Satisfactory Academic Progress

In accordance with federal regulations, all financial aid recipients are required to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards their degree and be in good academic standing, to remain eligible to receive federal and state financial aid each year. For financial aid purposes, good academic standing is defined as cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00 or above at the end of the spring term when SAP is evaluated. The full definition of good academic standing is available in the “Academic Policies” section of the graduate catalog.

There are 2 main components of SAP (see below for details):

GPA
Percentage of successfully completed credits vs attempted credits (called Pace)

SAP Component 1:

Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0.

SAP Component 2:

At all times throughout the students’ enrollment, federal regulations require schools to ensure that students are successfully completing 67% of the credits they are attempting to stay on track for graduating on time. This is called "pace".

To determine if you are meeting “pace”, divide the total number of credits you have successfully earned by the total number of credits you have attempted. Successful completion is defined as the receipt of a passing letter grade (A to C-) and does not include the receipt of an F (Failure), INC (Incomplete), DNA (Did Not Attend), W (Withdrawal), or U (Unsatisfactory). The only exception is if a student receives an INC+ in their Thesis, Research Project, Practicum, or Internship. The university allows 1 year for completion of those courses.

Additional Component:

The maximum timeframe a student has to complete the requirements for their master's degree or graduate certificate is within five years of the date of completion of the first course following formal application to the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will SAP be checked?

At the end of each spring term the Financial Aid Office will check your academic transcript to make sure you have achieved the required cumulative grade point average (CGPA), and have earned the required number of credits to maintain the appropriate pace.

What happens if I don't meet the SAP requirements?

If you do not meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements, you will not be eligible to receive federal or state financial aid for the next school year. Federal financial aid includes, but not limited to, federal Direct Unsubsidized student loans, federal Direct graduate PLUS loans, and federal work study.

How will I be notified if I don't meet the SAP requirements?

The Financial Aid Office will mail a letter to each student who fails to maintain the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements. The letter will detail the deficiencies and the steps for reinstating your financial aid eligibility.

Can I appeal to have my financial aid reinstated?

A student who is able to make good satisfactory academic progress after their next subsequent semester can appeal their academic ineligibility in order to be granted financial aid despite academic deficiencies. The student must write a detailed letter to the Financial Aid Office explaining the extenuating circumstances (death, divorce, illness, etc) that hindered them from making satisfactory progress. It is suggested that the letter come complete with documentation of the extenuating circumstances (death certificates, doctor’s note, etc.), an explanation of why they failed to meet the SAP requirements, and what has changed that will allow the student to make satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation period. If the student provides documentation falling under TITLE IX of the Higher Education Act of 1972 we may be required to disclose it to other university officials.

A financial aid appeals committee made up of various members of the University community, including academic and administrative personnel, will meet to review the appeal letters. Decisions to reinstate eligibility or to deny an appeal are made in a fair and equitable manner based on the information the student provides in the letter, the supporting documentation, and a review of the academic record.

What happens after I submit my appeal?

A financial aid appeals committee made up of various members of the university community, including academic and administrative personnel, will meet to review the appeal letters. Decisions to reinstate eligibility or deny an appeal are made in a fair and equitable manner based on the information the student provides in the letter, the supporting documentation and a review of the academic record.

What happens if my appeal is approved?

If the financial aid SAP appeals committee approves the SAP appeal, the student will be awarded their federal and/or state financial aid on a probationary period for one semester. At the end of the semester for which the student receives the approved appeal, the student must meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements to be eligible for federal and/or state financial aid for future terms. Additionally, the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements will continue to be reviewed by the Financial Aid Office at the end of each spring term.

What happens if my appeal is denied?

If the financial aid SAP appeals committee upholds the loss of financial aid, the student is not eligible to receive federal and/or state financial aid until they regain their eligibility by meeting the SAP requirements. Students who need options to pay their bill may consider a private student loan, if the private student loan does not require the student to be meeting the SAP requirements of the school. Students may also contact the Bursar’s Office regarding payment options.

Contact Financial Aid

Bergami Hall

financialaid@newhaven.edu (203) 932-7315 Fax: (203) 931-6050

Hours:
Mon - Fri.: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.