Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Federal regulations require students receiving financial aid to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward a well-defined educational objective in order to receive aid and remain eligible for continued assistance from both state and federal programs.
SAP policy for students receiving financial aid takes into account the following:
- Qualitative measure of progress -- grade point average (GPA).
- Quantitative measure of progress -- maximum timeframe in which a student is expected to complete his program.
- Progress must be evident in both areas.
Minimum Qualitative Measures
A student failing to meet the following standards (each semester and overall) is automatically placed on financial aid probation for the ensuing semester:
Freshman | 0-29 hours | 1.5 GPA on hours attempted |
In addition to the measures above, a student will be placed on financial aid probation for failing to successfully complete the number of hours for which he/she was awarded financial aid for that period of enrollment (undergrad full-time = 12+ hours per semester; 3/4 time = 9-11 hours per semester; 1/2 time = 6-8 hours per semester) Should a student drop hours during the first twelve class days that affects their enrollment status (full; 3/4; 1/2), their financial aid will be adjusted accordingly. If, after that point in time, an enrollment status decreases (dropping hours or a withdrawal), the student shall be placed on financial aid probation for the upcoming semester. If a student receives an "incomplete" in any class, the student shall be placed on financial aid probation pending a grade determination and notification to our office.
Additional Elements
In most cases, if a student fails to make satisfactory progress during a given semester, his/her aid will be placed on financial aid probation for the next semester in attendance. However, after the student's second academic year of attendance at an institution (measured as a period of time, not by the student's grade level), the student will be placed on financial aid suspension should he/she not have at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. The maximum time frame for completing a program may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program. In most cases, the maximum time is five (5) academic years for a student to complete a four (4) year academic program.
While on financial aid probation, the student can continue to receive financial aid in the upcoming semester but must successfully complete the next 12 hours of enrollment at UMHB with a 2.0 grade point average. If the student achieves this, his/her financial aid probation will be removed. If a student fails to meet the requirements to clear the financial aid probation, the student's aid will be terminated and the student will be placed on financial aid suspension.
Once on financial aid suspension, the student can have his/her aid reinstated only after the student has successfully completed 12 semester hours with a 2.00 grade point average and re-established his/her satisfactory progress or the student has laid out 1 full regular semester as required by the Registrar's Office. At that time, the student must provide the Financial Aid Office with documentation reflecting this and request that the financial aid suspension be officially lifted.
A student may appeal the financial aid suspension by submitting a request to the Director of Financial Aid detailing why he/she did not meet the minimum financial aid requirements and why his/her aid should not be terminated. This request must be made within two weeks after having been placed on financial aid suspension. At that time, the Director of Financial Aid will review the documentation and will notify the individual of the decision. A student wishing to appeal the decision of the Financial Aid Director may do so in writing to the Financial Aid Committee.