred costs. Written denial notification will be sent to the student’s College email account. Students may wish to explore private/alternative education loans here; however, please note that some private loan lenders require SAP for participation in their loan program. Be sure you are selecting a lender that does not require SAP (SAP denied students are not eligible to receive a PLUS loan).
Financial Aid Probation
A student who fails to meet SAP but has successfully appealed will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester. During this probationary period, the student is considered eligible for financial aid. At the end of the probationary period, the Financial Aid Office will re-evaluate the student’s academic record to determine a current SAP status. Students who meet the requirements of their probation will remain eligible for financial aid. Students who do not follow their academic plan will lose eligibility and subsequent appeals may not be considered. Students who withdraw without extenuating circumstances while on an academic plan will not be allowed to appeal until they have met all SAP requirements.
Re-Establishing Financial Aid Eligibility
A student may regain financial aid eligibility by successfully meeting the College’s SAP policy requirements or successfully meeting the requirements of the established academic plan. Students must notify the office in writing of their intent to use financial aid again.
SAP and Paying Your Bill
If you are denied SAP or are currently on probation, the Student Accounts Office’s bill due date in many cases will be before the Financial Aid Office is able to review your most recent semester’s grades. You may need to make other payment arrangements (private loan that does not require SAP or a payment plan) to pay your balance while you wait for your grades to officially post and a subsequent review. Should you be approved for financial aid, loans and payment plans can be canceled or adjusted to compensate for the aid you are now eligible to receive.
Veterans Benefits
The Satisfactory Academic Progress policy stated herein applies to students using veterans tuition benefits under the GI BIll® and participating students who fail to meet the standards of the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy after a term of probation will be subject to termination of those veterans tuition benefits.