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Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students applying for financial aid at Sacramento State must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid.

These standards apply to all applicants, regardless of whether financial aid was received during enrollment at Sacramento State or at any previous institution. Students who do not meet SAP standards are not eligible for financial aid.

Sacramento State evaluates SAP standing annually, and the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office begins notifying students of their SAP status in early June. If the student is not meeting Sacramento State’s SAP policy requirements, the notification will explain which SAP Standard is not being met and provide information about the appeal process.

Students can view their current SAP Standing on My Sac Student Center by selecting “Satisfactory Acad Progress” in the Finances section.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Federal law requires all students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as a requirement to receive financial aid. A students SAP status is measured in all three areas, and all three areas must be met.

  1. Overall Degree Progress Standard
  2. Minimum Cumulative GPA Standard
  3. Satisfactory Pace Standard

Overall Degree Progress Standard

Students are required to complete their degree/certificate within 150 percent of their program degree objective.

All graded coursework are counted, including transfer units, repeats, in-progress and withdrawals. SAP review also incorporates all unsuccessful coursework attempted at Sacramento State (i.e. “F”, “I”, “NC”, “W”, “WU”).

Probation Warning

Students who have completed 120 percent of attempted coursework will receive a warning notification. This early warning enables the student to seek academic advisement for degree completion.

Minimum Cumulative GPA Standard

Students must meet the annual minimum cumulative GPA based on their career program.

  • 3.0: Graduate (Doctoral, 2nd Masters, and Credential)
  • 2.5: Second Bachelors
  • 2.0: Undergraduate

Satisfactory Pace Standard

The satisfactory pace standard is an overall ratio of Sacramento State units earned to Sacramento State units attempted. Students must pass at least 67 percent of units attempted.

All graded coursework are counted, including repeats, in-progress and withdrawals. SAP review also incorporates all unsuccessful coursework attempted at Sacramento State (i.e. “F”, “I”, “NC”, “W”, “WU”). Transfer units are not included in this calculation.

Appeal Decisions

Approved

Students with approved appeals are placed on Financial Aid Probation and must meet Probation Standards to remain eligible for aid.

Not Approved

First Level Review

If the decision at the first level of a SAP Appeal results in "Not Approved" determination, the SAP Appeal is routed for secondary review by the SAP Appeal Committee.

Second Level Review

The SAP Appeal Committee may consult campus partners as appropriate during the review process.

The Appeal Committee will determine if the Appeal is Approved, Not Approved, or additional documentation may be needed to complete the review. In cases where additional documentation is needed, the student will be contacted.

If the appeal is not approved at the 2nd level review, the student will be notified of the review outcome. The student may consider the following options to help fund the semester and/or the remainder of their program:

  • Consider reducing your enrollment to part-time status (6 units or fewer), which may lower your tuition costs and make attendance more affordable.
  • If continuing this term is not feasible, you may withdraw before the University refund deadline to receive any eligible refund of fees paid.
  • Explore taking courses at a Community College, which may offer a more affordable option. We encourage you to discuss this possibility with an Academic Advisor to understand how it may impact your academic plan.
  • Consider applying for a credit-based alternative loan if you need additional funding to help cover your educational expenses.

Appeal Probation Standards

Probation is a temporary status that allows a student who is not currently meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to continue receiving financial aid after a successful appeal. During this period, the student is expected to meet the conditions outlined in their academic plan or improve their academic performance to regain good standing.

Federal regulations require that the student make SAP progress at the end of their probation semester before they can continue to receive aid. Students on a probation status, must pass the following two grade check reviews from coursework attempted during the Probation semester:

  1. Pass at least 67% (Satisfactory Standard Pace) of the courses attempted during the Probation semester.
  2. Receive grades that meet the minimum GPA specific to the student's academic plan:
    • Undergraduate students must earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.0
    • Second Bachelor must earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.5
    • Graduate or Credential must earn a minimum semester GPA of 3.0