Requirements for Maintaining Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FA SAP)
FA SAP is reviewed at the end of each semester after grades are submitted. Students who do not meet FA SAP are sent an email to their MSP email address. All enrollment is included in FA SAP calculations, whether or not a student received aid in a given semester.
Student FA SAP is evaluated by reviewing qualitative and quantitative measures. To remain eligible for financial aid a student must:
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) 鈥� Qualitative Measure. All letter grades/marks are considered in evaluating FA SAP, including repeated courses.
- Complete at least 67% of attempted credits 鈥� Quantitative Measure. Students must maintain a 67% pace of progression. Pace of progression is calculated by dividing the total number of successfully completed credit hours by the total number of all attempted credit hours. Note: all grades and marks outlined in the Academic Catalog are included in FA SAP.
- Complete degree or certificate program within the maximum 150% timeframe – Students may be eligible to receive financial aid for up to 150% of the required credit hours to complete their program. Maximum timeframe is calculated by multiplying the total number of credits required to complete a program by the maximum timeframe percentage of 150%. Maximum timeframe calculation examples:
- MA degree 60 credit hours: 60 * 150% = 90 credit hours eligible for financial aid funding
- PsyD degree 138 credit hours: 138 * 150% = 207 credit hours eligible for financial aid funding
Financial aid is automatically suspended if it is determined, using FA SAP measures, that a student cannot mathematically finish the degree and comply with the standards of FA SAP maximum timeframe to complete.
Note: The number of transfer credits accepted to a student鈥檚 program will be counted as credits attempted in both the quantitative measure (percentage completion rate) and the 150% rule.
Course Repetition and Evaluation of grades:
In accordance with MSP鈥檚 academic policy, when a student receives a deficient grade (C, F, or NC) or a mark of 鈥淲鈥�, the student may repeat that course once. The most recent grade earned in a course will be included in the student鈥檚 cumulative GPA. All credit hours including repeated courses, withdrawn classes, and deficient grades (C, F, or NC) will count towards a student鈥檚 pace of progression and maximum time frame.
A mark of 鈥淚鈥� (Incomplete) is awarded by faculty only due to extenuating circumstances and is considered still active until the final grade is posted. An Incomplete must be completed by the end of the following semester. A grade of 鈥淚鈥� lapses to an 鈥淔鈥� if the coursework is not completed in the following semester. FA SAP status is determined in the next regular cycle of FA SAP (when grades are submitted at the end of a semester). The MSP Registrar notifies the Financial Aid Office of any grade changes, and FA SAP is run on demand in these instances. If the FA SAP status changes for the student as a result of the grade change, students are notified by the Financial Aid Office.
Audited courses do not affect GPA and are not counted in credits attempted or completed. Audited courses are not eligible for financial aid and they will not be included in enrollment for consideration of aid.
FA SAP Status Definitions
Good Standing
Students who meet all of the standards of FA SAP are determined to be in Good Standing.
Financial Aid Warning
A financial aid warning alerts the student of their failure to meet the qualitative and/or quantitative standards of FA SAP for the semester. A financial aid warning does not require the student to complete the appeal process; however, if a student believes an error to have been calculated contact the Director of Financial Aid.
Suspension of Eligibility for Financial Aid
Students who have not met one or more of the standards of FA SAP while on Warning or Probation are placed on Suspension and become ineligible for financial aid. Students who reach maximum timeframe are automatically suspended. Students may complete the appeal process to regain financial aid eligibility.
Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval. Circumstances for which a student may appeal include the death of a relative, injury, illness, or other extenuating circumstances. To appeal, see the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form.
Financial Aid Probation
Students with an approved Suspension appeal are placed on Financial Aid Probation. Students must meet all FA SAP conditions as determined by the FA SAP Appeal Committee which may include a review of their Educational Development Plan if applicable.
Return to Good Standing/Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility
Students may self-pay until such time as SAP requirements are met. Students are automatically returned to Good Standing for the next semester of enrollment after they meet all FA SAP measures; that is, a minimum聽GPA聽of 3.0 and a successful credit hour completion rate of 67% or more.
