Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require the University to establish and apply reasonable standards of satisfactory progress for the purpose of the receipt of financial assistance under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The law requires institutions to develop policies regarding satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Each institution must design criteria, which outline the definition of student progress towards a degree and the consequences to the student if progress is not achieved. UMB students who wish to be considered for financial aid must maintain satisfactory progress in their selected course of study as set forth in this policy.

Institutional Policy
The Financial Aid Office evaluates student academic progress at the beginning of each award year. Students are evaluated on the basis of grade point average (G.P.A.), credit hour completion and maximum time frame limitation.

• Credit Hour Completion
  Students are required to meet a measure of incremental progress.  This means that students must complete more than 50% of attempted credits per semester.
• Maximum Time Frame Limitation
  Students are subject to a quantitative measure of progress. Students must complete requirements for a degree within 150% of standard time frame (for instance, a student enrolled in a 2 year program may take no longer than 3 years to complete it or a student enrolled in a 4 year program may take no longer than 6 years to complte it).
• Institutional Procedures
  Students are notified of the SAP policy in the UMB Graduate and Undergraduate Catalogs.

Probation
A student seeking to reestablish academic good standing to retain eligibility of financial aid will be placed on probation for one semester before being denied aid.  A student may reestablish academic good standing by:

• Achieving the required G.P.A. for the program by the end of probationary semester.
• Completing more than 50% of attempted credits by the end of the probationary semester.

Denial
A student will be denied assistance, with no probational semester, if he/she reaches the maximum time frame for completion of his/her program of study.

If a student has been granted a probational semester, he/she will be denied assistance if, at the end of the probational semester:

• The student's G.P.A. is below the minimum requirements as defined by school or program.
• The student does not complete 50% of his/her credit load per semester.

Any student denied financial aid who can prove special circumstances pertaining to their case may appeal the decision denying aid.  Students who have been denied aid may be reinstated after one year of satisfactory progress and a positive decision from the appeals committee.