Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To maintain eligibility for federal student assistance, students must maintain progress in their academic programs. Progress has both qualitative and quantitative aspects: that is, the student must be attaining acceptable grades over a limited time period in order to complete his or her academic objective. The school is responsible for establishing the specific requirements for satisfactory academic performance, tracking their students’ progress, and enforcing the consequences of unsatisfactory progress.

Related topics in this Index: Student Eligibility; Administrative Capability

Synonyms: SAP

Statutory Authority
- U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter IV—Student Assistance > Part F—General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs § 1091(c) Student eligibility [HEA § 484(c)]
- U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter IV—Student Assistance > Part H—Program Integrity, Subpart 3—Eligibility and Certification Procedures § 1099c Eligibility and certification procedures [HEA § 498]
Regulations
ED References
See also Subtopics for more specific references.
NASFAA Publications and Articles
- NASFAA AskRegs Knowledgebase
  Search or browse the Knowledgebase for answers to regulatory and compliance questions submitted by financial aid administrators.
- NASFAA Compliance Engine
  The Compliance Engine is comprised of two modules: the Self-Evaluation Checklists which allows administrators to evaluate their programs in a centralized, shared online space, and the P&P Builder, a tool designed to assist institutions in the creation and maintenance of a policies and procedures manual. Along with an online space to update and maintain policies and procedures, the P&P Builder includes legislation and regulation associated with compliance with Title IV requirements.
- NASFAA Monograph #25, Satisfactory Academic Progress
Subtopics
- Academic amnesty
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Academic plan
- Administrative capability requirement and basic policy elements
  - 668.16(e)
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 2, Ch. 3
- Allowable actions based on frequency of evaluation
  See also Timing of evaluations
  - End of each payment period
    
    668.34(c)
  - Less frequently than each payment period
    
    668.34(d)
- Appeals
- Change of major
  - Program Integrity Q&A, Satisfactory Academic Progress, SAP-Q5/SAP-A5
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Completion of program requirements before receipt of credential
  See top list entry for Student Eligibility
- Consistent application within categories of students
  - 668.34(a)(2)
- Consumer information
  - 668.42(c)(2)
- English as a Second Language (ESL) courses
  - Program Integrity Q&A, Satisfactory Academic Progress, SAP-Q4/SAP-A4
- Financial aid probation
- Financial aid warning
- Inclusion of all periods of attendance in SAP assessments
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Incompletes
  - 668.34(a)(6)
  - Electronic Announcement, 5/15/20
    UPDATED Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  - Electronic Announcement, 4/3/20
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Ineligibility due to failure to maintain satisfactory progress
  - 668.34(a)(7)
- Intellectual disabilities, transition programs
  - 668.232(b)
- Late notification of grade / grade change / recheck of SAP
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Maximum timeframe
  - General information
    
    668.34(b)
    
    Federal Register, 10/29/10, p. 66886
    
    Electronic Announcement, 5/15/20
    UPDATED Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Mathematically impossible to complete program within 150% of program length
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Notification to students of SAP evaluation results
  - 668.34(a)(11)
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Pace
  - 668.34(a)(5)
  - Electronic Announcement, 5/15/20
    UPDATED Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  - Electronic Announcement, 4/3/20
  - Program Integrity Q&A, Satisfactory Academic Progress, SAP-Q7/SAP-A7
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Qualitative measure (GPA or comparable measure)
  - General rules
    
    668.34(a)(4)
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
  - Grades for credits based on proficiency tests
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Reestablishing eligibility
- Relationship between standards for Title IV recipients and institutional policy for non-Title IV recipients
  - 668.34(a)(1)
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Remedial courses
- Repetition of courses
- Required elements of SAP review
  - Electronic Announcement, 5/15/20
    UPDATED Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  - Electronic Announcement, 4/3/20
  - Program Integrity Q&A, Satisfactory Academic Progress,R-Q1/R-A1
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Summer term
  - Federal Register, 10/29/10, p. 66882
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Timing of evaluations
  See also Allowable actions based on frequency of evaluation
  - Clock hour programs
    
    Program Integrity Q&A, Satisfactory Academic Progress,R-Q7/R-A7 and R-Q9/R-A9
  - Nonterm and nonstandard term programs
    
    Federal Register, 10/29/10, p. 66882
  - Programs equal to or less than one year in length
    
    668.34(a)(3)(i)
  - Programs longer than one year in length
    
    668.34(a)(3)(ii)
    
    Program Integrity Q&A, Satisfactory Academic Progress,R-Q8,R-A8
    
    2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1
- Transfer credits
- Withdrawal from a course
  - 668.34(a)(6)
  - Electronic Announcement, 5/15/20
    UPDATED Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  - Electronic Announcement, 4/3/20
  - 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. 1, Ch. 1

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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Statutory Authority

Regulations

ED References

NASFAA Publications and Articles

Subtopics

Academic amnesty

Academic plan

Administrative capability requirement and basic policy elements

Allowable actions based on frequency of evaluation

End of each payment period

Less frequently than each payment period

Appeals

Change of major

Completion of program requirements before receipt of credential

Consistent application within categories of students

Consumer information

English as a Second Language (ESL) courses

Financial aid probation

Financial aid warning

Inclusion of all periods of attendance in SAP assessments

Incompletes

Ineligibility due to failure to maintain satisfactory progress

Intellectual disabilities, transition programs

Late notification of grade / grade change / recheck of SAP

Maximum timeframe

General information

Mathematically impossible to complete program within 150% of program length

Notification to students of SAP evaluation results

Pace

Qualitative measure (GPA or comparable measure)

General rules

Grades for credits based on proficiency tests

Reestablishing eligibility

Relationship between standards for Title IV recipients and institutional policy for non-Title IV recipients

Remedial courses

Repetition of courses

Required elements of SAP review

Summer term

Timing of evaluations

Clock hour programs

Nonterm and nonstandard term programs

Programs equal to or less than one year in length

Programs longer than one year in length

Transfer credits

Withdrawal from a course