Satisfactory Academic Progress

Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress (For Graduate S.A.P. see bottom of page)

In order to retain eligibility for federal, state, and most institutional financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory progress (referring to the completion rate and GPA) in their academic program. The definition of satisfactory progress was formulated to meet the minimum standards mandated by both the Federal Government and the State of New Jersey.

Financial Aid Probation

Students who are placed on Academic Probation (see “Academic Standing” ) will also be placed on Financial Aid Probation. Students will be informed in writing that their eligibility for federal, state, and most institutional aid is in jeopardy. This probationary status will remain in effect until either the student meets the requirements for good academic standing or the student’s cumulative GPA or percentage of credits completed places the student into Financial Aid Suspension (see below).

Financial Aid Suspension

Students will be ineligible for federal, state, and most institutional aid when their academic progress fails to meet either the Attempted Credits and GPA Assessment or the Attempted Credits and Completion Rate Assessment.

Attempted Credits and GPA Assessment

Attempted Credits and Completion Rate Assessment

The completion rate is calculated as the number of passed credits (remedial and college-level credits for which a student earned a passing grade) divided by the number of attempted credits (the total of earned credits, remedial credits, and credits for which a student has received a grade of WD, F, FA, IC, IT, or IP). Courses dropped during the published 100% refund period and audited courses are not treated as attempted or earned credits. For courses that have been repeated, attempted and earned credits for all occurrences are included. For transferred courses, credits accepted will be included in attempted credits only for the purpose of determining placement in the chart above.

Regardless of cumulative GPA and completion rate attained at any time, students will be ineligible for federal, state, and most institutional financial aid when their total credits attempted exceed 150% of the credits required for their program.

Progress will be monitored at the end of the spring term by the appropriate academic dean. Students not meeting satisfactory academic progress may regain their satisfactory status during subsequent academic terms without the benefit of student financial aid. Prior to reinstatement of financial aid, the academic dean will determine if the completion rate and GPA are sufficient to consider the student as once again making satisfactory progress. Students who have been judged not to be making satisfactory progress may appeal that judgment to the Director of Financial Aid and the dean. Appeals may be granted due to serious illness, severe injury, or the death of a relative and must be submitted in writing no later than one month after notification of the deficiency. Appeals may be granted one time under these circumstances only if it is possible for a student to mathematically meet the qualitative and quantitative program requirements within 150% of the published length of the program.
A degree audit is performed for any student who changes programs or pursues an additional major. If a student has exceeded the maximum time frame based on total attempted credits, including transfer credits, additional time to attempt the remaining credits required for completion may be granted if courses already taken are not applicable to the new programs or if additional courses are needed to earn an additional major.

Graduate Satisfactory Academic Progress and Continuing Enrollment

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain in good standing for financial aid and academic purposes. In order to maintain SAP, a student must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0, and must successfully complete 66% of all coursework attempted. The University will evaluate SAP annually at the conclusion of each spring term for all students who have attempted more than 12 credits. Students who do not maintain SAP will be unable to receive financial aid and are subject to probation or dismissal. Failing a course or a GPA below 3.0 may lead to an academic probation, suspension, or dismissal from a program. If a student does not improve his or her academic performance, the University may suspend the student from classes for a period of time. If a student comes off suspension and still does not improve performance, the University may dismiss the student. Dismissal is final and precludes any possibility of readmission.