Federal School Code : 002314
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)
For Scholarships and Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be maintained while receiving federal, state and institutional financial aid at Saginaw Valley State University. There are three measurements for Satisfactory Academic Progress: SVSU cumulative grade point average (GPA), percentage of attempted courses completed, and maximum credit hours needed in which to complete a degree. Students must meet all three measurements. Students are reviewed at the end of the winter semester. Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will result in cancellation of eligibility to receive funds from federal, state, or university programs.
- Policy
- Probation
- Financial Aid Cancellation
- Repeat Courses
- Non-Credit Courses and Non-Degree Courses
- Incomplete Courses
- Appeal Process
- Reinstatement of Scholarship and Financial Aid Eligibility
- Contact Information
Policy
Undergraduate students requirements:
- Maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
- Complete and pass 75% of credits attempted (after refund period) from Spring through Winter semesters.
- Program completion must be by 186 credit hours.
Graduate students requirements:
- *Maintain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average.
- Complete and pass 75% of credits attempted from Spring through Winter semesters.
- Program completion must be by 54 credit hours.
* Graduate students must maintain a 2.00 GPA or meet the academic standards required by departments, whichever is higher.
Probation
Students who do not meet the above requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress, are placed on financial aid probation for one academic year. The student can receive federal, state and institutional financial aid during probation.
The program completion requirements are mandatory and have no probationary period. Program completion for undergraduate students is 186 completed credit hours; program completion for graduate students is 54 completed credit hours.
Financial Aid Cancellation
A student will not be eligible for financial aid if any of the following has occurred:
- If the student does not meet the SAP requirements following one year of probation.
- If a student has met the maximum number of credit hours to complete a program.
Repeat Courses
Courses repeated will count toward the determination of full-time or part-time enrollment status. Repeat courses will not, however, add to a student’s cumulative credit hours earned unless the student did not pass the course(s) in earlier efforts. If a student earned credit hours prior to the repeat, the hours can be counted a second time for SAP purposes only. The new GPA may have an effect on a student’s eligibility.
Non-Credit Courses and Non-Degree Courses
Students enrolled in non-credit courses or non-degree courses in which the full tuition rate is charged, may use the credit hours for determination of full-time or part-time enrollment status. Non-credit courses numbered below 100 level of the basic skills requirements (ENGL 080, ENGL 082, MATH 081, MATH082) can be used to meet the credit hour requirement of this policy. Non-degree courses cannot be used to meet the credit hour requirement.
Incomplete Courses
Incomplete courses do not count toward satisfying the credit hours completed requirement. Incomplete courses do not influence the GPA in the semester in which they are taken. They are, however, counted once they are completed.
Appeal Process
Students may appeal the decision to cancel financial aid based on the following circumstances:
1. The student became very ill or severely injured.
2. A death of a relative.
3. Other special circumstances.Students must submit a financial aid reinstatement form and supportive documentation. A reinstatement form is available from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Applications for reinstatement must be received in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid by the deadline of the Late Registration and Add/Drop period for the semester in which the appeal or reinstatement is requested. Refer to the Course Schedule book for a specific semester date. Applications received after the deadline date will be processed for the following semester. Decisions are made within 10 business days after receipt. Students will be notified in writing.
Reinstatement of Scholarship and Financial Aid Eligibility
A student who loses federal, state and institutional financial aid may regain eligibility when satisfactory academic progress standards are met. This means that the SVSU GPA must be at the appropriate level and the required number of credit hours must be completed at the student expense. To satisfy the credit hour requirement, a student can attend another institution and transfer credits back to SVSU. Contact an SVSU academic advisor if you plan to attend another institution and transfer credits back to SVSU. After the required number of credit hours has been completed, the student can apply for a reinstatement of financial aid. The student must complete Financial Aid Reinstatement Form available from the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. Retroactive payments will not be made for semesters in which a student was not eligible for financial aid.
Students who have questions concerning the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy are advised to see a Financial Aid Advisor.
Contact Information
Saginaw Valley State University
Office of Scholarships and Financial AidTelephone: (989) 964-4103
E-mail: financial-aid(at)svsu.edu
141 Wickes Hall
7400 Bay Rd.
University Center, MI 48710