Satisfactory Academic Progress

To maintain SAP, a student must:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) – The minimum for undergraduates is 2.0 and for graduate students is 3.0. (Exception: Undergraduate students enrolled in the Stamps School of Art & Design must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.) These cumulative GPA standards are consistent with academic success requirements across the university. The GPA is reviewed annually after winter semester grades are posted. The overall GPA must be equal to or greater than the required academic level minimum of your program at the end of each winter semester.
2. Complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours – This is reviewed at the end of each winter semester and the aggregate percentage of coursework attempted and passed must equal 67% (not rounded) or greater at each review. For example, an undergraduate student who enrolls for 12 credit hours and completes 8.5 credit hours has completed an acceptable percentage of attempted credit hours, 67% or greater.
3. Complete a degree program in a maximum time frame of no more than 150% of the program's average length – Example: The average number of credit hours it should take to complete a Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) undergraduate degree program is 120 credits. Using that average, 150% would equal 180 credit hours which would be the maximum number for which an LSA student could receive financial aid (assuming the above requirements are also met). The 150% standard applies to graduate students based on average program length as defined by a student’s academic unit.

Transfer students: The number of transfer hours accepted upon admission is used to calculate the student’s remaining eligibility under the 150% calculation and will be included in the completion rate calculation which includes number of credits attempted and completed. This applies to students transferring into U-M for the first time and students transferring between schools/colleges (for example, transferring from LSA to Kinesiology) into different academic programs on campus.

Students returning to college for a second undergraduate degree will be given 150% of stated credit hours required for the second degree program. They are eligible to receive only loan funds.

Double majors/minors will be funded with aid based upon a 150% of one major program.

Graduate students on detached study: Detached study semesters will count as the equivalent of eight credit hours attempted and completed when calculating both pace and 150% of program length completion.

At the end of each winter term, our office reviews each student's progress. Students who have not met all three requirements (for all terms enrolled, not just those terms that the student received aid) will be notified in writing that they have lost eligibility for financial aid.

A student may appeal if there are extenuating circumstances. Examples of these include personal or family critical illness (both physical and mental), natural disaster impacting the student or family's home, assault, etc. If an SAP appeal is approved, the student will be placed on SAP financial aid probation. To appeal, students must complete the SAP Appeal Form, which allows a student to explain the situation, document circumstances, and develop an Academic Recovery Plan with an academic advisor. Appeals must be received before the deadlines published on the form. Incomplete appeals or appeals received after the published deadlines will be reviewed for a future term of enrollment.

If you are put on financial aid probation, your academic progress and financial aid eligibility will be reviewed at the end of each semester. You will be asked to sign a term-by-term SAP Probation Agreement that will explain the terms and requirements of your probation.

Students on SAP financial aid probation will be monitored for improvement and adherence to probationary terms including the Academic Recovery Plan. While on probation, an undergraduate student is expected to achieve a semester grade point average of 2.0 or above, not receive an "I" in any coursework, and receive a "P" in each Pass/Fail course. (For graduate-level students, the minimum GPA requirement is 3.0.)

Students on SAP financial aid probation must also follow terms of their Academic Recovery Plan including achieving a higher than 2.0 GPA if required by the plan. They continue to receive aid while on financial aid probation but will be monitored.

A student will be removed from SAP financial aid probation upon successful completion of the Academic Recovery Plan. This is demonstrated by obtaining a GPA consistent with the minimum requirement for their academic level and completing an aggregate percentage of 67% or more of all attempted credit hours.

Academic probation and SAP financial aid probation are different statuses and a student may or may not be on both types of probation at the same time. Any student who is placed on academic probation by their school or college is expected to comply with the requirements of both the college or department and OFA. See note below regarding academic holds.

Students who do not meet the terms of financial aid probation are not eligible for aid in any subsequent semester. A written notification is sent to all students who fail to comply with the terms of their probation.

A student can reestablish eligibility by following these four steps:

1. Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours for undergraduate students or 8 credit hours for graduate students (or as specified in the Academic Recovery Plan) without the benefit of financial aid. Students may take the credits at another institution of higher education if approved by their academic advisor.
2. Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates or 3.0 for graduate degree students.
3. Complete 100% of attempted credit hours.
4. Submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form to the U-M Office of Financial Aid documenting successful completion of the requirements.

Note: A student who has lost eligibility may not automatically regain it by paying out-of-pocket for the enrolled classes or sitting out (not attending) for a semester.

Contact a financial aid advisor if you have lost your financial aid eligibility and you believe you have special circumstances that relate to your SAP.  With proper documentation of circumstances (i.e., doctor's notice, letter from academic advisor, etc.), you may appeal by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. Also, contact your academic advisor to help you develop a plan for achieving good academic standing. An Academic Recovery Plan is required as part of your SAP appeal.

Grades

Only courses for which the student received a grade of A, B, C, D, P, or S are acceptable and will count as a completed course. A grade of E, F, ED, W, NR, I, or X is not acceptable and does not count as Completed for the purpose of the student's Completion Rate. Students who fail to complete at least 67% (not rounded) of attempted credit hours because of incomplete grades or who withdraw from all classes will have their financial aid terminated. See above for steps on regaining aid eligibility.

Repeated and Not-for-Credit Classes

A student repeating a course and receiving a non-passing grade may receive aid for that course under certain circumstances; see the following examples for detailed information.

A student may not receive aid to repeat a class for which a grade of I was received and was not completed within the maximum time frame set by the course instructor. Students who receive a passing grade may repeat a class once. (However, repeating classes that will not result in additional hours will not improve the students' completion rate.) Not-for-credit classes are not eligible for financial aid.

If you are repeating a course, take care that your school or college has not designated it as not-for-credit. If so, you may be required to repay some of your already disbursed financial aid.  

Terms with All Failing Grades

Students will be asked to verify attendance during a term in which all grades received are unacceptable (as defined above). Failure to verify attendance in each class will result in cancellation of all aid for the term.

Academic holds are used by U-M schools and colleges to prevent future registration by students who need to resolve academic issues. If you have an academic hold, our office will not determine your financial aid eligibility or release funds to you until the academic hold is removed by your school or college. To resolve academic hold situations, contact your school or college academic advisor.