Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a student eligibility criterion.  In order to receive Federal Title IV and Catholic University funds, students must be moving towards a definite educational goal at a reasonable rate according to the policy of the Office of Financial Aid. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress is calculated at CUA by assessing how many credits a student has attempted, how many credits a student has successfully completed, how many semesters the student has completed, and the student's current Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

(Please refer to http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/gradesfull.cfm for university academic policies regarding undergraduate grades, standing, and progress.)

Full-Time Requirements

1. Complete an average of 12 credits per semester using formula below:  Number of Credits Hours Completed / Number of Semesters  

2. Have a C.G.P.A. of at least 1.50 in your first three semesters.

3. Have a C.G.P.A. of at least 2.00 after completing 4 semesters.

4. Have a course completion ratio greater then 80% after the end of your  fourth semester  using the formula below:  # Credit Hours Completed /# Credit Hours Attempted  

Additional Full-Time Requirements & Important Information

• There is no CUA grant or scholarship assistance available beyond 8 semesters. 

• Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn.

• The individual must be making satisfactory progress toward his or her degree, which means that the number of courses attempted may not exceed the Federal limitation of 150% of the number of credits required to complete a degree. However, most students will have exhausted their Federal Family Loan eligibility after 5 years. Care should be taken by students to plan their program of study so that they will finish prior to funding becoming unavailable.

• Part-time students must be aware that if they plan to complete their degree over a protracted period of years, they will exhaust Federal Stafford Loan eligibility prior to the completion of their degree if they borrow the maximum amount each year. No CUA grant assistance will be available for part-time students. 

Semester by Semester Break-down

(Full-Time)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is calculated at CUA by assessing how many credits a student has attempted, how many credits a student has successfully completed, how many semesters the student has completed, and the student's cumulative GPA. The following are the parameters used for full time students:

If a student has completed 1 semester at CUA, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits with a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.5.

If a student has completed 2 semesters at CUA, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total of 24 credits) with a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.5.

If a student has completed 3 semesters at CUA, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total of 36 credits) with a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.5.

If a student has completed 4 semesters at CUA, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total of 48 credits) with a grade point average of at least 2.0; and must have successfully completed at least 80% of all attempted coursework. Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn (W) after the add/drop period but before academic penalty is incurred.

If a student has completed 5 semesters at the Institution, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total 60 credits) with a grade point average of at least 2.0; and must have successfully completed at least 80% of all attempted coursework. Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn (W) after the add/drop period but before academic penalty is incurred.

If a student has completed 6 semesters at the Institution, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total 72 credits) with a grade point average of at least 2.0; and must have successfully completed at least 80% of all attempted coursework. Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn  (W) after the add/drop period but before academic penalty is incurred.

If a student has completed 7 semesters at the Institution, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total 84 credits) with a grade point average of at least 2.0; and must have successfully completed at least 80% of all attempted coursework. Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn (W) after the add/drop period but before academic penalty is incurred.

If a student has completed 8 semesters at the Institution and cannot yet graduate, in order to receive Federal aid in the fifth year, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total 96 credits) with a grade point average of at least 2.0; and must have successfully completed at least 80% of all attempted coursework. Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn (W) after the add/drop period but before academic penalty is incurred. There is no CUA grant or scholarship assistance available beyond 8 semesters.  If satisfactory progress has been made, Federal funds will be packaged.

If a student has completed 9 semesters at the Institution, he or she must have successfully completed a minimum of 12 credits each semester (total 108 credits) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and must have successfully completed at least 80% of all attempted coursework in order to continue to receive Federal funds. Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn (W) after the add/drop period but before academic penalty has been incurred. There is no CUA grant or scholarship assistance beyond 8 semesters.  There would be one semester of Federal eligibility remaining at this time.

If a student has completed 10 semesters at the Institution and cannot yet graduate, he or she is considered to be making insufficient academic progress and is ineligible for aid.

