Satisfactory Academic Progress
Satisfactory academic progress is a process that Adelphi University uses to determine if a student is meeting their requirements while working toward a degree or certificate.
Adelphi University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to apply reasonable standards for measuring whether a student is making progress toward a degree as a standard for participating in any federal student aid program.
The State of New York also requires students to meet satisfactory academic progress to receive any state-funded student assistance. Student financial aid programs were created and funded to help students achieve access to higher education and accomplish academic goals. To receive funds administered by One-Stop Student Services Center, students must complete a degree plan and be making measurable progress toward completion of an eligible degree or certification. Federal regulations require evaluation of both quantitative and qualitative progress.
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
SAP is a set of standards that measure your academic progress toward completing your degree. These standards include:
- Completion Rate: Successfully completing enough courses in each academic year
- GPA Requirements: Maintaining a certain Grade Point Average (GPA):
- Undergraduate students require a 2.0 GPA per semester and cumulative
- Graduate students require a 3.0 GPA per semester and cumulative
Federal and state financial aid programs require students to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards to remain eligible for funding. Falling behind on SAP can jeopardize your financial aid, but there are steps you can take to regain eligibility.
When is SAP Reviewed?
Your academic progress is evaluated at the end of every spring semester. If you meet the GPA and credit completion requirements, you will remain eligible for financial aid.
What Happens If You Don’t Meet SAP?
If you fail to meet SAP standards, you may lose eligibility for federal and institutional financial aid. However, you have options to appeal this decision if you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances, such as:
- Medical issues (for you or a close family member)
- Death in the family
- Other significant personal challenges
How to Appeal
You can submit a Plan of Study Contract/SAP Waiver through the Office of Academic Services and Retention. If your appeal is approved, you’ll be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one semester. During this time, you’ll work with an advisor to create an Academic Plan to improve your progress and regain eligibility.
Academic Plan for Probation
If you’re placed on probation, an advisor from the Office of Academic Services and Retention will help you develop a plan to get back on track. By following this plan and demonstrating improvement, you can continue receiving financial aid without needing an additional waiver.
Frequently Asked Questions About SAP
Yes, you can regain aid if you meet SAP standards again by improving your grades or credits, or by successfully following an Academic Plan.
You can appeal if you’ve had a major issue like a death in the family, a serious illness, or another significant event that affected your academic performance.
If changing your major causes you to need more time to finish your degree, you can request added time to complete your studies while keeping your aid.
Yes, you can receive financial aid for repeating a course that you didn’t pass. However, if you’ve already passed a course, you can only get aid to retake it once.
Incomplete grades count as credits attempted but not completed. If you finish the work and your grade changes, notify the One-Stop Student Services Center to have your financial aid eligibility evaluated.