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Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

WIU Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards are developed to help you graduate and are required and guided by federal regulations. Beginning with Fall 2011 grades, progress is measured for all students at the end of each term and you are required to meet the standards in order to be eligible for financial aid for the next term of enrollment (Fall, Spring, or Summer).

Policy Standards

  1. You must earn credit for at least 67% of the total cumulative hours you have attempted (includes transfer, incomplete, and withdraw hours),
  2. You must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA , AND
  3. Your attempted hours must not exceed 150% of the hours required for graduation (i.e., 180 hours for a 120 hour degree, 45 hours for a 30 hour degree).

If you do not meet SAP standards

  • You will be sent an email notification if you have not met the standards.
  • If you have earned less than 67% cumulative hours and/or have less than a 2.0 cumulative GPA, you lose eligibility for aid and must appeal if you want aid reinstated.
  • However, a one-timeSAP Warning status for one term is automatically allowed and you retain financial aid eligibility if you
    • Have earned 50-66% cumulative hours and have a 2.0 GPA or are on Registrar’s Academic Probation or Academic Warning, or
    • Have earned 67% cumulative hours and are on Registrar’s Academic Probation or Academic Warning.
    Note: Warning not allowed if you earns less than 50% cumulative hours or are Academically Suspended.
  • If you have attempted more than 150% of hours required for a degree, you lose eligibility for aid and must appeal if you want aid reinstated for one additional term. No additional time is granted to pursue a second major or second minor.
  • If your appeal is successful, your eligibility is reinstated and you are
    • Placed on Financial Aid Probation for one term and required to regain 67% pace and 2.0 GPA, OR
    • required to follow a multi-term Academic Plan to maintain eligibility until you regain 67% pace of hours earned/attempted and 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Limit of three appeals.
  • Reinstatement is not allowed if you cannot re-establish eligibility within the 150% maximum time frame.

Note: GPA for a student granted a New Start by the university must be calculated for SAP using all grades. Therefore, the SAP GPA will not match the official university GPA for a New Start student.

Re-Establishing Eligibility if You Do Not Appeal or are Denied Reinstatement

Eligibility will be re-established once you have earned 67% of total hours attempted (including transfer hours), have a 2.0 GPA, and have not exceeded 150% of the hours required for graduation in your degree program.

How to Appeal

Submit your appeal on line. Your appeal cannot be considered after the official end of the term. Your appeal MUST include:

  • What circumstances occurred that caused you to NOT make satisfactory progress,
  • What has changed that will allow you to regain 67% pace and 2.0 GPA standards, and
  • Email confirmation from your Academic Advisor that he/she approves your courses for the term of appeal.

Acceptable reasons for appeal include:

  • Death of a relative,
  • Injury or illness of the student, or
  • Other special circumstances.

Additional information that may be requested:

  • Documentation of circumstances from you – required for second and third appeals.
  • Confirmation of use of university services based on individual circumstances (UCC, tutoring, etc.)
  • Confirmation of hours not required for degree from Academic Advisor – used if you are close to 150% limit and have changed your major or have transfer hours.
  • Academic Plan – required if you cannot get back to 67% of attempted hours earned and back to 2.0 GPA in one term.

The Appeal Process

First appeal is reviewed by Associate Director.

  • If your appeal is denied, you are not eligible until you meet the standards. If you appeal the denial, the appeal is reviewed by committee.
  • If your appeal is approved, you are placed on one term of Probation and required to meet pace and GPA requirement at the end of the term or put on Academic Plan if you need more than one term to be in good standing.

After 1st Probation term:

  • If you meet the SAP standards, you are no longer a SAP problem.
  • If you are following the terms of your Academic Plan, your eligibility continues.
  • If you do not meet requirements, you not eligible for aid. See Re-establishing Eligibility.
  • You may appeal again.

Second appeal process is the same as the first.

Third appeal is reviewed by the Financial Aid Advisory Committee (FAAC). FAAC is made up of representatives from other administrative offices and chaired by Financial Aid Associate Director.

  • If your appeal is denied, you are not eligible until you meet the standards. See Re-establishing Eligibility.
  • If your appeal is approved, you are placed on one term of Probation and required to meet pace and GPA requirement at the end of the term or put on an Academic Plan if you need more than one term to be in good standing.

After Third Probation term:

  • If you meet SAP standards, you are no longer a SAP problem.
  • If you are following terms of your Academic Plan, eligibility continues.
  • If you do not meet requirements, you are not eligible for aid. See Re-establishing Eligibility.
  • No further appeals accepted.

Board of Trustees and Irregular Classes

Please note that extended deadlines for completion of course requirements are academic extensions only and do not apply to eligibility for financial aid. Students receiving state or federal financial aid should complete course work by the official end of each term to avoid future problems. This includes BOT and non-traditional classes, such as independent study, weekend/irregular and on-line. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.