If a student has not graduated after 5 years due to pursuit of a dual degree or a change in major, CUA may be able to make some Federal money available to students who meet eligibility requirements.  The individual must be making satisfactory progress toward his or her degree, which means that the number of courses attempted may not exceed the Federal limitation of 150% of the number of credits required to complete a degree. However, most students will have exhausted their Federal Family Loan eligibility after 5 years. Care should be taken by students to plan their program of study so that they will finish prior to funding becoming unavailable.

Part-Time Requirements

1. Have a C.G.P.A. of at least 1.50 in your first three semester's

2. Have a C.G.P.A. of at least 2.00 at the end of your fourth semester.

3. Have a course completion ratio of at least 80%, using the formula below:  # Credit Hours Completed / # Credit Hours Attempted

Additional Part-Time Requirements & Important Information  

• Attempted coursework includes both failing grades and any course from which a student has withdrawn after the add/drop period.

• The individual must be making satisfactory progress toward his or her degree, which means that the number of courses attempted may not exceed the Federal limitation of 150% of the number of credits required to complete a degree. However, most students will have exhausted their Federal Family Loan eligibility after 5 years. Care should be taken by students to plan their program of study so that they will finish prior to funding becoming unavailable.

• Part time students must be aware that if they plan to complete their degree over a protracted period of years, they will exhaust Federal Stafford Loan eligibility prior to the completion of their degree if they borrow the maximum amount each year. No CUA grant assistance will be available for part time students or students who are pursuing a second degree.

Restoring Financial Aid Eligibility 

If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress after grades for the fall semester are calculated, a probationary semester may be offered under certain circumstances.  When an assessment by the Director of Financial of Aid indicates that there is a reasonable expectation that the student will be able to meet satisfactory progress requirements within a reasonable timeframe, the Director may offer probation.  Anyone who fails the academic progress evaluation after the spring semester will be expected to complete any required additional course work during the summer.  Any student who does not correct a deficiency in the summer semester will be terminated from all financial aid programs, unless the Director determines there are sufficient extenuating circumstances to grant an exception.

A student who does not regain eligibility in a probationary period must complete the required course work on his or her own before receiving Federal aid or University funds.  A student who remains ineligible after probation may appeal his or her case to the Director of Financial Aid.  The student must present his or her extenuating circumstances and provide any documentation that may be requested by the Director.  The following may be grounds for appeal:

- a student has a death in the family during the semester that affects his or her performance in school or is the cause of his or her withdrawal from the University.  Documentation:  advocacy in writing from the Dean of Students.

- a student has an illness or accident that impacts his or her attendance at class for an extended period of time.   Documentation: advocacy by the Academic Dean or the Dean of Students and a doctor's certificate stating the nature, duration, and impact of the illness;  or other proofs requested by the Director of Financial Aid.

- a student is forced to withdraw from the University after the add/drop period due to a family emergency thereby not completing his or her coursework.  Documentation:  advocacy by the Dean of Students or other proof requested by the Director of Financial Aid.

Circumstances other than the above (i.e. marked improvement in the probationary semester) that may warrant an a one-semester extension of probation may be reviewed by the Director of Financial Aid and according to Department of Education policy regarding professional judgment, the Director may exercise professional judgment if, in his or her opinion, that step is warranted. In no case may the Financial Aid Office circumvent Federal Regulations based merely on a request from faculty, administrators, a parent or student.

If a student fails to meet  satisfactory program requirements after the spring semester and must attend summer school, the student is responsible for contacting the Financial Aid office to request a review of on new CUA summer grades.  If the student does not attend summer school at CUA, he or she is responsible for notifying the Financial Aid Office in writing when his or her school has accepted externally earned credits.  Financial aid will be awarded on a funds available basis with no guarantee that a students previous package will be replicated.

When a previously ineligible student regains eligibility after summer course work, any financial aid package that is formulated will be based on funds available at that time.  There is no guarantee that all aid from the previous year will be restored, even if the student has unmet need.

Retaking failed courses will result in a recalculated GPA, however, the original failed course will still be counted as an unsuccessfully completed course.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  A student who is academically dismissed does not regain financial aid eligibility if he or she is readmitted on appeal.