FLORIDA A&M GUIDELINES FOR
SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Introduction

Frequency of Monitoring and Evaluation

SAP APPEAL FORM & ACADEMIC PLAN (CLICK HERE)

policy and procedures

To remain eligible for financial assistance students must:

1.                  Complete at least 67 percent all of attempted courses each year, which will ensure graduation within the maximum timeframe;

2.                  Complete developmental and incomplete courses in a timely manner;

3.                  Graduate within the maximum timeframe (150 percent) specific to their degree programs;

4.                  Maintain good academic standing.

Satisfactory Academic Progress is based on three components:

1.                  Qualitative Progress (grade point average)

2.                  Quantitative Progress (hours earned)

Qualitative and Quantitative Progress

Attempted hours are defined as the hours for which the student is enrolled and charged.

Grades A, B, C, D, P and S shall be considered as credits earned.

Grades E, I, F, PN, U, W, WF, NR, or X count as attempted hours for the purpose of determining SAP. Failing grades (F and WF) are included in the GPA calculation.

Withdrawing from courses at any point after the drop/add period will negatively affect the students completion rate. Withdrawals (W) are not used in the GPA calculations.

Incomplete grades (I) are not factored in to the GPA until a letter grade is recorded. Grade changes will be recognized when they occur.

Qualitative progress (Grade Point Average)

Florida A&M University uses a graduated qualitative standard. Federal student aid recipients must have earned the following minimum cumulative retention/graduation grade point average.

The law specifies that at the end of the second academic year (regardless of how many credits the student has accrued) the student must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA average or its equivalent or have an academic standing consistent with the requirement for graduation from the program.

Quantitative Progress

A student (full time or part time) must successfully complete a minimum of 67 percent of the cumulative credit hours attempted during the academic year.

Example: 

MAXIMUM TIMEFRAME

All undergraduate and graduate students are expected to finish their program within a maximum time frame, which cannot exceed 150% of the published length of their program. All attempted credit hours are considered toward the maximum time calculation, regardless of whether or not financial aid is received. Once a student reaches the maximum timeframe, he or she is ineligible for financial aid. The SAP Appeals Committee may reevaluate the timeframe limit if there are program changes.

      Example:

Some academic areas require more than 120 hours for graduation. For those academic areas, the maximum timeframe to complete the degree will be the specific program hours required multiplied by 150 percent.

transfer credits

·               All hours attempted at Florida A&M University plus attempted hours from other post-secondary institutions, that count towards the degree, are included in the maximum time frame of 180 hours to complete the first undergraduate degree.

·               Transfer students must meet the same satisfactory academic progress requirements and maximum enrollment limits as other students.

Repeated Courses and Academic Forgiveness in Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

Repeated courses for which a passing grade has already been earned will not be considered in the determination of satisfactory progress as those hours have already been applied.

Notification of Financial Aid Probation or Termination

The Office of Student Financial Aid will send a letter to any student who is put on financial aid probation or a termination letter to any student who is no longer eligible for financial aid. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain current addresses with the Office of the Registrar. Students on Academic Probation are notified by the University of their standing. The financial aid office does not send notification of Academic Probation.

appeal of financial aid suspension

Students who fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards may appeal the suspension of their student financial assistance funds to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee. Letters of appeal should be based on some type of mitigating circumstances that impacted negatively upon the student’s ability to meet the required standards. These circumstances must be documented and should pertain to all terms that contributed to the failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Failure to submit documentation and follow instructions will result in a delay in the decision of your appeal. All appeals and relevant documentation are kept in the student’s file.

Extenuating circumstances that will be considered in an appeal include, but are not limited to, the following:

A student’s appeal must explain the circumstances that prevented him/her from making SAP and the reasons for the basis of this appeal. The student must address the following:

1.                  What was the problem?

2.                  When did the problem occur?

3.                  How long did the problem last?

4.                  How did this affect his/her ability to complete coursework?

5.                  The steps taken to ensure that the minimum standards will be met at the next evaluation.

Extenuating circumstances that will not be considered in an appeal include, but are not limited to, the following:

·                     Complaint about instructor/course/staff/University policy.

·                     Failure to study/immaturity.

·                     Childcare and/or transportation problems (ex. losing driver’s license due to excessive tickets).

·                     Failure to read, understand, and follow published Financial Aid and University policy.

Students who cannot meet the above requirements for an appeal must reestablish Satisfactory Academic Progress through Reinstatement before regaining eligibility for assistance.

SAP APPEAL LIMITS

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee may grant or deny any SAP appeal.  The maximum number of appeals any student may normally have granted during the total of all their enrollment periods at FAMU is two (2). Under extreme circumstances, a third appeal may be granted, provided that the student has documented proof of the circumstances. In the case of a student who files a third appeal, the reasons for the students' two previous appeals will be considered when making a decision. The student’s progress within their academic program will be a determining factor on the rare occasion when a third appeal is allowed.

DEADLINES FOR SAP APPEALS

reestablishing eligibility for federal student aid

Reinstatement of Academic Standards

PROBATIONARY STATUS

A student who has successfully appealed shall be placed on financial aid probation for one evaluation period. If at the end of the next evaluation period, a student on financial aid probation status:

1.      Has met the institution's cumulative grade point average and completion percentage

      standards, the student shall be returned to good standing.

               2.      Has NOT met the institution's cumulative grade point average and completion percentage standards but has met the conditions specified in his/her academic plan, the student shall retain his/her financial aid eligibility under a 
                 continued probationary status for one subsequent semester.  

3.      Has NOT met the institution's cumulative grade point average and completion percentage standards and has also not met the conditions specified in his/her academic plan, the student's financial aid shall be suspended
            immediately upon completion of the evaluation.

REINSTATEMENT

Students who have been suspended from financial aid (including those who have lost financial aid eligibility due to academic suspension) may seek reinstatement by achieving, without the benefit of the aid from which they have been suspended, both the cumulative 67 percent completion rate and cumulative 2.00 GPA required. Reinstatement may be requested for the term after this occurs.

Student with grade changes, after notifying Student Financial Aid of the grade change, including grades posted for incomplete courses, may regain eligibility should these changes result in satisfactory progress.

Students requesting evaluation of grade changes or reinstatement must complete the SAP Financial Aid Reinstatement Form; the office cannot automatically evaluate the progress of students who have met the reinstatement conditions or have had grade changes.