1. What is Satisfactory Academic Progress(SAP)?
It is a set of minimum academic standards that must be met to be eligible for federal financial aid.
2. What is the difference between academic probation/suspension and SAP for Financial Aid?
Academic suspension is an academic requirement when a student fails to earn a 2.0 semester GPA after being on academic probation; SAP is a separate requirement that must be met to receive financial aid.
3. If I am academically eligible to enroll, does that mean that I am also eligible to receive my financial aid?
No. You must meet separate eligibility requirements to receive federal aid. They are called SAP requirements.
4. Does SAP Apply to new freshmen?
Yes. Aid for new freshmen is determined for the first year based on the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Processor and by financial aid documents submitted. The freshmen year cumulative GPA and cumulative hours earned will be used to determine financial aid eligibility for the second year.
5. If I am a transfer student, does SAP apply to me? If so, what SAP guidelines must I meet?
Yes. To receive aid as a transfer student, one must meet the Grambling State University (GSU) SAP requirements just as though one had been enrolled at GSU. (Please see financial aid SAP chart here). You may wish to discuss your circumstances with a GSU financial aid counselor.
6. If I did not meet SAP requirements or the one-time GPA option (2.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA, 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA), can I appeal to have my financial aid reinstated?
Yes. You must have serious reasons (e.g. prolonged illness under a doctor’s care; illness or accident requiring hospitalization or prolonged absence from class; death of an immediate familymember, or prolonged illness of a dependent) that contributed toyour lack of performance for the majority of the enrollment period. You must be able to document the reasons and causes.
7. What can I do if my appeal is denied or I do not supply needed documentation to support my appeal?
You can attend GSU (or another regionally accredited college) by paying your own way provided you have not been suspended for poor academic performance. See Criteria for Reinstatement.
8. If I am on SAP and I sit out one semester or one year, will my SAP requirements be met?
No. Sitting out one semester or one year will not satisfy SAP requirements. If you did not meet SAP requirements, you may appeal or pay your own way for at least 6 hours and pass with C grades or better and, then, appeal on the basis of those grades.
9. If I am granted Academic Bankruptcy/Amnesty, how will that affect my SAP status?
The SAP status will be evaluated to include all the hours on your transcript before approval of the academic bankruptcy. Per federal guidelines, all hours attempted must be counted in determining eligibility for federal aid.
10. How can I remain eligible for financial aid throughout my college career at GSU? (Please see financial aid SAP chart for complete details or talk to a financial aid staff.)
Eligibility is based on hours attempted to determine your classifications (i.e. all courses including grades of "W", “I’, as well as repeats are counted in attempted hours for financial aid purposes).
*NOTE: Students who “max out” on hours attempted will lose financial aid. When a student has attempted 150% of the hours required for the degree, the student is declared ineligible and, therefore, has "maxed-out." (e.g. 150% of 125 hours = 188 hours.) Students who have "maxed-out" because they changed majors or were pursuing double majors may consult a financial aid staff about a possible appeal.
Determination of students’ hours required to complete a degree program will be based on the hours printed in the University Catalog. The revised program length of 125 hours will be used for students admitted beginning with Fall 1999. Students enrolled prior to Fall 1999 will be evaluated using the old program length for the various degrees.
