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Satisfactory Academic Progress

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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards ensure that students are successfully completing their coursework and can continue to receive financial aid. All students receiving financial aid are required to meet SAP standards which are measured using both qualitative and quantitative methods such as, GPA requirements, completion rate, and time frame.

Federal regulations require the University to establish, publish, and apply standards to monitor each student's progress toward completing their degree program. If a student fails to meet the SAP standards, they will be placed on financial aid warning or suspension. Students whose eligibility for financial aid has been terminated may appeal the decision if they believe that they had extenuating circumstances leading to their unsatisfactory progress.

In order to appeal, the student must complete the SAP Recovery Packet (PDF), a typed personal statement, and provide a copy of their degree plan from Degree Works.

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards

  • Academic Standards

    Students must maintain a cumulative GPA minimum requirement at the end of each academic year for all credit hours attempted. If the cumulative GPA drops below the minimum requirement, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid.

    Undergraduate Students: Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0

    Graduate Students: Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0

    Calculate Your GPA: http://www.uiw.edu/registrar/gpacalculation.html

  • Completion Rate
  • Maximum Timeframe 

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) FAQs

  • How is my progress reviewed?

    At the end of every spring semester, our office will review the progress of every financial aid recipient to determine their eligibility for financial aid for the upcoming aid year.

  • What happens if I drop a class?

    Dropping coursework affects your cumulative completion percentage; that is, the percentage of hours you have earned versus those you have attempted. The cumulative percentage includes any coursework attempted/earned at any previous college/university.

    Dropping can cause you to lose eligibility for current or future aid due to renewal requirements for specific aid funds, or the federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirement. If you are already on SAP probation, you may lose all future eligibility for aid, unless you submit a new appeal and it is approved.

    Any time you withdraw or drop below half-time enrollment, we are required to report the change in enrollment to your student loan servicers. This may trigger you to go into your grace period (typically 6 months) and subsequently into repayment on your student loans.

  • What if I withdraw from all of my classes?

    You should always contact the Office of Financial Assistance before you withdraw to find out what kind of financial impact this will have on your aid. When you withdraw from a semester (or a mini-term), the Dept. of Education requires that we calculate how much of the time you were scheduled to attend (i.e. registered) versus the time you actually attended. This results in a percentage that may require us to return part of your aid. This is required even if you completed a previous mini-term in the same semester AND even if you receive a 100% refund of tuition/fees. Withdrawals also cause a reduction in your cumulative completion percentage, since they are hours attempted that you have not earned. This can cause you to lose eligibility for future aid (pending an appeal) due to the federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

    Students on financial aid who do not finish all courses in a semester or who stop attendance, are subject to having their paid financial aid returned in part to the government. This is known as Return of Title IV funds. In addition, students who cease a minimum of half-time enrollment will enter their grace period for their loans and can incur a balance to the University due to funds pulling back.

  • What happens if I don't meet SAP requirements?

    If it is determined that you do not meet the minimum SAP requirements, you will be automatically placed on financial aid suspension. Students on financial aid suspension are not allowed to receive any additional financial aid until the progress suspension is cleared.

  • If I lose my financial aid, how do I get it back?

    Students whose eligibility for financial aid has been terminated may appeal the decision if they believe that they had extenuating circumstances leading to their unsatisfactory progress. Circumstances which warrant an appeal include: death in family, injury/illness of the student or family, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. In order to appeal, the student must complete the SAP Recovery Packet, which must include a formal written statement signed and dated by the student. The statement needs to provide a full explanation, along with detailed documentation, verifying the circumstances that led to the inability to meet SAP. This explanation must also provide steps taken to overcome these obstacles and how they will not interfere with progression.

    The completed packet must be returned to the Office of Financial Assistance and will be submitted to the SAP Review Board. The SAP Review Board will make a determination based on the information provided and will inform the student in writing within approximately three weeks of the decision.  The SAP Appeal Form and SAP Academic Plan are due to the UIW Office of Financial Assistance by August 1st.

  • I've been placed on SAP probation, now what?

    If a SAP appeal is approved, the student will be placed on probation for the following semester and their academic progress will be monitored to ensure they meet the conditions of their academic plan. Once the Office of Financial Assistance determines that SAP was met for the probationary time period, then the student will be in good standing and will no longer be monitored each semester.

  • What happens if my SAP appeal is denied?

    If a SAP appeal is denied, the student is no longer eligible to receive federal, state or institutional financial aid until they are able to meet SAP guidelines. A denial from the SAP committee is final; there is no appeal process for this judgment. Students who submit appeals after the allowable time frame will not be considered. Please contact the Office of Financial Assistance with any questions by email at finaid@uiwtx.edu.

