The Department of Education requires schools to review Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to ensure that students successfully progress toward their degree requirements. Both qualitative and quantitative reviews are necessary to determine academic progress. Consequently, SAP is reviewed at the end of each semester, including summer, at Salem State University.
The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy may differ from the Salem State University School of Graduate Studies' Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students are expected to meet all the guidelines below to maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP):
- Earn at least a 3.000 (B) cumulative grade point average (qualitative review).
- Successfully complete at least 67% of attempted graduate-level coursework cumulatively (quantitative review).
- Remedial credits are not calculated in the qualitative review but are calculated in the quantitative review. Remedial credits are evaluated to ensure successful completion by the School of Graduate Studies.
- Withdrawal credits are not calculated in the qualitative review but are calculated in the quantitative review.
- Incomplete grades will not be counted in the qualitative review until the subsequent scheduled academic progress evaluation, when the coursework has been completed and a grade has been assigned. A grade of Incomplete will be counted in the quantitative review.
- Transfer credits are not calculated in the qualitative review. They are only calculated in the quantitative review.
- Repeat credits may only be taken with approval from your Program Coordinator and the Dean of the Graduate School. Credits from the course (original and repeat) will be calculated in the quantitative review, but only the repeat grade will be calculated in the qualitative review.
- Students with an approved program change will have their previous coursework excluded from their satisfactory academic progress review as long as all prior coursework is not counted towards the new degree. Financial Aid will only allow one approved program change for financial aid satisfactory academic progress purposes.
- Students have no more than six years from the date of acceptance to complete their degree requirements (some programs have seven years).
- Students who, mathematically, cannot complete their degree requirements within six years, or seven years where applicable, will become ineligible for federal financial aid. Students may appeal the time period requirement to the Graduate School.
Financial Aid Probation and the Appeal Process
Students will be notified via their Salem State email if they fail to meet the Graduate Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, and their financial aid will be suspended accordingly.
Students who become ineligible for financial aid may appeal this decision by completing and submitting the following documents:
- Graduate Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Request
- This form is completed by the student and submitted to the graduate financial aid administrator in the Financial Aid Office. The student must explain why they failed to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and what has changed so they can meet the progress requirements by the end of the next enrolled semester.
- School of Graduate Studies Academic Improvement Plan
- The student and their program coordinator complete this form. They must explain how the student will regain good Academic Standing during their probationary period.
Students will receive notification of their appeal decision via their SSU email.
If the SAP appeal is approved, students will be placed on probation and may continue to receive financial aid for one to two additional semesters while improving their academic standing. Probation is generally granted for one semester but may be granted for up to two semesters if the student successfully follows their Academic Improvement Plan.
Students granted an appeal are expected to be in good Academic Standing by the end of their probationary period; otherwise, they risk losing financial aid for additional semesters.
Students may forgo the appeal process and complete courses without federal financial aid assistance. In doing so, they may regain financial aid eligibility by the next evaluation period if they have reached a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and have successfully completed at least 67% of their cumulative attempted credits.
If the university dismisses a student at any time, their financial aid will be canceled immediately.
Students are generally eligible for one Graduate Financial Aid SAP Appeal (unless extreme circumstances are present) during their graduate studies at Salem State University.