Satisfactory Academic Progress

The U.S. Department of Education mandates that institutions of higher education establish minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students receiving financial aid. The University of North Georgia (UNG) applies these standards to all applicants for federal financial aid, state financial aid and UNG Foundation Scholarships. Students who fail to meet one or more of the criteria listed below are not meeting SAP and may lose financial aid eligibility. Determination of SAP will be made at the completion of each semester.

1. Grade Point Average Requirements – Grades from all institutional and transfer coursework will be used to determine an overall grade point average (GPA). To be eligible for financial aid, an undergraduate student must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0. Graduate students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0. Grades for which a student has been granted Academic Renewal and grades for repeated courses will be included in this GPA, which will differ from the academic GPA. Grades for Learning Support (LS) courses will not be factored into the GPA, but may be used to measure progress during the terms when the student is enrolled in only these courses. Dual Enrollment students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5. 

2. Pace of Progression Requirements – Student financial aid recipients at UNG must show measurable progress toward earning a degree or certificate. This is achieved by successfully completing at least sixty-seven percent (67.0%) of all institutional and transfer coursework. 
   
   Semester hours completed will be those college level courses in which a grade of A, B, C, or D was received. Hours attempted will include all college level courses in which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, I, NR, W, or WF was received. Hours for repeated courses and hours for which a student has been granted Academic Renewal will be included in the completed hours and/or attempted hours totals. Hours for coursework receiving a grade of CR or K, along with any Learning Support courses will not be included, but may be used to measure progress during the terms when the student is enrolled in only these courses.

3. Maximum Length of Study Requirements – Federal regulations require that schools measure a student’s pace of progression to ensure the completion of their program of study within the established maximum length of study. Eligible students may receive financial aid for up to 150% of the college level course hours required for a degree or certificate. Hours for repeated courses and hours for which a student has been granted academic renewal will be counted as part of the maximum length of study.
   
   Transfer coursework will be counted as part of the maximum length of study. Hours for coursework receiving a grade of CR or K, along with any Learning Support courses will not be included. However, students are allowed to receive financial aid for no more than 30 semester hours of Learning Support courses.
   
   Once a student exceeds the maximum length of study, they will no longer be considered meeting SAP toward their program of study and will not be eligible for financial aid. Students will be notified by email of their right to request an extension. Students with prior certificates or degrees are given a limited amount of additional time to pursue new educational goals. A total of two degrees or certificates at the same level will be allowed.

*The Maximum Length of Study does not extend beyond the completion of coursework for a degree or certificate.

Determination of a student’s SAP will be made at the completion of each semester. Dual Enrollment students must contact Imani Cabell for appeal instructions. All other students who do not meet the SAP standards will be classified as follows.

1. SAP Academic Plan – A student who was making good progress then fails to meet SAP standards will be placed on a SAP Academic Plan. The student will be required to sign a document indicating their understanding of the academic plan requirements. The student will then be eligible to receive financial aid for that semester for which they otherwise qualify. Evaluation of the student’s SAP will be made at the end of the semester to determine if they have met the stipulations of successfully completing all courses and earning at least a 2.5 GPA for the term. Meeting the stipulations will allow for financial aid eligibility for the next semester unless the student has reached the Maximum Length of Study Limit. Once a student is making Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the standards, they will no longer be subject to the academic plan.

2. SAP Appeal Plan – A student who was unable to meet the stipulations under the SAP Academic Plan will no longer be eligible for financial aid, but will retain the right to appeal the determination based on extenuating circumstances. Students must complete the SAP Appeal Form.

3. Maximum Length of Study Appeal Plan – A student who has reached the threshold of the Maximum Length of Study in pursuit of their degree or certificate is no longer eligible for financial aid, but will retain the right to appeal the determination based on extenuating circumstances. Students must complete the SAP Maximum Length of Study Appeal Form.

Financial Aid Appeals will be reviewed by the financial aid director with guidance from an SAP Appeal Committee comprised of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs personnel. A decision will be made in of two ways:

Once eligibility for financial aid has been denied by the SAP Appeal Committee, a student can only regain financial aid eligibility by meeting the SAP standards. A previously denied student who meets minimum GPA and pace of progression requirements, but has exceeded the maximum length of study, cannot regain eligibility.