  • What is the SAP timeline/deadlines?
    May
    • Spring grades post; official SAP process beings
    June
    • Students notified of SAP status and given instructions for process (email and mail)
    • Academic advising notified of students that have not completed SAP process that are enrolled for Fall term
    • Continued outreach from OFA and advising concerning SAP  by email for all students and by mail and phone for enrolled students
    August
    • SAP Recovery Packet (PDF) due to OFA by August 1st
    • Listing provided of SAP students that are enrolled without payment arrangements for administrative withdrawal
    • Faculty and advisors are provided information on SAP policy and process, consequences of dropping or withdrawing, and financial aid aggregate limits
    • Reminders sent to students on probation concerning SAP agreement; list sent to advising
     Fall Census
    • All enrolled students notified at census of SAP policy and reminded of support services
     Fall
    • Drops and WD for main campus will visit with OFA for counseling on SAP
    December
    •  Fall grades post; alerts sent to students demonstrating potential SAP issues; SAP probation students reviewed
    • Students not meeting probation standards are terminated and notified of ability for additional appeal (if applicable)
    January
    • Listing provided of SAP students that are enrolled without payment arrangements for administrative withdrawal
    • Faculty and advisors are provided information on SAP policy and process, consequences of dropping or withdrawing, and financial aid aggregate limits
    • Reminders sent to students on probation concerning SAP agreement; list sent to advising
    Spring Census
     
    • All enrolled students notified at census of SAP policy and reminded of support services
    Spring
    • Drops and WD for main campus will visit with OFA for counseling on SAP
     May
    • Spring grades post; official SAP process beings
  • What resources are available to me to help to stay/get back on track?
    Take advantage of the different resources that are available on campus for you.
    Most students overlook the vast network of readily available resources colleges have and go through the semester on the bare minimum – attending classes alone. Make it a rule to frequent the campus libraries, tutoring and writing centers, computer labs and career centers for free, valuable information.

    Talk to your academic advisor and faculty mentor.
    Make it a habit to meet with your advisor early and seek their opinion on which classes to take each semester and how to meet your academic goals. Your advisor can guide you to campus resources, inform you of important deadlines, familiarize you with college policies and procedures, and keep you posted on campus events and organizations that could benefit you.

     

    Get to know your instructors.
    Your instructors are one of your greatest resource. Talk to them and ask for help. Your instructors have office hours for the sole purpose of assisting students outside of the classroom. They can give you great insight and tend to help those who come and seek out for help.

    • Introduce yourself early in the semester.
    • Ask questions!
    • Go to office hours or send an email.

     

    Utilize DegreeWorks.
    DegreeWorks is available for students to monitor their academic progress toward degree completion. DegreeWorks allows students and their advisors to plan future coursework and run degree audits, easily identifying courses that have been completed and what courses are still needed in order to fulfill degree requirements
    DegreeWorks FAQ

     

    Attend classes regularly and do not arrive late.
    It sounds easy enough. The classroom is where you will get most of the information you need for tests and quizzes. Instructors pay attention to the level of involvement students demonstrate throughout the semester. These will be the same teachers you will turn to for letters of recommendation. Keep a good relationship with your instructors and maintain good attendance.

    • Correspond class times with your friends and hold each other accountable.
    • If transportation is an issue, learn bus schedules or talk to friends about carpooling.

    Budget your money.
    The financial aid office is a great resource not only for understanding your financial aid package, but also for financial literacy resources. While the idea of money management may seem difficult, it’s really not! Just like anything else, you just need to learn how to do it. Managing your money correctly will allow you to focus your efforts on your academics.

    • Office of Financial Assistance
    • Sign up for iGrad - What is iGrad?

       UIW believes that all of our students, families and alumni should have access to the most information possible to help them make wise decisions about financing and repaying their education. So, we've partnered with iGrad to provide financial wellness resources to students, alumni, and families.

       No two students are exactly alike, so when you sign up for iGrad, you'll build a personalized profile and plan to improve your money management, career, and student loan skills. We'll provide recommended video tips, quick financial lessons, personalized job search and more.

     

    Manage your time.
    Starting college, working, and keeping up with your social life can seem overwhelming at first. Remember why you're here-- to get an education. Make anything that will help you with this goal a priority.

    Purchasing textbooks.
    It can be difficult to study for a class or participate without the required textbook. There are options for purchasing textbooks to ensure that you are getting the most bang for your buck!
    Be sure to look at the difference between purchasing and renting textbooks!