SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Florida Memorial University is required by federal regulations to institute standards of satisfactory progress for students receiving Title IV assistance. These standards must be equal or stricter than the standards required of students who are not receiving financial assistance and contain both qualitative (grade-based-CGPA) and quantitative (time-related/PACE) standards.
In order to comply with federal regulations governing SAP, FMU has established, published, and will apply the standards outlined in this document to ensure students are satisfactorily progressing toward their college degree. Florida Memorial University monitors academic progress at the end of each semester. Academic progress for State grants is monitored annually at the end of the Spring semester. SAP must be maintained in order to remain eligible to continue receiving federal, state, and institutional financial aid. SAP progress is determined by measuring the student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and the student’s rate of progress (SAP Pace) toward completion of the degree program. These are outlined below:
· Maximum Time Frame
· Quantitative Measure (Rate of Progress)
· Qualitative Measure (Cumulative GPA)
In order to remain in good standing and retain eligibility for financial aid, undergraduate students must complete at least 67% of the courses they attempt and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Graduate students must complete at least 70% of the courses they attempt and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. In addition, students must not have reached the Maximum Time frame measure as identified above.
SAP STATUSES
Good Standing: The student is meeting all measures of the SAP policy and is in good standing.
Warning: The student has failed to meet SAP requirements with a GPA of greater than 1.9 but less than 2.0. Students on an SAP Warning are eligible for Financial Aid for one (1) semester.
Suspension – Can Appeal: A student at the end of his/her Warning period, who has not met the necessary requirements is placed on Suspension and is ineligible for financial aid. Students on suspension may file an appeal.
Appeals
A student can appeal the decision to have eligibility reinstated. In the appeal, the student must state his/her reasons for falling below SAP standards and include a plan of action to correct the situation. All appeals should be submitted to FMU Financial Aid Office within 30 calendar days of the day the suspension notice was sent.
STEPS TO THE APPEAL PROCESS
- Students must obtain a copy of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Form from the Office of Financial Aid.
- In addition to the appeal form, students must submit a typed letter of appeal and attach all necessary documents (grade change, current grade report, doctor’s statement, death certificate, accident report, etc.) to the SAP appeal form obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.
- Students must provide supporting documentation of mitigating circumstances. Applications submitted without the appropriate supporting documentation will not be considered.
- The student’s letter of appeal will be reviewed by the SAP Appeals Committee.
- Students will be contacted and notified of the decision made by the SAC whether they are approved or denied.
- If the student’s appeal is approved, the student must work with the academic advisor to develop an approved Academic Plan. The Academic Plan must ensure that students will reach the required GPA and PACE within two semesters.
- Once the Academic Plan has been approved, the student will be reviewed for eligibility and an award letter issued electronically.
- Students with approved appeals are expected to follow their SAP Academic
- Appeal Approved – if a student’s appeal is approved, the student is eligible for financial aid, and the plan is reviewed at the end of each term.
- Appeal Denied – If a student’s appeal is denied, the student will not be eligible for financial aid. A student may still continue to attend the university but the student would be responsible for finding alternative resources to pay all costs associated with enrollment.
Academic Plan/Probation: A student who successfully appeals their Suspension status is placed on an Academic Plan. Academic Plans are probationary statuses. Once an academic plan has been created the plan dictates the SAP standard for the student and must be followed. If the student is unable to achieve the plan, he/she will no longer be eligible for financial aid and will be responsible for paying for his/her own tuition until the student can meet the minimum SAP requirements.
Special Circumstances to Accept Appeals:
- Impact on mental or physical health
- Illness, accident, or injury
- Death or loss of a family member or significant person in the student’s life
- Illness, accident, or injury of a significant person in the student’s life
- Victimization of a violent crime or natural disaster
- Maximum time frame exceeded because of pursuing a second degree or working on a dual degree program.
Example of Supporting Documentation:
- Doctor’s Notes/Statement, appointments, prescriptions, and indications
- Copy of hospital/urgent care/physician’s bill showing the dates of the student’s stay
- Obituary, Funeral notice, or death certificate
- Police records or Court documents
- Statement from professional consulted
- Other documentation that supports appeal statement